The 2009 NBA off-season has one of the NBA’s best due to a good draft class and even bigger free agent market. In fact, this off-season period has been one of the biggest in recent years because so many of the 2009 playoff teams have either signed or traded for big names in order to win the 2010 championship.
All of these moves are to win the 2010 Championship. It's as simple as that.
While the NBA off-season is still going on I’ve decided to take a look at the top contenders from this past playoff series that have a legitimate chance to win a ring. However, I'm excluding the Denver Nuggets simply because they have not made a big off-season move and the Portland Trailblazers because their offer for Paul Millsap has yet to go through. And sorry Rocket fans, Artest's departure and Ariza's signing puts the team back into developing mode.
These 5 playoff teams were among the top in the league last year, and with these moves, they figure to stay there.
The Los Angeles Lakers
RON ARTEST
UPSIDE
One of the most versatile players. Consistent line of Points, Rebounds, Steals and Assists. As your 3rd or 4th option (behind Kobe, Gasol and at times Odom, assuming he stays), that’s not bad at all. He is also on of the NBA’s best one-on-one defenders.
DOWNSIDE
New chemistry in the locker room and on the court. Fewer shot opportunities for Kobe and Gasol. Artest strives off touches and can create his own shot of the dribble. He averaged 15 shot attempts, while Ariza averaged around 7. The Lakers’ offensive flow is definitely going to be disrupted. Plus Artest still attracts drama.
OVERALL
Kobe’s got his enforcer. If Odom stays, Artest is going to have to sacrifice his stat line but seeing that he took less money to become a Laker, I’m sure it won’t be a problem. If Odom leaves, Artest’s production will be more like last season. They’re going to be fine during the regular season. There is no real competition in Pacific Division (The rest are all “developing”). What the Lakers need to worry about is their team’s chemistry. Hopefully too much “star-power” won’t be there demise in the playoffs. GRADE: B
The Orlando Magic
VINCE CARTER
UPSIDE
They got their “Go-To Guy”. Make no mistake, Dwight Howard is still the face of the Franchise, but he still lacks the finesse of an offensive game and the veteran tenacity to win. That’s why they brought in Carter.
Lewis and Nelson are savvy veterans, but they fit better as roles players. With Turkoglu in Toronto and Courtney Lee off to the Nets, the Magic can shift back Lewis to his natural 3 spot and Carter will get the 2 spot.
DOWNSIDE
Carter reinforces their“3-Ball” approach, which isn’t the best way to win games. It’s like Blackjack, you can win big, but you can also lose big.
OVERALL
With Turkoglu out and Carter in, they are so much better. He fits well into their system. They need veteran leadership. Think of Carter and Howard as the poor man’s Shaq & Kobe. They will contend. GRADE: A
Other Key Addition(s): Brandon Bass – brings a needed rebounder to help out Dwight Howard.
The Cleveland Cavaliers
SHAQUILLE O'NEAL
UPSIDEShaq is still a prominent force. He can still rebound, block and score with the best of the true centers (a dying breed right now). Savvy Veteran loved around the league. Championship experience. Paired with LeBron, this team will get the most media coverage.
DOWNSIDE
Even more pressure. The deal for Shaq is to win NOW. Anything less the NBA Finals, would be seen as a failure. The other teams have excuses. The Lakers already won, the Magic are still young and inexperienced, the Celtics are too old and the Spurs can't keep up with the young guns of the West. There is NO EXCUSE for the Cavs. Shaq has already been doing his own PR and has stated his motto for the season is to “Win a Ring, for the King”. He also said in Sports Illustrated, that if the 2010 Finals were the Lakers versus the Cavs, it would be “the most watched NBA Finals in history”. Talk about pressure.
OVERALL
The Cavs have everything to prove and everything to lose. The deal for Shaq shows LeBron that they are ready to win now so it’s a great move to keep the King in his castle. GRADE: A
Other Key Addition(s): Anthony Parker – excellent swingman. The Jack-of-All-Trades. Can provide for a deep bench threat and also start at the 2 spot as big guard for the smaller Delonte West. Way better than having Wally Szczerbiak around.
The Boston Celtics
RASHEED WALLACE
UPSIDEJust like Shaq he still has a lot left in his tank. Brings more championship experience. He can provide for a deep bench and also give Garnett rest. Spreads the floor with the 3-ball threat. Scalabrine is crying somewhere for playing time now.
DOWNSIDE
Sheed still brings the drama and he’s got nothing to lose. He’s won his rings and is not the hungry veteran like Shaq. If the Celtics don’t treat him right, prepare for an implosion. Also Rasheed is still a star and teams with too many “stars” don’t workout without some sacrifice. They already have the Big 3, plus the emerging Rondo. And they decided to add another big ego? Let’s see how they co-exist.
OVERALL
I am still wondering how well this move was. It definitely seems exciting for now, but keep in mind that they’re BIG 4 of Garnett, Allen, Pierce, and now Wallace, are all past their prime. The younger Bulls proved to be just as athletic and kept up with these ageless wonders. I would have liked to see the Celtics bring in a younger established talent to learn from their veterans. But I understand that the Celtics window of opportunity for another ring is closing, so the now solution of Wallace is good enough. GRADE: B
The San Antonio Spurs
RICHARD JEFFERSON
UPSIDE A younger, athletic scoring spark for a team that lacks an offensive punch. He will be a starter than takes off pressure from Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. He’s reinsurance for when any of the Spur’s own Big 3 go down for injury and is a crucial part of the Spurs defeating the Lakers now, since the match up is better.
DOWNSIDE
Lacks the defensive skills of the traded Bruce Bowen & Kurt Thomas.
OVERALL
The Spurs are possibly the best-run organization in the NBA. LA and Boston are both in “popular” cities that have a big sense of tradition and glamour that attracts all players to them. The Spurs are from the lesser know San Antonio, but are building their own traditions and have established winning seasons consistently. The Spurs are like The Patriots of the NFL, never count them out. They know how to rebuild and when to make a run for the Championship. The Spurs know what they are doing and this is the perfect move to win the West. GRADE: A
Other Key Addition(s): Antonio McDyess – improves their frontline with an established and hardworking big man. Duncan hasn’t had this talented of a big-man since David Robinson retired.
While there will be many surprise and sleeper teams next year that could make a run for it, these 5 teams are gonna be there standing there alongside and most likely in the way.
5 comments:
Nice article Drewski,
I agree with you that the Spurs are the best run organization in the league, and may have had the best offseason so far. But I'm not sure about the SHAQ trade for cleveland.
I think they still need to get more pieces to be able to compete in the East since every other championship caliber team improved as well.
Yea really good article...
I agree with Tmike in the Cleveland is still missing ONE piece. They are definitely competitive for the ring, they just need to seal the deal with one more player.
What about Dallas? They added Marion and are possibly getting Bosh... if they get Bosh, correct me if I'm wrong, but they will be the strongest contenders
Eventhough Gortat did not want to stay in Orlando, I'm thinking its a good move by the Magic management.
Nelson, Carter, Lewis, Bass/Gortat, Howard. Thats a decent starting lineup if you ask me. Hopefully my boy Reddick will get back to his college days.
Oh, you can't forget to keep an eye out for the Miami Heat. They're close to getting both Odom and Boozer, if that happens, I believe they are a close 2-3 good moves to being a contender.
Good stuff here. But, which team are you most excited to see? You know with the Spurs trade, I might actually like one of the Texas NBA Teams now...
I think the magic might be the favorites in the east right now. Yes they lost Hedo but what they've gained in Brandon Bass and Vince Carter improves them more, than if they had just kept Hedo.
If the heat get odom and boozer we might basically be looking at the poor mans lakers in the east with less depth which would be very interesting
With the arms race going on in the NBA its like the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. I can't remember a time in the league when there was this much disparity in talent between teams.
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