Thursday, February 24, 2011

NBA Trade Deadline: Biggest Winners & Losers This Year...


Its hard to think that the NBA can change so dramatically in a 24 hour period. But it happened. It was like, at the last minute, or final hour, the NBA made all these changes that most fans didn't see coming & likely didn't approve of. At first anyway. But let's look at the bigger picture shall we? Most teams know by now whether or not they are a real "contender" for the NBA title in 2011. And it should be obvious at this point who are the top 6 teams in the league. Spurs, Celtics, Heat, Mavs, Lakers & Bulls. In that order, at least from where I sit. But that doesn't mean that these teams know they aren't suffering at some capacity. Spurs & Celtics have a lot of age. Celtics & Bulls are dealing with a lot injuries that is holding them back I feel from being even better. Lakers are having all kinds of problems staying focused. Heat has the inexperience of their big 3 playing together. Then there is the Mavs. Well, they have never been constant. Ever. I mean look at the only time they got to the finals. They were 2-0 in the series against the Heat & lost 4 straight to lose the NBA title. But enough for that, lets look at some trades.

Just today there have been many team altering trades, some shake the foundation of the organization. Cavs got in early on the day & made some surprising moves: Mo Williams and Jamario Moon to the Clippers for Baron Davis and a 2011 first-round draft pick & second round pick to the Celtics for Luke Harangody and Semih Erden. Getting Baron Davis is not a great move with losing Mo Williams, who can light up from 3 point range at will. But making the trade with the Celtics gives them depth & a good looking future.

Timerwolves lost Corey Brewer to the Knicks but get Eddie Curry. In my eyes, the T'Wolves come out good on this move.

Kings sent Carl Laundry to the Hornets for Marcus Thronton. There is no question that the Hornets came out on top with this trade. Let's face it, the Kings have one thing that always sets them back: bad trades. The Kings ownership are always looking to make the most with paying the littlest possible. It just don't work that way. They never learn.

Wizards sent Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong to the Hawks for Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans, Jordan Crawford and a 2011 first-round pick. Mike Bibby just can't get any love anymore it looks like. Bibby can make a difference & would have in Atlanta. But now, with John Wall, will definitely make one in Washington. I think this is really a pretty even trade for all involved.

Memphis sent Hasheem Thabeet and a first-round pick to Houston for Shane Battier and Ish Smith. I LOVE this trade for Memphis, who seem to be always getting a little better every year. Being relatively close to Memphis, I have been quitely rooting for them for years. When Iverson was traded there I was ecstatic. That didn't last long. Let's hope Shane Battier does work.

Along with sending Erden & Harangody to the Cavs, the Celtics also sent Kendrick Perkins & Nate Robinson to the OKC Thunder for Jeff green & Nenad Krstic. Now being a HUGE Celtics fan, I hated all these trades. Fact is, there is something about all these guys they traded that I love & think adds to the team. However, Danny Ainge felt differently. Now he said this is a business & he is trying to build for the future. I agree. But it don't mean that I gotta like it. Then to make matters worse, they sent Marquis Daniels to the Kings for a future 2nd round pick. The guy has a spinal bruise & is going to be out most of if not the rest of the year. I think it is just a bad treatment to a guy that could have serious problems now that he sustained for the team to be traded. But then again, C's are my team & I have a vested interest in what they do. Like it or love it, & I am going to criticize. Just who I am.

Of course the Nets scored Deron Williams from the Jazz. Do we even need to explain how that looks. Nets got a great move that is going to benefit them, that is if D-Will signs an extension with them. Unlikely though. But maybe they can move him later & again get something even better down the road to help them rebuild going forward. D-Will, whether anyone wants to agree with it or not, the reason that Jerry Sloan retired from the Jazz. So in the last month, the Jazz lost their franchise coach & their franchise player. Seems to me like the Jazz's stock is going way down this season. Usually when a teams stock falls that fast, it usually takes a few years to get back to being a decent team again. Then perhaps even a few more years to get back into contention. Don't get me wrong, the Jazz still have a good team, but let's face it. That was Deron Williams they traded. One of the top 3 point guards in the league. Rose & perhaps Rondo being in front of him. Dude can make everyone around him good. That is why he is a top point guard. He can get it done.

Then there is Melo. He is the big name that had to make a move. Had tons of "Melo drama" over the last few months. I blogged about it on my site a week ago before move was made. But The Knicks have to be the overall winner of the NBA trades for best move. Fact is, they got Melo. One of the top 5 players in the NBA. Plus they got Chauncey Billups. Which, whether you believe it or not, is going to be a great asset for them. Did you hear the response he got from the crowd at the MSG? They love him & he is going to be a great leader for that team. People need to think of them as the big 3 in New York now, to go along with Boston, Miami & others in the East.

As a result of the trades, the East is now so stacked. I'll let you decide on who the real winners & losers are after this. Cause in the end, you are going to make up your own mind. But that is how its supposed to be. Cause these are your teams. Love em or hate em, this us your league. Lets your voices be heard...

You can follow me on Twitter as well. Always lots of good stuff from me on Twitter. My twitter handle is @theanswerchaos...

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