Post by the original michael on Jun 20, 2020 9:06:14 GMT -8
Around the League, Episode 1
A look at each team with comments and suggestions for possible additions to their squad..
The first wave of Contract Year (CY) is here and the Atlanta Hawks are on the bubble. Currently, it's not looking to hot right now for the Hawks. The definitely need to limit their turnovers and improve their bigs. Their big men are currently averaging a combined 4.6 turnovers per game. This number is ridiulously high, especially when you compare it to their combined 4 stocks. Not a great ratio. Outlaw and Eschmeyer are not starters and may not even be rotational players at this point. If Atlanta is able to improve their power forward and center, they may be fine. If not, we'll have a new GM soon.
The Boston Celtics are boring. Yah, I said it. They have Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace, but it seems like they've sat on this team for a while. The Celtics need to mix it up a bit and make a splash. Iverson is entering free agency and his value seems very high. Now is the time to deal him for the Celtics. The .500 squad should make a move regardless, either to add a win now piece, or to tank. Being mediocre isn't good.
I like what the New Jersey Nets are doing right now. Joe Johnson is one of the best scorers in the league. Okur is an interesting piece and old man Charlie Ward is low key one of the better point guards in the league. I would like to see the Nets go out and acquire a shot blocking big, while I think will really put their team over the top.
The trade that saw Zydrunas Ilgauskas shipped to the New Orleans Hornets hurt. He is a decent big, but they traded away Caron Butler and multiple firsts, which may come back to bite them in the ass. Elton Brand is absolutely dead. The Hornets do have the stocks monster at point guard in Paccelis Morlende, so that is a plus. This team needs to deal Brand and shake things up. I'm not really sure what they need to do, but they need to mix things up.
Is Amare Stoudemire the franchise player for the Chicago Bulls? That is the question right now. The tanking Bulls and probably hoped that Amare would be more developed at this point, but he is still raw. His turnovers are high and rebounds/blocks are low. Personally, I think the Bulls should look to capitalize on his name value and ship him off for future assets. I'm all for a complete tear down. Trade Amare, Hughes, Wally, etc.
Are the Cleveland Cavaliers really a .500 team? I think the answer is NO. But after 17 games, the stats say they are close to it. It may be time for Cleveland to facelift this roster. They have not won a title, despite being one of the best teams the last 3 season. Maybe this roster as constructed can't win? It's looking that way. I'd love to see Cleveland deal off everyone and reconstruct this roster.
Dwayne Wade is the franchise player for the Dallas Mavericks. There is no question about it. The rest of the roster leaves a lot to be desired outside of AK47. I don't believe they own their picks in 2004 and 2005, but with Wade and AK, they will never be in the lottery. The question will be; can they be a title contender? I expect the Mavs to trade off Dejan Bodiroga for a piece that aligns with the future of Wade and AK. We'll see shortly as habes is always very active.
It's no longer a retirement home for the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets claimed they were tanking without their pick, however, the team finds themselves at 9-6 after the first few weeks of the season. I would like to see the Nuggets and Jazz strike a deal, where the Nuggets ship the Bucks 04 1st to Utah for the rights to Denvers 04 1st. It makes sense for both squads. The Nuggets can then sell off all assets and tank in piece with Carmelo Anthony.
Another tanking team is the Detroit Pistons. This team has no talent, no valuable pieces on their roster. They may be able to coerce a GM into taking Ron Aretst based on name value alone. It's a very ugly roster, but I realize they are tanking. At the same time, accumulate any and all assets that you can and that means trading Artest, KMart, Diop, Vlad Rad, and Qrich. Get to it galo!
The Golden State Warriors received a lot of shit for their Dirk and Billups trades. At least they received an interesting piece in one of the deals, acquiring Gerald Wallace. He looks like Shawn Marion should have looked like. The turnovers are still high, but if they come down, he'll be a great piece with whoever the Warriors pick in the lottery. I'd like to see them hold course and continue to ride the tank for the rest of the season. Good job!
The Houston Rockets can score the basketball. Ahsan has received a ton of shit league wide through the first 3 seasons, but he's put together a great squad. He acquired Vince Carter for shitty Marion and the 7th pick, which turned out nicely for him. Moiso was a nice pickup. However, I don't believe the Rockets can contend with Nick Van Exel at point gaurd. I would like to see them go out and acquire a point guard, like El-Amin or Vujanic!
The Indiana Pacers can also score with their version of the splash bros with Gilbert Arenas and newly acquired Arvydas Macijauskas. The trade drew a lot of heat league wide, but the Pacers did go 7-2 this last time and improved their +- by 4PPG. This team is severely lacking in perimeter defense and rebounding. They need to add some stocks at the wings and a rebounding 3rd big if they wish to contend.
Tim Duncan is still the guy for the Los Angeles Clippers. As long as they have him, they'll contend. Outside of Duncan and Larry Johnson, the roster is bare. This team desperately lacks perimeter shooting. I'd like to see some A or A- shooters on this team after the deadline.
What a transformation for the Los Angeles Lakers. Nanz has arguably done the best job with his team the last season. The Dirk trade was a huge W. The JO trade was amazing as well. The only hole on this roster is the PF position. Calvin Booth is hurting him with the high turnovers and lack of stocks. If he corrects that, this league is in big trouble.
Tank Tank for the Memphis Grizzlies. Big Z bolted in free agency, leaving Memphis no choice but to tank. The Griz went out and signed Marbury in FA; however, Marbury will not be a Grizz for long. At some point this season, he will be gone for any assets he can get.
The Miami Heat are consistently good. Zach Randolph can score with the best of them. PJ Brown and Jahidi White make up for the lack of blocks by Zbo. Ricky Davis and Michael Finley on the wings can score well. I'm not sure I'd make a major move if I'm them. The roster is far from sexy, but it works.
Will the Milwaukee Bucks be CY'd next season? Doubtful, but they need to make the playoffs soon. The Bucks need to trade one of their two point guards for a big man badly. Get to it chipper.
What a deal by the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire Caron Butler and multiple picks for Big Z. I really like the tandem of Chris Bosh and Butler, but the Wolves need to lose more to get a better pick. They should really trade off everything else for picks to really bottom out so they can add a 3rd young star.
Take a close look at the New York Knicks roster. Ok, now check agin tomorrow and it'll be completely overhauled. My man Skillz loves to trade and I respect it. David West looks like a stud, Sammy D is an interesting role playing big. Jackson is overpaid, but has nice %s. This team ain't bad, but I would like to see them upgrade SF. Maybe Keith Van Horn?
Another CY team is the Orlando Magic. Have no fear though, they will be around next season. Kobe Bryant may have surpassed Tim Duncan as the leagues best player. Maybe. Camby was a nice addition, but I would like to see them acquire another big man.
Nice roster overhaul for the Philadelphia 76ers. The first few years were meh in Philly. Despite a slow start, the talent is there. The question for me is, do the pieces fit? I'm not sure. Regardless, the talent is there. I would like to see them move to a more outside focus and acquire shooters.
The Portland Trail Blazers are making Alonzo Mourning a rich man. In return, he's providing the team much needed defense. Last season, they struggled on the defense end. This year, they've improved, but can still get better there. Here is my somewhat wild, outside the box move for them - move Raef to SF and acquire another defensive/rebounding big.
Big fan of the Sacramento Kings. They lost Camby, but are still one of the better teams in the league. Actually, they may be the best team in the league. Ben Wallace is a cheat code and honestly should win MVP as well as DPOTY. This team does not need much, but could improve at SG.
The San Antonio Spurs have yet to find their stride. They've had an up and down first few seasons and are still hovering around .500. John and the Spurs need to make a big trade again to mix things up. Odom should probably be dealt. I'd really like to see him moved.
CY team number 3 is the Seattle Super Sonics. They are likely gone. Inside players but playing an outside focus. Oof. Not much to say here. They need to reconstruct this whole roster ASAP.
Did the Toronto Raptors find the biggest steal in the draft in Josh Howard? I think they may have. Howard and Parker are an excellent 1-2 punch. However, Jason Richardson sucks. 3RPG from your SG/SF ain't it. They need to deal him for a big man. Yes, this team desperately needs big men.
Is JR and the Utah Jazz lucky, or just very good at winning AND tanking. They won the first title. Two years later they hit the lottery and get LeBron James. Not bad at all. I've been clamoring for the Jazz to trade off everyone but LeBron and complete the tank.
I can't figure out the Washington Wizards. They have talent. I just don't know if the talent all fits together. I would love to see them pull a "skillz" and trade off the majority of the roster to re shape it.
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