2010-2011 NBA SEASON : EAST COAST vs. WEST COAST BEEF
Amidst all the hype and controversy surrounding the 2010 free agency summer bonanza, I decided to do my own "street-level" assessment of all 30 teams:
EAST:
"Miami Heat: The so-called "winners" in the lottery of the services of Lebron James, have pulled the trifecta in also landing Chris Bosh and resigning their own superstar Dwayne Wade. With all of the talent oozing out from SouthBeach, many are ready to give them the Larry O'Brien trophy before preseason begins. I admit, they will be exciting to watch throughout and will win games, but do they have enough help (bench) to make it through the emerald city. Mike Miller, Eddie House and Mario Chalmers....OH MY!
Orlando Magic: This team is resting solely on the most dominant inside presence in the league in Dwight Howard. We know this team can shoot the ball and they have nice depth, but great players get better in the offseason. Dwight is supposedly in big-man camp with the "Dream" and all-though Patrick Chewing may have his feelings hurt, this is who Dwight needs mentorship from because of his mobility and athleticism. If he can consistently score in the low block and force double teams, they very well can win the East...no matter how VanBlundy screws up.
Chicago Bulls: Bulls fans haven't been this excited about a season since the break-up of their dynasty and the retirement of M.J. A.K.A "The Standard". Coming off the FIBA championship gold medal team, Derrick Rose is maturing and growing in confidence. Once his jumper becomes more consistent he will become a nightmare for opposing teams. With the new addition of Carlos Boozer to the front line with Noah and Deng and Tom Thibideau calling the shots, Chicago may see the running of the Bulls once again.
Atlanta Hawks: With all the thoroughbred athletes on their roster, this team should be more of a threat to challenge for a top spot in the East. But underachievers and egos will dead a train in its tracks. Joe Johnson jumped at the offer Atlanta dumped on him quickly because Joe knew that a "bird in the hand is worth more than in the bush". This team has no real identity and leadership is iffy at best. Now they have rid themselves of their coach and the six man of the year, Jamal Crawford, wants out. Hmmn! I guess the only championship in ATL will come from the DREAM.
New York Knicks: Frank Sinatra says "its up to you NY.." Landing Amare Stoudemire was a great step but who comes with him. No doubt that Amare, if healthy, will be OK in D'Antoni's system because he's done it before...only problem is there is no Steve Nash. Amare is not really a back to the basket player. He is mobile and quick. Can stick the 15 foot jumper and will get to the rim and finish but his defense is suspect. His rebounding needs to improve and staying out of foul trouble is his achilles heel. Maybe Melo, Parker and/or Paul will continue to ruffle feathers in their own den and try to take a bite out of the big apple.
New Jersey Nets: New owner Mikhail Prokhorov has an aura of a winner. Like Rapunzel, he has been able to spin gold from grit. The Nets have been a team in limbo since the days of Kidd, Jefferson and Carter ran up and down the court and into the Finals two years in a row. But with Devin Harris, Rookie Derrick Favors and Brook Lopez in the post, coach Avery Johnson has a talented nucleus to build upon. It won't take them long to challenge for a playoff spot.
Boston Celtics: Like them or hate them, this team of veterans has what it takes to win another title. In 2010 the old "big three" or now "fantastic four" came within 5 pts of winning it all. With the same cast of characters returning (hopefully Perkins back from injury), and the additions of the "Big Leprechaun" in Shaquille O'Neal, Delonte West a.k.a. "The StepFather" and Jermaine O'Neal, they should be a force to reckon with again. If Rondo can add a consistent 15 foot jumpshot to his arsenal, the Celtics could go all the way...
Philadelphia 76'ers: Who is Elton Brand and why is he stealing money from this organization? Andre Igodala just won a gold medal and he may have the initials of a sixer great but this team is destined for a grueling season at best. One positive in this equation is that Evan Turner will play a lot.
Toronto Raptors: Are we looking at the east version of the Clippers? Maybe worst...I rescind...undoubtably worst! Of all the teams Leandro Barbosa could go to, he lands on the other side of Niagra Falls? He CLEARLY went to the highest bidder. I don't blame Chris Bosh for wanting out and it will leave a huge void for years to come for this franchise. See y'all at the lottery drawing in June 2011.
Washington Wizards: Congratulations to the Wiz for getting John Wall. It is a beginning to a long awaited overhaul. Original comments from management was that they didn't want Gilbert Arenas no where near Wall, but after realizing that they were stuck with agent 0 they are recanting and trying to make it work. Clearly, the first chance they get to unload Arenas contract, he's outta there. They will struggle this year but Wall is the new face of the franchise. Maybe "O-Beezy" can help out with some stimulus money to jumpstart the rebuilding process.
Milwaukee Bucks: "FEAR THE DEAR"! This team will make the playoffs. They have a very nice nucleus with Jennings, Bogut and Salmons. Mike Redd is a throw in as the injuries make him "Greg Oden-ish". The young Bucks have tasted the playoffs and they are hungry for more. And with fiery Scott Skiles adding fuel from the sidelines, this group will overachieve. As they continue to get better over the 82 game season, we will see them compete not for an 8th seed in the East but more like a 5th seed.
Indiana Pacers: Awesome offseason work by Bird and company! The acquisition of Collison and Posey, the drafting of Paul George coupled with an emerging star in Danny Granger uplifts this group's talent immensely. Now they have a true and young floor general who is hungry. Posey is the ultimate "glue" guy. He can spot up for three, guard multiple positions and he has been to the promised land. They should compete for a playoff spot barring injury and Roy Hibbert's development. Too bad number 31 is done!
Detroit Pistons: The return of Tracy McGrady..Will we get the player that was T-Mac-ulate or will we get the left over shell of a once great player? This team has many perimeter players that NEED the ball to be successful. What identity will they have? Once upon a time, they were a final four "shoe-in", but with the lack of size and post presence we can believe the shoe has a hole in it.
Charlotte Bobcats: "Heeeeeee's Baaaaaaack!!!!!!"...No not MJ, he's finally HNIC. I'm talking about Kwame Brown! You know, the number one pick from HS back in 2001 by the Wizards. Unfortunately he never panned out. I wonder what genius made that blunder? Wait..it was MJ!!! Is that what caused the bad blood between your "airness" and Washington ownership? So, fast forward 9 years, MJ still believes in Kwame Brown and he resigned him to prove it. Happy 70th birthday Larry Brown. I believe highly in your proven coaching ability and with this current group you would have to make a miracle occur. Good goal to have is playing for the most balls in the lottery next June.
Cleveland Caveliers: As the world witnessed the pride of Cleveland said the words " I have decided to take my talents to SouthBeach", Dan Gilbert plotted revenge. He looked at his roster and publicly shouted "I guarantee we will win a title before the so-called chosen one does!". Did he forget he chose Byron Scott to coach, not play. He has some decent players remaining but the momentum is "POOF". As Joakim Noah so eloquently put it: "what's so great about Cleveland. Why would you want to go there? They don't even vacation there?" What big name could you ever entice to come fill the void that James left. This organization will flounder for years to come. Will they win a title before LeBron James and Miami Heat?...Only if he decides to play baseball.
Ilee Coleman
SofaHoops.net
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