2011 NBA Free Agency: How the '11 Class Stacks Up with the Previous Decade

The Free Agency Class of 2011 will look like the sequel to a film (2010) with only half (or none) of the previous films' stars, and a considerable lack of drama or intrigue. It will be business, in the truest sense, as usual—no glamour, no glitz and, thankfully, no "decisions."

Since 2001, a number of players—many of whom were sitting and watching the NBA Finals on their sofas—are considered free agents, of the unrestricted and restricted kind. And many of them decided to go elsewhere to find glory (or more failure).

The 2011 class has the misfortune of following a monumental year of free agency. But is it the worst since 2001? In this list, I shall examine the free agency classes by the big picks, the big flops and other criteria, since 2001. They will be ranked from worst to first.

*I focused mainly on unrestricted free agents, but restricted free agents who re-signed with their clubs are noted.

11: 2002 (The Year Of...Russell?)

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22 Dec 2001: Guard Chauncey Billups #4 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball during the NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Timberwolves defeated the Bulls 95-74.Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel

Big Fish: Um...Bryon Russell?

Stinky Fish: Smell too strong...must escape.

What? Signing: Danny Manning signs with Detroit.

Future Success Signing: Chauncey Billups signed by Detroit.

Way Too Late Signing: Shawn Kemp signs with Orlando.

Analysis: A slow year for unrestricted free agents.

The only highlight is Detroit signing Chauncey Billups in what would become a moniker-naming, championship-winning campaign by the end of the next season. However, at the time, Billups was a journeyman, often traded or released by former teams that gave up on him.

Meanwhile, Orlando continues the tradition of signing aging, former superstars by signing Kemp. Patrick Ewing came the year before.

10: 2006 (Lots of Personal Zo Drama, but Not Much Else)

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MIAMI - MAY 16: Alonzo Mourning #33 of the Miami Heat celebrates after the Heat call a timeout in the third quarter against the New Jersey Nets in game five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2006 NBA Playoffs on May 16, 2006 at the American

Big Fish: Ben Wallace

Seemed a Bit Odd at First But Ended Up Helping Miami Win a Ring: Alonzo Mourning

Not a lot else...

Analysis: Another slow year.

Ben Wallace was a HUGE fish in 2006, becoming one of the all-time greatest defenders, with championship experience to boot.

Mourning's free agency was more of the dramatic kind. His trials with kidney disease, and a terrible time in New Jersey (and an equally terrible time his first, brief year back in Miami in '05), nearly ended his career before he was given a last chance. But he was huge in helping Miami win a title.

This ranks higher then 2002 mainly because there was a marquee star on the block.

9: 2008 (Betrayal! Also Boring)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Elton Brand #42 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on against the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets at Staples Center on April 18, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

Big Fish: Elton Brand, Baron Davis

Stinky Fish: Kwame Brown

Most Looks like Lt. Commander Worf Signing: Ronny Turiaf Signs with Golden State.

Way Too Late Signing: Stephon Marbury signs with the Celtics.

Analysis: Elton Brand and Baron Davis were perhaps the highest profile agents available.

It was mired in controversy, as Brand and Davis were supposed to sign together to form a super team (or, well, super by Clippers standards). Brand bolted for the 76ers.

Stephon Marbury's endless saga in New York led him to defending champion Boston, a late season acquisition that really played no role whatsoever in anything of note.

8: 2005 (Joe's Destiny)

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WASHINGTON - JANUARY 30: Joe Johnson #2 of the Phoenix Suns stands on the court during the game against the Washington Wizards at MCI Center on January 30, 2004 in Washington, D.C. The Wizards won 105-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Big Fish: Ray Allen, Joe Johnson

Stinky Fish: Kwame Brown, 

I Need a Ring! Signing: Gary Payton signs with the Heat.

Seeing Franchise Player Potential Signing: Gerald Wallace resigns with Bobcats.

Way Too Late Signing: Nick Van Exel signs with the Spurs.

Analysis: Joe Johnson was, allegedly, the one thing the Suns needed to get over the hump in the 2005 playoffs. But due to an injury, Joe couldn't go. He did go pretty soon after, though, heading to Atlanta where he has stayed and basically inhaled money (with little silverware to show for it).

Ray Allen was not THE Ray Allen we know now, but he was a fantastic player who was on the market (but resigned with Seattle).

Other then that, there were a lot of ring-chasers and old guns be hired. Nothing too exciting.

7: 2009 (Prisoner of the Moment Year)

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CHICAGO - APRIL 30: Ben Gordon #7 of the Chicago Bulls looks at the replay screen after fouling out against the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 30, 2009 in Chica

2009

Big Fish: Ben Gorden, Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, Ron Artest, Trevor Ariza

Hall of Famer Bordering on Stinky Fish: Allen Iverson

Stinky Fish on Any Team but Orlando: Hedo Turkoglu

Analysis: The calm before the storm, 2009 was mildly eventful. Most of the available candidates were popular because of playoff performance or veteran leadership. Ben Gordon had just led the Bulls to one of the greatest defeats ever (that is a compliment) in the first round of the playoffs against the Celtics.

Meanwhile, Ron Artest gave Kobe Bryant immense headaches, while Trevor Ariza lit up the Magic in the 2009 Finals. Hedo Turkoglu, despite the Finals loss, was cold as ice come crunch time. At times, he single-handedly destroyed opponents.

Most of these, of course, were prisoner of the moment "big" signings. Artest panned out...that's about it.

6: 2007 (The Year of Misfit SG/SFs)

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SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 15: Rashard Lewis #7 of the Seattle Sonics moves the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 15, 2006 at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The 76ers defeated the Sonics 96-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agree

Big Fish: Chauncey Billups

Big Fish who became Stinky Fish: Rashard Lewis sign/trade to Orlando

Stinky Fish (at the time, due to past history): Grant Hill

Stinky Fish Posing as Big Fish: Vince Carter

Trades That Were Made, But Interpreted as Free Agent Signings, Often By Angry Miami Heat Fans Who Feel We Are Picking on Prince James: Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen

Way Too Late Signing: Eddie Jones signs with the Mavs

Where did Joe Smith Play This Year Signing: Smith signs with the Bulls

Analysis: Yikes, rough year.

Billups was a blue chipper still, while Rashard Lewis was a relatively unknown who would take Orlando by storm...for a bit. Vince Carter still had his fans (though God knows why), and Grant Hill was just looking for a second chance.

Oddly enough, Billups and Carter—the bigger and more trusted names at the time—have had their ups and downs, while Grant Hill hasn't looked better.

5: 2001 (Team Loyalty Year...Oh and Some Dude Named Jordan)

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PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 16: Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards on the court during the final NBA game of his career, played against the Philadelphia 76ers at First Union Center on March 30, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Sixers won 107-8

Big Fish: Chris Webber, David Robinson, John Stockton

Stinky Fish: Shawn Bradley, Ron Harper, Anthony Mason

Would Have Been Awesome Free Agents Five to 10 Years Previous: Dan Majerle, Patrick Ewing, Hakeem, AC Green, Chris Gatling, Clarence Weatherspoon, Vernon Maxwell

What? Signing: Michael Jordan (though I have yet to see proof of this. I've heard rumblings he played on the Wizards, but I have black spots in my brain from this time period).

Way Too Late Signing: Patrick Ewing signed with Orlando.

Where did Joe Smith Play This Year Signing: Minnesota (again)

Analysis: Michael Jordan was probably the biggest name (though it hurt all of our heads), but Webber, Robinson and Stockton were on the market...and quickly signed by their respective teams.

The fact that they were eligible to leave and, even though it kind of hurt, we got to see Jordan again—this year ranks pretty high.

4: 2011 (The Mysterious Year)

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 20: Zach Randolph #50 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball over Darius Songaila #9 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on January 20, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Big Fish: Jamal Crawford, Ray Allen, Glen Davis, Caron Butler, Yao Ming, Zack Randolph, Carl Landry, Jason Richardson, Tyson Chandler, Samuel Dalembert, Marc Gasol (restricted)

Analysis: A solid year for role players and pseudo-to-average stars who can change the momentum of your team. Ray Allen is sure to stay in Boston, but everyone else is fair game if the money is there.

Though overshadowed by 2010 and 2012, 2011 is a surprisingly good/great year for free agent targets.

3: 2004 (The Way Titles Are Won)

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DALLAS - APRIL 25: Guard Bruce Bowen #12 of the San Antonio Spurs during play against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 25, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. N

Big Fish: Kobe Bryant, Bruce Bowen, Manu Ginobili, Robert Horry, Rasheed Wallace, Derek Fisher

Stinky Fish: Toni Kukoc, Greg Ostertag

Future Success Signing: Hedo Turkoglu signs with Magic

Way Too Late Signing: Vlade Divac signs with LA Lakers.

Analysis: Every "big fish" played a massive role in titles to come, and team loyalty reigned supreme. Kobe Bryant, Bruce Bowen, Manu, Horry and Rasheed all re-signed with their clubs (though Kobe made a circus out of it). Derek Fisher, reaping the benefits of a three-peat (and four Finals appearances), went to the Warriors.

The Spurs would win the title in '05 against Sheed's Pistons, and another title in '07 with the same core.

2: 2003 (The Way Titles Are Chased)

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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 6: Gary Payton #20, Kareem Rush #21, Karl Malone #11 and Shaquille O'Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk off the court in Game 1 of the 2004 NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons on June 6, 2004 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, C

Big Fish: Karl Malone, Gary Payton, Alonzo Mourning, Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd, Jermaine O'Neal, Lamar Odom

Stinky Fish: Michael Olowokandi

Guaranteed Ring Signing: Robert Horry goes to Spurs

Future Success Signing: Udonis Haslem signs with Miami.

Somewhat Future Success, but Really Just Bad PR, Jail-Time and Possible Homicide Signing: Gilbert Arenas signs with the Wiz.

Way Too Late Signing: Kenny Anderson signs with Indiana.

I Need a Ring! Signing: Glen Rice signs with Lakers.

Analysis: Loyalty in sports is an odd subject. People talk about it like it has been ever-present, but really, when you count down how many NBA stars actually stayed with one team, it seems to be an exception and not the rule.

So Karl Malone and Gary Payton going to the Lakers on a ring hunt was both shocking and entirely expected.

But while that got the immediate headlines, Jason Kidd had his own controversy surrounding free agency. Though, unlike Malone, he went back to his almost-there Nets, the rumor going around was Kidd was in negotiations to join the Spurs WHILE THE NETS WERE PLAYING THE SPURS IN THE FINALS!

Intrigue, and the curtain lifting over the rose-color viewed NBA, made 2003 a fantastic "what if" free agency year.

1: 2010 ('Nuff Said)

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CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 02: Fans hold up t shirts to show their displeasure with LeBron James prior to the Cleveland Cavaliers playing the Miami Heat at Quicken Loans Arena on December 2, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

Big Fish: Joe Johnson, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitzki, Yao Ming, Kobe Bryant, David Lee, Amare Stoudamire, Manu Ginobili, Carlos Boozer

Analysis: I don't really need to go into it.

Some teams purposefully imploded so that they'd have cap room for some of these dudes. National television programs, ill-advised or not, caught the attention of millions. Current elite teams were kept in tact, some were created, others were given more power and the rest just put gloss and glitter on the word pretender.

2010 was a free agency period people waited YEARS for. Its effects are still felt today, and could, by behavior and the simple rules of cause and effect, change the way free agency is treated in the future.

Basketball has always been a business. But now it is an image-conscious one that makes or breaks franchises and challenges the conventions of competitiveness and sportsmanship. All from one magical "what if" year that literally brought people to tears, fisticuffs and even pyromania.

2010's free agency class, whether you like it or not, may have changed the world of professional basketball forever.