2011 NBA Free Agency: 5 Best Offensive Weapons Available
This morning, the holiest of holy events occurred: the NBA players and owners reached an agreement to end the lockout and announced that the 2011 free-agency period will begin on December 9.
So, in between thanking the basketball deities, I have compiled a list of the five best offensive weapons on the free-agent market.
Although this year's class lacks the star power of 2010, there are several major scorers up for grabs.
Most of these guys can't pass, rebound or defend. But dammit, they can put the ball in the hoop.
J.R Smith
To say that J.R. Smith is a psycho would be an understatement. To say he's an explosive scorer would be an even bigger one.
For all his baggage (he has quite an extensive arrest record), Smith is one of the league's most lethal scorers.
He's the perfect example of a "hurts you, hurts me" shooter. When he's on, Smith is capable of ridiculous feats like hitting 10 threes in a game on two separate occasions. When he's off, he cripples his team with poor shot selection and general immaturity.
If given starter's minutes, Smith would undoubtedly average at least 20 points a game. He just has to grow up before someone places that much trust in him.
David West
There's nothing sexy about David West's game, but it's highly effective.
Last season, he was his usual consistent self, averaging 18.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
West has a reliable set of post moves and runs the pick-and-roll perfectly with Chris Paul. He should be fully recovered from his ACL injury, which he suffered in March.
Expect another solid season out of West.
Nick Young
Nick Young can score in every conceivable way, Exhibit A being that filthy 360 layup.
Scoring is all he's capable of on the court—or more accurately, interested in—but he does it pretty well.
Last season, he averaged 17 points on 44 percent shooting. He exploded numerous times, dropping 38 points on Miami and a career-high 43 against Sacramento.
The 26-year-old is on the verge of becoming one of the league's best shooting guards.
Richardson, at the ripe age of 30, doesn't have those kind of hops anymore, but he has developed into a very efficient scorer.
Last season, he averaged 15.6 points per game with excellent shooting percentages (44.7 percent on field goals, 39.5 on threes).
At this point in his career, J-Rich wants to play for a contender. If he's willing to take a pay cut, he would be a beautiful fit in Chicago.
Jamal Crawford
Crawford has several notable achievements to his name, including dropping 50 points with three different teams, winning the 2010 Sixth Man of the Year award and becoming the NBA's all-time leader in four point plays with 24.
He's also the godfather of the Shake-n-Bake move, which is doper than whatever Michael Beasley is currently smoking.
Last season, Crawford averaged 14.2 points per game on 42.1 percent shooting.
With his playmaking ability and tendency to pour in points, Crawford is the best offensive weapon in the 2011 free-agent class.
