NBA Predictions: Tyson Chandler and Stars That Must Prove Their Worth
It was fun while it lasted, but the NBA offseason is, for all intents and purposes, over and done with.
To steal a line from the NFL, it's time to get back to basketball.
My guess is that hoops fans are just fine with that notion, as we're probably lucky to have basketball at all this season after going through several months of lockout hell. It didn't help that the offseason itself had its lesser moments (ahem, David Stern).
The offseason also saw some noteworthy players sign some lucrative new contracts. Now all they have to do is earn their money.
Which, of course, will be easier said than done. Let's take a look at five players in particular who need to reward the teams that have invested in them.
5. Tyson Chandler, C, New York Knicks
Tyson Chandler was considered by many to be the best free agent on the market this offseason, and he ended up going to the Knicks via a sign-and-trade with the Dallas Mavericks. Per NBA.com, Chandler's new deal is for four years and about $56 million.
That's a lot of money to pay for a guy who has never been, and probably never will be, a superstar. Chandler is more of a role player, and the Knicks are hoping he can do for them what he did for the Mavericks in 2010-2011, and that's win a championship.
Chandler's defense will undoubtedly play well in New York, but the one thing you have to be concerned about with him is his health. He was able to stay healthy last season, but he battled injuries in each of the prior two seasons. If he breaks down again, the Knicks will be forced to tough it out without him while still paying him richly sums.
The Knicks can contend without Chandler if it comes to it. But if they want to win a championship, they need him to stay on the floor.
4. Nene, C, Denver Nuggets
Nene was courted by seemingly every team in the NBA, but he ended up re-signing with the Denver Nuggets for five years and $67 million.
Do the math, and you'll notice that Nene is making slightly less per year than Chandler is. To earn it, he needs to at least be as good as Chandler, if not better.
Nene can score and defend just fine, but he doesn't quite have Chandler's rebounding and shot-blocking abilities. He's a very good center, but it would be a stretch to call him a "do everything" center, so to speak.
That Nene got so much money should give you a pretty good idea as to what the going rate is for centers. Nene could very well be worth every penny, but only if he steps up his game in places where it is currently lacking. If he doesn't, the Nuggets won't be getting enough bang for their buck.
3. Arron Afflalo, SG, Denver Nuggets
We go from one Nuggets player to another. Shortly after re-signing Nene, the Nuggets turned around and re-signed Arron Afflalo to a five-year deal worth up to $43 million.
Afflalo is a good player, but the Nuggets are clearly hoping he will improve throughout the course of his deal. Because right now, there's no way Afflalo is worth nearly $9 million per year.
One thing we know Afflalo can do is shoot, and he's a pretty good defender as well. He just can't do much else, and it's not like he's the big star in Denver's starting five. Just as Nene needs to step up his game, Afflalo needs to step up his.
If Afflalo gives the Nuggets more of the same, they will be overpaying.
2. DeAndre Jordan, C, Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have the Golden State Warriors to thank for DeAndre Jordan's new contract, as the Clippers were forced to match Golden State's four-year, $42.7 million offer sheet for Jordan.
Make no mistake, more than $10 million per year is a lot to pay for a guy who only averaged seven points and seven rebounds per game last season. You also have to wonder just how much Jordan is going to be involved with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin stealing the show every night.
To earn his money, Jordan will basically have to carve out a niche for himself. He's already a good shot blocker, but he needs to be more of a menacing defensive presence more consistently. He can be, but not all the time.
The good news for the Clippers is that Jordan is only 23 years old. He hasn't blossomed as a player yet, and he will be more than worth the money they're paying him if he does.
But if he doesn't...well, you know the drill.
1. David West, PF, Indiana Pacers
It looked for a moment like David West was headed to the Boston Celtics, but he ended up going to the Indiana Pacers on a two-year deal worth $20 million.
The big question concerning West is his health, as he is coming off a season that ended early thanks to a torn ACL. The other question is just how productive he can be without having Chris Paul at his side.
If West stays healthy and puts up his usual numbers, the Pacers are getting a steal. They have a very underrated starting five, and West could be the piece that puts them on the same level as the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference.
Or, he could be damaged goods who was never that good to begin with. Time will tell.
