Grading the First Wave of NBA Trades

     Before I could even finish my series of NBA year ender stories, the first wave of off season moves began, and what wave it has been.  I thought it would be nice to grade these trades, to see how the teams involved will fare in the future.

Major Trade Number 1: The Shaq Trade

Cleveland gets: Shaquille O'Neal

Phoenix gets: Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic

     This trade had been in the works last season and after the Magic's domination of the Cavs, I'm sure the Cavs wished this trade happened last year.  In any case, the Cavs finally get a big and tough center to match up with Dwight Howard and a shot blocking defensive presence.  On first look, this looks great for the Cavs, but I have my doubts about this.  Shaq demands a lot of attention and ball possessions, most of which were given to reigning MVP Lebron James.  Unless Shaq finally learns to match his demand for attention with his diminishing skills, there might be a little iffyness in the team chemistry department.  Another issue would be Shaq's health.  Will he be healthy enough to actually make a difference for the Cavs?  In any case, what the Cavs have going for them is that Shaq will most likely be motivated and they can rest assured Shaq will give his best effort, if only so that Shaq can beat Kobe's team and Shaq can have more titles than Kobe again.  By giving up very little (Wallace and Pavlovic were useless in the playoffs anyway), the Cavs deserve an A for this.

     For the Suns, this isn't GM Steve Kerr's way of helping his friend, Cleveland GM Danny Ferry.  It was mostly a cost-cutting move to help the Suns avoid paying huge luxury taxes.  The move saved them a total of about 10 million dollars now, and if Wallace retires and agrees to a buyout, they save even more.  I think Kerr has recognized the need for the Suns to finally rebuild (about two years to late I think), and if they also successfully trade away Amare Stoudamire to Golden State for Setphen Curry and Andris Biedrins, the Suns would be able to rebuild, save money and still entertain fans.  They get a C from me, a B+ if they complete the Amare deal.

Major Trade 2: The VC Homecoming

New Jersey Nets get: Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie

Orlando Magic get Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson

     I find this trade as actually the most significant trade of the Eastern Conference.  Once again, the Magic are looking to outdo the Cavaliers, this time in the trade arena.  While many question VC's heart and health, he has been pretty solid for the Nets for the past two seasons, missing fewer games and playing better team ball all around.  He will give the Magic a scoring threat that can create his own shot while still giving Magic the three point threat they always have on court.  While much has been said of Carter's inability to win, he has never been on a contending team as well built as the Magic.  This, along with the fact that Carter is an Orlando native, could spur him to actually bring a lot more effort to his game.  Meanwhile, Ryan Anderson will get his chance to develop behind the Magic's athletic forwards, and he may turn out to be more than a trade throw-in.  Lastly, having VC around gives the Magic a little leverage to negotiate with free agent Hedo Turkoglo.  Now that the Magic have a new forward, they won't be tempted to over pay the Turkish native, but still have a chance to resign him, since GM Otis SMith said they are willing to pay luxury taxes.  Overall, this trade is good one for the Magic, a strong commitment to winning for the next two to three years.  A solid B+ (A if Turkoglo re signs with the Magic).

     The Nets have been letting go of expensive parts for years, first with Kenyon Martin, then Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and now Vince Carter.  Instead of a straight salary dump a la Phoenix, the Nets actually get some quality players.  Courtney Lee gives them a starting quality shooting guard at a much cheaper price while officially turning the team over to All Star guard Devin Harris.  Meanwhile, the veterans Rafer Alston and Tony Battie both give them not only vetera minutes of the bench, but also expiring contracts, which is still in line with their plans to bring in owner Jay-Z's best buddy Lebron James in 2010.  Overall, a great move by GM Rod Thorn, and also a solid B+.

Major Trade 3: The San Antonio Resurrection

San Antonio Spurs get: Richard Jefferson

Milwaukee Bucks get: Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto (later traded for Amir Johnson)

     The Spurs' Tim Duncan era is about to come to a close, so Gregg Popovich and co. figure to give it one more go.  Adding Richard Jefferson to one of the NBA's oldest superstar trios is a much needed shot in the arm.  Jefferson gives them a cushion against injuries that will likely hit one or all of their big three of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker-Longoria, while sacrificing very little.  Bowen has long been past useful, while Thomas and Oberto might actually be bought out and come back to them.  Overall, this was quite a steal for the Spurs and there is (literally) a spring in the step of the Spurs.  They deserve an A.

     The Bucks have long been known as a small market team and so paying the luxury tax is not really ideal for them.  The move saves them a ton of money, but they received practically nothing in return.  While saving money will enable them to re sign their "important" free agents, you have to wonder if signing Ramon Sessions and Charlie Villanueva was actually so important they gave away a former All Star for well, two grandfathers and one who plays like one.  Last year, they couldn't make the playoffs and Jefferson was their only stud, so Coach Scott Skiles has his work cut out for him next season.  This move was a total head scratcher, a D.

Major Trade 4:  Atlanta Loads Up

Atlanta Hawks get: Jamal Crawford

Golden State Warriors get: Speedy Claxton and Acie Law IV

     The Hawks had a second straight successful season but they need to add more to their roster.  While re signing Mike Bibby is one of their priorities this summer, they went ahead and got more help at guard.  Crawford will provide solid play for both guard positions.  This ensures that if Bibby leaves, it won't be a total disaster for them.  Meanwhile, Crawford gives them a player who has an unmitigated desire to shoot, which will help them avoid those weird offensive plays that went nowhere because no one would shoot.  It also gives them more leverage to try to sign Bibby to a more reasonable price.  What's best is that they gave away practically nothing.  A solid B+ for the Hawks.

     Golden State has had a lot of turmoil in the front office as well as with the players and coaches, so weird trades is not a surprise.  Barely a few months after aggressively acquiring Jamal Crawford in a trade, Coach Don Nelson couldn't wait to throw him away.  Throw is the right word as they basically got an aging, barely-used point guard (Claxton) and an official draft bust (Law).  What makes the move an even bigger head scratcher is that they just committed to signing Monta Ellis to a long term contract and they also picked up Stephen Curry (another point guard) in the draft.  Add to this the signing of mercurial guard Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggete to long term deals last year, and you can see the Warriors' front office has been slugging back too much alcohol.  They should have let former GM do his job, instead of bypassing him last year.  Obviously, either the Warriors know something we don't or they don't know anything.  In any case, they deserve a "D."

     Watch out for more NBA trades and their grades in the coming weeks.

NBA Yearender: Uplifting Stories

     The latest NBA season has come to a close, and congratulations are in order for the Los Angeles Lakers, particularly Kobe Bryant and Coach Phil Jackson.  Now, with the off season in full swing, it's a great time to look back at what was a wonderful year.  First, I'll tackle the season's top stories that warmed and uplifted my heart.

1.  Orlando's Magic Run  - While many considered the Magic a strong team with Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson, few dared to predict how deep the Magic would go in the playoffs.  Just as I foresaw, Orlando put on an incredible run, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers (despite losing homecourt advantage and Dwight Howard for one game), overcame the defending champions Boston Celtics and dominating the Eastern Conference favorites Cleveland Cavaliers and its Golden Child, MVP Lebron James.  Despite losing to the eventual champs, the Magic gave the Lakers quite a scare as well.  Overall, it was a great season for the Magic, who proved tons of critics wrong.

2.   Derrick Rose and the Bulls' run to the playoffs - Facing great pressure to bring the Chicago Bulls back to the playoffs, things did not go well for the number one draft pick, hometown favorite Derrick Rose and the Windy City team.  After losing a majority of their games early into the season, the Bulls were already being written off and Rose being considered a rookie of the year by default.  Things turned around after the Bulls fixed their crowded guard rotation and trading for veterans Brad Miller and John Salmons.  Before people knew it, Chicago went on an incredible winning run, not only qualifying for the playoffs, but almost taking away fifth spot from the Miami Heat.  Then, the Bulls took the defending champions Boston Celtics into an epic seven game series, with Derrick Rose leading the charge.  He proved himself the true rookie of the year by taking charge when it counted the most.

3.  The Nuggets' Redemption - Almost all of the major players in the Nuggets rotation were written off, almost seemingly at the same time.  Chauncey Billups was supposed to be getting too old, JR Smith a basket case, Carmelo Anthony a "me-first" player who found individual stats more important than a championship, Chris Andersen a junkie, Nene a shadow of his former self after a bout with testicular cancer and Linas Kleiza a soft European player who couldn't contribute in the NBA and Kenyon Martin a player with both knees shot.  Collectively, though, they found a bond and trust in each other and it propelled them to the franchise's best finish since 1985.  Together, they helped each other overcome their bad reputations, seemingly showing a maturity and desire to win that showed not only their capability to win this year, but also for the next two years.

4.  Gina Marie Incandela - While this little cutie is not a household name anywhere outside of Orlando Magic fans' homes, her story is certainly a tremendous one.  Suffering from a kind of autism, PDD NOS, Gina Marie was not given much hope to be able to speak.  When her parents brought her to the University of Central Florida to help with her speech, Gina found herself expressing herself through singing; and sing she can.  Taking a liking to LeAnn Rimes' Star Spangled Banner performance, Gina began singing the national anthem, first in practice then later in major singing events.  When she sang for the Orlando Magic one time, the Magic won.  Then, she was asked to sing again.  The Magic won again.  Then, all of a sudden, she became the Magic's "secret weapon," with the Magic going 7-0 with her singing (6-0) in the playoffs until the Lakers spoiled the Magic's fun.  In any case, hers is an amazing story and the Magic, if they know what's good for them, will invite her again next season.

5.  Some Love for Kevin Love - When Kevin Mchale made another controversial decision to trade away top draft pick O.J. Mayo, fans collectively slapped their heads, thinking it was another lopsided trade a la Randy Foye for Brandon Roy.  The Wolves badly needed a guard, and Mayo seemed to be answer.  Instead, the Wolves traded him away, essentially for another rookie, Kevin Love.  Before the draft, Love was touted as a front court player who could, "make a decent baseball pass," not exactly the description of the savior the Wolves fans desperately sought.  As the season went on, however, O.J. Mayo, while scoring heavily, showed a lack of ability or willingness to pass to go along with his poor percentage shooting.  Meanwhile, Love finally received some love in Minnesota, earning it by posting averages of 11.1 points and 9.1 rebounds, including the most rookie double doubles.  Now, Wolves fans will look forward to a new era under a new GM, new coach and the promising front court duo of Love and Al Jefferson.

     While I'm sure the NBA season brought a lot more than five uplifting stories, these five were my personal favorites.  Do you have an uplifting NBA story from this past season? I invite you to post! 

(Coming soon: NBA's Downer Stories)

Lebron Simply Blew It

     Many people thought I was daft when I predicted an Orlando Magic victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games, but I held firm to my beliefs because in the end, I knew the Magic was simply a bad match up to the Cavs.  I knew how the Magic's lithe and quick frontline would pose problems for the Cavs' big but lumbering big men and I expected Lebron James' teammates would not provide enough support to lift the Cavaliers.  What I didn't expect though, was how bad Lebron James would blow it.  

     Forget about Lebron losing a chance to play in the NBA Finals on his Most Valuable Player season.  Forget about him losing to the less favored Orlando Magic despite finishing with the league-best 66 to 16 win loss record.  What Lebron blew was the opportunity to look like a classy guy.  

     After losing game 6 and the series to the Magic, James quickly retreated to the locker room, avoided the media and went straight to the team bus.  Most disappointingly, he never offered any congratulatory hugs or handshakes to the Magic players, even to his team USA teammate Dwight Howard.  Asked about his abrupt exit from the arena, the "King" explained, "It’s hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them,” he said. “I’m a winner. It’s not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you’re not going to congratulate them. That doesn’t make sense to me. I’m a competitor. That’s what I do. It doesn’t make sense for me to go over and shake somebody’s hand.”

     Come on Lebron.  Being a "winner" doesn't mean you don't congratulate the winner.  Recognizing and congratulating someone who has beaten you fair and square doesn't make you a loser; in fact, it makes you a bigger person worthy of adulation.  Even bitter rivals MAtt Hughes and Matt Serra congratulated each other after trying to kill each other in UFC 98.  Oscar de la Hoya found time and character to congratulate Manny Pacquiao after the Pacman beat him to a pulp.  

     There he was, Lebron James, a star athlete with transcendent popularity, a role model for kids all over the world with a chance to show them what true sportsmanship is all about.  He had a chance to show kids that sportsmanship is not just about playing fairly and cleanly and competing relentlessly.  It is, more importantly, accepting defeat and enjoying victory graciously Being the superstar James is, he simply can't do two out of three and expect the world to indulge him because of his youth and frustration.  Youth coaches in different sports from all around the world can try to teach kids about sportsmanship and graciousness, but in the end, kids' heroes like Kobe Bryant and James will impact the kids more with their behavior.  If he truly cared about helping kids and molding them into better people, he would have recognized his basketball camps with the youth in Akron, Ohio is not enough.  He should have seen this as a perfect opportunity to show kids how great and classy athletes take losing to worthy rivals.  He blew his chance to help educate kids about true and unadulterated sportsmanship.

     Lebron James is a tremendous athlete, one of those once-in-a-generation type athletes who will no doubt win many more accolades and championships, and I hate to think that this episode blemish a lasting legacy that he is destined to leave the world with.  I really hope he owns up to this boo boo of his.  He is once again presented with an opportunity to show kids proper behavior, to own up to one's mistakes and apologize properly.  Let's go Lebron.  Don't blow it this time.