and now, back to our regularly scheduled programming
Well, well, well. It seems as though the cellar dwellers and playoff underachievers of the NBA are dead serious in furnishing their respective rosters. And as a fan-slash-analyst-slash-Memphis Grizzlies cheerleader, I am liking what I am seeing so far. Yeah, sure the contenders have made a conscious effort in improving their own lineup but not as concerted as the teams which I am to discuss in this post. With the looks of things, it appears that we are awaiting one blockbuster season. Anyway, let's proceed with my analysis, shall we?
Boston Celtics
-Well, which team do you think I'm gonna start with? The Chicago Bulls? Of course I'm kicking off my in-depth discussion with the team who caught the biggest fish in the sea- the Celtics. It's quite obvious that the proud basketball franchise of Boston has suffered in these dire times and have been a shadow of what they were back in the glorious days of Bill Russel and Larry Bird. Determined to rejuvenate the Celtic pride, Boston GM and former Celtic Danny Ainge scoured the entire player community and bargained hard for the pieces to fit the puzzle. Capping the offseason was the acquisition of Ray Allen in exchange for a string of players including versatile wingman Wally Szczerbiak and the 5th overall draft pick which turned out to be Jeff Green. Then from out of nowhere, it was announced that Kevin Garnett was being shipped to Boston for 5 players plus two future draft picks. On paper, a team lead by Paul Pierce, Allen and Garnett would be imposing. But so does on paper, New Jersey lead by Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter yet they are no Detroit Pistons. The problem with Boston is that so much personnel were lost due to their transactions (Yeah, I know the Big Ticket is worth that much but 7 for one? C'mon). While their starting 5 are all the more intimidating, the rest of their lineup are lemons. What's more, what happens if their Big 3 start retiring one by one? What would be left of Boston? Rajon Rondo?
Memphis Grizzlies
-Start calling them "Alex' Grizzlies" from now on (sorry Rick Kamla, but KG's no longer a T'wolf). I so love Memphis' roster. They have a player for each position and a backup to complement each member of the starting 5. Plus, they have Darko Milicic. Translation? Memphis is going to be a low post power. And don't forget Tarence Kinsey, who's on the rise to become Memphis' lead man. Also, keep in mind that aside from Damon Stoudamire, no one in Memphis' lineup has been staying in the league for more than 7 years. How's that for longevity?
Orlando Magic
-If for whatever reason my Grizzlies are still underachieving, I still have my Magic to root for. And it's all because of the arrival of Rashard Lewis. The addition of Lewis fills up almost every void in the Magic's roster, the most glaring of which is their lack of a legit go-to-guy. Last season, a talented yet visbly inconsistent Hedo Turkoglu was given the responsibility of being Orlando's top scorer. Unfortunately, the Turk's inconsistency and lack of explosiveness hampered his efficacy as an offensive anchor despite nights of brilliance and 30-point games. Rashard's presence also complements young phenom Dwight Howard, who patrols the low post. With an intimidating inside-outside connection, Orlando should be a force to be reckoned with in the East. My only complain about them is that after their big time transaction involving the famed wingman, Orlando seems to be disinterested in further improving their lineup. The Magic have a distinct weakness in frontline depth, especially in the center position which they should ponder at, or else they may find themselves in familiar territory again- this time outside the playoff picture.
New York Knicks
-I hate Stephon Marbury and I hate the fact that he is the Knicks' main man. But we have no other choice as the management's stern in keeping the NY native around for some time. The departure of Penny Hardaway and Steve Francis I must say is very much needed as it clears any conflict in the backcourt rotation and (more importantly) in the salary cap. Even more commendable is the addition of versatile slotman Zach Randolph from Portland, thereby boosting New York's frontline which already has Shaq-in-the-making Eddy Curry. Their guard combo lead by Marbury, Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson is pretty much unchanged. Of course, if the Knicks are to go back to the playoffs, it's because of their frontline. E. Curry and Zach Ran on the same page? Brings back memories of the Twin Towers of yore.
Charlotte Bobcats
-Ah yes. Another team I am infatuated with, especially with J-Rich around. Jason Richardson provides steady offense and unequivocal versatility to the team, lead by the equally versatile Gerald Wallace. As a plus, J-Rich together with fellow new acquisition Derek Anderson can mentor the Bobcats' future shooting stars Walter Hermann (who's 30-point nights in the latter stages of last season were utterly memorable), Adam Morisson and Matt Carroll. However, just like Orlando, they seem to have no interest in building up their frontline which lacks a dependable center. Perhaps someone in the model of Curry would provide support to Emeka Okafor in the low post.
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Well there you have it. If I missed any team, or you want me to provide some analysis on any team you wish, kindly give a shoutout on my tagboard. And Francis? I eagerly anticipate your reply. hehe
posted by akosialex @ 3:41 AM
4 Comments:
Boston Celtics:
I think you are focusing too much on the C's trio of All-Stars. Have you forgotten Perkins - Though, unsung, he can still develop to be one of those, let's say, a Theo Ratliff? Tony Allen is also a good backup on whoever will man the PG spot (most likely, Rajon Rondo, who I am really fond of). T.Allen is swing man who can slip down to play the 1 spot. The Cs also signed veteran free agent Scott Pollard. Pollard is a defensive center who is capable of banging against monsters like Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming. Brian Scalabrine is also a sleeper who in time will regain his own self -- the one who dives for loose balls, defends against any position, and hits open jumpers that will surely be available. Michael Olowakandi will never be a #1 pick for nothing. There is a reason for that. His career once bloomed averaging a near double-double in his last year playing with the Wolves. I think the Cs weakness would be their depth on the PG spot. They lack a natural point guard who is willing to give up the ball and just position himself for open shots -- most likely of another ex-Wolf, Troy Hudson.
Orlando Magic:
Did you know who the Magic gave up for 'Shard? Darko Milicic who averages 8pts and 4rebs per game and Grant Hill who chips in 15pts, 4rebs, 4asts per night. 'Shard averages 25pts, 7rebs, 3 asts per game. Do the math. Though they lost both from free agency, I should still blame them for passing them up on the free agents' pool.
Memphis Grizzlies:
These bears are athletic. Very athletic. I can't wait to see them run.
NY Knicks:
Some still question the addition of Zach Randolph. Ako din. Will Stephon Marbury and Nate Robinson be willing to give up the ball? I don't think so. Will Jamal Crawford accept the role of a decoy? No, he will definitely not. Talent-wise, this team is one hell of a club but chemistry will always be questionnable. Nevermind the Eddy Curry - Zach Randolph tandem at the post -- they will surely work it out (remember Kevin McHale and Robert Parish of the 80s and early 90s[?] Celtics). But the backcourt will be a problem. KICK STEPHON MARBURY AND JAMAL CRAWFORD FROM THE LINEUP! I HATE THEM! Uhh, Alex, the Knickerboxers will never be at the East's best 8 unless Stephon is there. Call me a stat-junky, but hey, they are for real. Whenever Starbury scores only 8 points, they win the game. if he scores more, they loose. Do you feel me? If Jamal Crawford dishes out 6 or more assists, they win or they loose by just 3 or less points.
Miami Heat:
With the signing of then-flashy guard Penny Hardaway, the Heat is getting older, and older, and older, and oler, and older. An age average of 31y/o. I wonder when will Dorell Wright will have the chance to show his wares that made him jump from high school straight to the pros 3 years ago? Poor kid.
Golden State Warriors:
Signing Mickael Pietrus is a no-brainer. They should have done that before signing the likes of Patrick O'Bryant and Austin Croshere. Now, they are way above the cap, they have no choice but let other teams to sign him and trade for him.
At last,
Atlanta Hawks:
I have developed appreciation for their talent, more specifically, Josh Smith. They beefed up their frontline by picking on D-Day big man Al Horford and flashy guard Acie Law IV. Al Horford, voted by his co-rookies to make an impact right away (other than Kevin Durant). I just hope that the injury bug will stay away from them. JOSH SMITH IS AN ALL-STAR! GODDEMMIT.
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francis:
there's a reason why i am foucsing too much on their superstar triad. their 'other' personnel is very, very bland. if talent alone is a yardstick then rajon rondo and kendrick perkins will be solid contributors but sadly, i do not see in them the moxie of someone like bostjan nachbar. while it may be too early to dismiss them as mere 'teammates' the fact that garnett, allen and pierce are not getting any younger lingers. Plus, with the amount of youth/inexperience in the boston roster, the young ones may tend to overly depend on their superstars to do the scoring for them, while they concentrate on the little things, which basically translates to nothing if they cannot relieve their all-star trio of any offensive pressure (which is why il like NJ better on the grounds that they have a string of veterans to provide backup to their very own all-star trio). i do agree with you on their need for a shooting point guard, someone not named eddie house.
i really do not understand why orlando would create their own weakness when they released darko. his presence provides ample support to dwight howard in the shaded area and no one in their roster other than the forgotten no. 2 pick can do that. i can easily ignore the departure of grant hill (since the one who replaced him is someone who's a better shooter and more importantly, younger plus it clears up salary space)but if orlando were to fail this season, they bettr blame themselves for this indecision.
about ny:
"Of course, if the Knicks are to go back to the playoffs, it's because of their frontline. E. Curry and Zach Ran on the same page? Brings back memories of the Twin Towers of yore."
cis, how about a bet? knicks will cling on the 8th playoff berth in the east. kasa ka? hehe.(of course, that won't change how i feel for stephon marbury. i oh so hate him. if only he was the one traded, not stevie franchise)
alex
Alex: I'll take you on. Haha.
Portland Trailblazers:
Other than the Celtics, the Blazers yet again made big off-season moves as they traded their main man, Zach Randolph to the Knicks that eventually got them Stevie Franchise (who requested waivers after a week), Channing Frye, and a lot of role players. They are now NBA's youngest team bannered by last season's ROY, Brandon Roy. Their oldest member in their roster is C Raef LaFrentz (9-year pro). They also became much, much taller with 5 forward-centers/center-forwards who all stand at least 6ft 11in. On the wing, they have highly-athletic small forwards Darius Miles and Travis Outlaw, sharp-shooters James Jones and Martell Webster. At the point, Jarret Jack has proven he can pass, defend, and play the role of a court strategist. They also got hold of Steve Blake who just had a career season last year with the Nuggets averaging 9pts 7asts per game. I think, this year, the Blazers will be having an up-tempo game with the addition of players like Channing Frye (who runs with gazelle-like strides) and Steve Blake (who has appreciated the Denver Nuggets' style of play). But still, no playoff appearance for them.
LA Clippers:
I feel, Sam Cassell should retire. True, he is the game's one of the biggest clutch shooters but his hip injury is keeping his team from winning important games. I hate to say this but I think Shaun Livingston might end up like Jonathan Bender. Both have brilliant high school career, jumped straight to the pros, banging their knees. End of career.
at least shaun livingston had more playing time than bender, who may have turned out to be of all-star calibre had he remained healthy. i do not like the clips' roster at all, except of course elton brand (whose injury woes may haunt lac this season) and corey magette. shaun's a solid pg but the injury bug looms over this prodigy. sam cassel's case is also the same, injury riddled story with a mix: he's too old for his team's and his own good. and chris kaman? let's just say he is no elton brand. so how bad exactly is the clips' lineup? the players i've mentioned above are their saving grace and with the looks of things, the clips will be missing the playoffs one again. their only hope is for d-day acquisition al thornton to blossom into a low-post power ala-elton. but let's not forget al's just a freshman.
portland's roster reminds me of last year's orlando magic. they have a stellar frontliner in greg oden, a flashy combo guard in jarret jack and brandon roy, fresh legs and lack of a main scorer. while roy may have shown stellar scoring games in his rookie of the year winning debut, he does not have that explosive offense of someone like ben gordon. that being said, portland may want to deal for a scoring forward (preferrably someone who can play 3-4). while this may not directly remedy the afforementioned problem, a 3-forward who can score consistently alleviates any offensive problems in the same manner of detroit's offense (no legit go to guy but they do have a fluid and productive scoring thanks mainly to rip hamiton, tayshaun prince and rasheed wallace). perhaps go for marvin williams?
alex
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