NBA deadline additions

[duncanonu]

I think it's pretty obvious that the Lakers improved the most by getting Gasol for garbage like Kwame Brown and Crittenton. So, other than the Lakers, who do you think actually improved the most? I personally think that Dallas and Phoenix both screwed up, and was happy to see it. I think the Spurs moves of adding Thomas and Stoudamire were great, and rumor has it that Barry is headed back to SA in 30 days. Dallas has no depth at the big positions and just made their perimeter and interior defense worse. Offensively, they could be more scary now with Kidd, but call me crazy, I kind of like having defense in the playoffs. Phoenix is going to regret adding Shaq, imo. The Suns fast break game just got worse, as did their defense. If they want to get the most out of Shaq they need to play more halfcourt, which is not their game. Amare and Shaq are too of the most unwilling pick and roll defenders in the League and western teams know they don't want to come out and show on the screen. There will be some glimpses of the old Shaq, but all in all, this move won't work out. Look for Phoenix to score and give up a ton the rest of the year. Utah and New Orleans made small moves that I don't see having much impact, although Bonzi Wells has a history of being a thorn in the side of the Spurs. That might be interesting if that playoff matchup happens. I kind of like the Cavs deal for them. Lebron needed a shooter and got one in Wally. He needed PG help and got some in the form of Delonte West. They also add Wallace, who should improve next to big Z and get rid of the team cancer that is Larry Hughes, while not having to give up Daniel Gibson. Joe Smith is going to help them out more than people think as well. I still don't like the Cavs title chances, but they improved. The Spurs got rid of the contract they have been trying to shed in Elson (who blows) and got Thomas to greatly improve the defense and rebounding in the post. The cost was a 1st in 2009, and Brent Barry, who I have been told is probably going to come back to SA in 30 days. Stoudamire has been huge while Parker was out during the rodeo road trip, and gives the Spurs nice PG depth now that Parker has returned. If Barry comes back, they are the big winner's outside of the Lakers who got a gift. But as we all know, I am biased. So, curious what others think. Here is the rundown of the moves.



Dallas acquired Jason Kidd, Antoine Wright and Malik Allen from New Jersey in exchange for Devin Harris, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager, DeSagana Diop, Keith Van Horn and first-round draft picks in 2008 and 2010.

Phoenix got Shaquille O'neal in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.

Cleveland got Wally Szczerbiak, Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Delonte West, and a 2009 2nd (Bulls) in exchange for Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Shannon Brown, Cedrick Simmons, Ira Newble, and Donyell Marshall.

San Antonio signed Damon Stoudamire as a FA, and then acquired Kurt Thomas from Seattle for Brent Barry, Francisco Elson, and the Spurs 2009 1st round draft pick.

Utah added Kyle Korver in exchange for Gordan Giricek and a protected 1st round pick.

New Orleans got Bonzi Wells, Mike James and cash considerations from Houston in exchange for guard Bobby Jackson, Adam Haluska, Marcus Vinicius and a 2008 second round pick. As part of the three-team deal, Memphis will receive Vinicius, the rights to Malick Badiane and cash considerations in exchange for the rights to Sergei Lishouk.

[Rockets]

The biggest winner is actually Keith Van Horn, who gets 4 mil to semi come out of retirement for one year. I would love to have that deal.

[Magic]

I like the Mavs chance at a championship now, so I'll say them.

[Trailblazers]

Cleveland did a nice job. I hope Ben Wallace doesnt blow playing for the Cavs like he has quite often for the Bulls. He should be better, because he will never have to shoot the ball. West is a descent PG, but I am not sure he is the PG that will lead them to a title. Joe Smith was a huge addition though, because he can score very well from the PF position and give them another scoring post player with a short jumper.

[Raptors]

Hornets - Already a pretty dominant defensive team, then they add another lock down defender like Wells and a pretty good PG to backup Paul in James.

I think the Cavs did a pretty nice job, but Gooden >>>>>> Wallace imo. Although they do get Wally, who could easily be the difference if the Cavs win the title, so they had to give something up. I think Delonte West is a waste of a roster spot. Hes not going to come in and be the PG they think he can be. Their better off just playing snow.

[Mavs]

the cavs should have tried to get Damon Stoudemire

[Timberwolves]

You cant say Korver was a deadline addition he got traded awhile ago.

Cleveland though I really think Delonte west might be the best player in the deal or up there. He just wasnt given a chance in Seattle

[duncanonu]

I think Cleveland might have improved the most, but they are still nowhere near title contention. There are 10 teams with a better chance at a title than Cleveland. I really see it coming down to the Lakers and Spurs in the West and the C's and Pistons in the East.

[Hornets]

i think the Cavs have got worse offensively AND defensively.
Sure Larry could shoot you out of games, but at least he played on both ends of the floor.
And once the Cavs play the next 4th quarter with Ben on the bench they will long for Gooden.

Smith? Joe's the difference? Well, he's used to be playing next to a superstar after being unbelievably succesful next to KG, and he's having the best season of his 13yr career (CAREER!) PER-wise on the medicore Bulls. If you think that will continue you're kidding yourself.


But since Ben WAS a good defensive player let's give them the benefit of the doubt and wait a few games into the new guys debuts ...

[The Miami Heat]

unless Wallace is re-motivated by being trading and having a huge stain on his "legacy" after being known as one of the hardest workers and overachievers in the league, Cleveland is the biggest loser.

Dallas got worse. Two years ago this deal made sense. Now they just got caught up in everyone else getting better. They went to the finals two years ago and had the most wins in the West during the regular season last year. They had a bad match=up against Golden State in the first round. It happens. All of their players had finals experinece. they didn't need to add kidd who has gone twice, both times bringing the Nets out of the East when it was at its worst.

I like the Suns deal. Its risky, for sure. It hurts their fast break game, yes of course it does. Could their fast break game lead the to the Finals? Yes, they had a shot. But Shaq gets it done. Four rings don't lie. Does anyone else on that team have one? i don't htink so (correct me if i'm wrong). its a gamble, but Marion was leaving after next year anyways. its worth a shot.

Utah's deal has obviously helped them out immensly.

San Antonio's deals were both very solid.

I don't like New Orleans trade but its very minor

[duncanonu]

Bill Russell has rings too, but I don't think he would help the Suns either. My point is that Shaq is not the player that won three rings in LA or even close to it for that matter. He is comparable to the player that won it 2 years ago, however, the League is not comparable at all. I just think the Suns defense is really bad, and that is going to do them in, maybe in round one, the way the West looks this year.

[Trailblazers]

After the way the Cavs played tonight, I would say that trade went pretty well for them. I know it is only one game, but they had a pretty damn good game.

[The Miami Heat]

didn't see the Cavs game, but i saw they were playing Memphis.

[Trailblazers]

the stat line is pretty impressive. It was one game, and Memphis isnt very good, but I think it showed they will gel well together. Not saying they are going to win the championship, but the trade didnt hurt their chances.

[Hornets]

Suns didn'T look bad either in their first two games ... until yesterday rolled around.