Listen to this guy!!
The Best Moves Of The Off-Season
Authored by Ryan Bennett - 7th September, 2005 - 8:54 am
The off-season has been hectic yet quiet at the same time. We haven’t seen the blockbuster trades of last off-season, like the TMac-Franchise swap, or the Shaq to Miami deal. (Unless you consider Fatoine ‘Brick’ Walker’s relocation to Miami as a blockbuster). We have seen odd moves like Memphis’ addition of two veteran point guards, we could also call it Memphis’ addition of two undersized shooting guards, both titles sound bad. Boston added a guy who has the nickname ‘scrub.’ The off-season, my friends, sounds very off.
Big name players have been waived under the league’s new amnesty clause, and then signed by new teams. Doug Christie and Michael Finley are just two of the players to be waived under this provision. Without further delay here are the top ten off-season acquisitions (as promised) in reverse order.
10. Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
The only rookie in my list. I had no intention of adding rookies, but Nate is going to be special. He looks like a hybrid of Spud Webb and Earl Boykins already, pint-sized superstardom. The Knicks have no problem with putting butts in seats; the addition of Nate will do the exact opposite, he will be getting butts out of seats, standing in ovation. Go little man go!
9. Kwame Brown, Los Angeles Lakers
The sign and trade of Kwame Brown, is a hugely underrated move by the Lakers, especially with the newly appointed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as an assistant coach. Just picture Kwame throwing in skyhooks from all angles, with the Zen guidance from Phil Jackson. I think this is the year Kwame lives up to his potential, and reall steps ahead of the class of 2001 (Chandler and Curry).
8. Fabricio Oberto, San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are the NBA champions and have added Oberto, Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel. Those moves are looking very solid, but we have seen teams fail before that have had talent stacked (see the 2004 Lakers and Mavericks). Fear aside, Oberto addresses a need for the Spurs in an inside player who is tough. As well as Mohammed played in the playoffs, we all know that he is still very limited skill wise, and has no gonads. This move has made Nestorovic very expendable (though he has been anyway).
7. Larry Hughes, Cleveland Cavaliers
If Hughes could hit consistent three pointers, he would be higher on this list. Larry is a great defender though, and tag teaming with LeBron he will form one of the most athletic backcourt pairings in the league. 2005-06 should be a Cav’s dunk fest.
6. Raja Bell, Phoenix Suns
Brings Joe Johnson’s game (albeit without many of Joe’s intangibles) at a fraction of Johnson’s price. Bell is an excellent defender, and I am glad to see that the Suns missed on Finley, because the move would have taken minutes away from Bell and Diaw, two excellent defenders.
5. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Some people don’t get all the hoopla over Joe Johnson, and already he is being labelled as overpaid and under skilled. Well it has been getting to the point with Atlanta where they couldn’t sign any free agents, so the money needed to be spent somewhere, and Joe is not a bad investment. Money aside, I really like the addition of Joe to Atlanta,and I like the fact that the team actually has direction. 5 players taller than 6’8”? That sounds good to me. Johnson can move between three positions, and has worked on improving his game every season, nice addition by Atlanta.
4. Sarunas Jasikevicius, Indiana Pacers
The Pacers lack outside shooting, so what do they do? They sign arguably the best shooter in the world, Sarunas Jasikevicius. He also will help out the Pacers on clutch baskets, an area of his game that is strong, and an area that has been sorely lacking for the Pacers in playoffs past. Will contend for either Rookie of the Year or 6th man of the Year.
3. Linton Johnson III, New Jersey Nets
You say underrated? Well, you must have been talking about Linton. This guy is very athletic, active and seems to do everything well. The perfect compliment to Jason Kidd, and should be the likely starter at power forward by mid season. He can step in and not take anything away from Carter, Jefferson and Kidd. Explanation: Marc Jackson needs the ball to be effective, Johnson plays well with limited touches. Could be the leagues Most Improved Player if he plays his cards right.
2. Stromile Swift, Houston Rockets
Last season the Rockets lacked an athletic big man, because they traded away Kelvin Cato to get their hands on franchise saviour Tracy McGrady. Swift steps in straight away for the Rockets as a high flying shot blocker and finisher. With the tutelage of Van Gundy and Mutumbo he could turn into one of the most dominate defensive bigs in the game.
1. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Sacramento Kings
The signing of Reef really solidifies the Kings front court, and helps them push their heads back above water, gasping for the playoffs. Abdur-Rahim is a capable offensive threat who will complement a starting five of: Miller, Peja, Bibby and Wells. Look for the Kings to be churning out a lot more points per game than last season.
I mean, Linton Johnson. LINTON JOHNSON!!!!!!!! Dude, if you know nothing about basketball, why get a job writing about it!
[Edited by - firefly on 09-13-2005 07:03 AM]Some men see things as they are and ask why. I dream things that never were and ask why not?
