If you can't stand the Heat...
Get out 'da kitch-an!
Sorry, I had to put that last phrase; it's one of my favorite slang phrases of all time. And I know how pretentious that last sentence sounded, but whatever, it's the truth. Truth knows no pretences, anyway.
So yesterday the Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, and New Orleans Hornets combined to trade a bunch of players to a bunch of different places, and here's my take on the whole matter.
Memphis finally showed us why they acquired Bobby Jackson: Jason Williams was headed somewhere else. And I actually like the hiring of Eddie Jones; he should be able to get some stuff done for the Griz as he'll be one of their top scoring options. Giving up Posey and J-Will to get him was a bit of a reach though. Still, you can't have two happy, competent point guards on one team, and there's no doubt that Bobby Jackson is probably easier to get along with.
What I don't understand is why Memphis has traded away all their depth without getting a superstar in return. It seems as if they'll need to do at least one more move to get near the playoffs next year, because they're teetering on Warrior-level talent right now.
It also appears that Boston has soured on 'Toine Walker again, trading him for a guy who got arrested for fighting his pet pit bull (Qyntel Woods) and a bust first-rounder (Curtis Borchardt). I never quite know what the Celtics are up to, and one just gets this feeling that they don't either. It's a good thing that they know how to draft, I guess. They'll be good in a couple years, presuming Al Jefferson lives up to his insane amount of hype. Those New Englanders really know how to jazz up the youngsters.
Inexplicably, New Orleans also found its way into the deal, getting Rasual Butler for not much. It pays to be alert these days in the NBA. Butler gives New Orleans a swingman, something they didn't have last year, if you can believe that. Maybe if Kirk Snyder shows up this year they'll win 20 or so games.
Ok, now you're probably wondering what the Heat get out of this deal. The answer is: a lot. For one thing, Jason Williams is an infinitely better ball handler than Damon Jones, a fact that has been sort of marginalized in the analysis so far. I'm sure it scared Pat Riley to death to know that D-Jones would be bringing the ball up, and you never want to wear down your scoring shooting guard by having him be the point guard. Second, James Posey is a gamer who will really show up. He needed out of Memphis badly; there were too many people who played his position there.
Finally, Antoine Walker joined the Heat, which is a bit mysterious. The Heat certainly don't need Walker, but it might be interesting to see how he plays with Shaq. One thing about Antoine: remember Game 6 of the first round against Indiana last year, when he carried them on the road to a tough win? That's the risk/reward that you get with Walker. Having Walker on the team gives Miami another guy who can create his own shot (sort of) and that might be useful in the playoffs.
I don't know how the chemistry will be on the Heat, honestly, but with Shaq around they should be able to figure it out. If 'Toine and J-Will can buy into the idea that D-Wade is the truth, this team should be dynamite.
Sorry, I had to put that last phrase; it's one of my favorite slang phrases of all time. And I know how pretentious that last sentence sounded, but whatever, it's the truth. Truth knows no pretences, anyway.
So yesterday the Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, and New Orleans Hornets combined to trade a bunch of players to a bunch of different places, and here's my take on the whole matter.
Memphis finally showed us why they acquired Bobby Jackson: Jason Williams was headed somewhere else. And I actually like the hiring of Eddie Jones; he should be able to get some stuff done for the Griz as he'll be one of their top scoring options. Giving up Posey and J-Will to get him was a bit of a reach though. Still, you can't have two happy, competent point guards on one team, and there's no doubt that Bobby Jackson is probably easier to get along with.
What I don't understand is why Memphis has traded away all their depth without getting a superstar in return. It seems as if they'll need to do at least one more move to get near the playoffs next year, because they're teetering on Warrior-level talent right now.
It also appears that Boston has soured on 'Toine Walker again, trading him for a guy who got arrested for fighting his pet pit bull (Qyntel Woods) and a bust first-rounder (Curtis Borchardt). I never quite know what the Celtics are up to, and one just gets this feeling that they don't either. It's a good thing that they know how to draft, I guess. They'll be good in a couple years, presuming Al Jefferson lives up to his insane amount of hype. Those New Englanders really know how to jazz up the youngsters.
Inexplicably, New Orleans also found its way into the deal, getting Rasual Butler for not much. It pays to be alert these days in the NBA. Butler gives New Orleans a swingman, something they didn't have last year, if you can believe that. Maybe if Kirk Snyder shows up this year they'll win 20 or so games.
Ok, now you're probably wondering what the Heat get out of this deal. The answer is: a lot. For one thing, Jason Williams is an infinitely better ball handler than Damon Jones, a fact that has been sort of marginalized in the analysis so far. I'm sure it scared Pat Riley to death to know that D-Jones would be bringing the ball up, and you never want to wear down your scoring shooting guard by having him be the point guard. Second, James Posey is a gamer who will really show up. He needed out of Memphis badly; there were too many people who played his position there.
Finally, Antoine Walker joined the Heat, which is a bit mysterious. The Heat certainly don't need Walker, but it might be interesting to see how he plays with Shaq. One thing about Antoine: remember Game 6 of the first round against Indiana last year, when he carried them on the road to a tough win? That's the risk/reward that you get with Walker. Having Walker on the team gives Miami another guy who can create his own shot (sort of) and that might be useful in the playoffs.
I don't know how the chemistry will be on the Heat, honestly, but with Shaq around they should be able to figure it out. If 'Toine and J-Will can buy into the idea that D-Wade is the truth, this team should be dynamite.
posted by mike at 1:28 PM
1 Comments:
Players like Dunn are Derrek Lee's (and Pujols's) worst nightmares. They can go on power surges and win home run titles and disrupt seasons which in the past would have won Triple Crowns.
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