KoriEllis
09-19-2004, 08:46 PM
NBA Beat: Grading the offseason
Heads of the class to class clowns
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, September 19, 2004
www.sacbee.com/content/sp...8843c.html (http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/10800851p-11718843c.html)
It's not too late to get into a Fantasy Sports League. Sign up here.
In the NBA, teams often try to position themselves for a title run, or a run to respectability, by making wholesale changes in the offseason.
Or at least that seemed to be the theme this summer with a flurry of trades, free-agent defections and signings.
Here's a report card:
A grades
Denver Nuggets - The acquisition of Kenyon Martin alone to an already effective and rising team makes this a great haul. Martin, the All-Star forward from New Jersey, was brought in for three players not even in the league - draft picks.
Miami Heat - Bringing Shaquille O'Neal to South Beach makes the Heat an Eastern Conference title contender. He's trimmed down, and he's motivated, not always the case in Los Angeles.
Houston Rockets - With Tracy McGrady flanking Yao Ming, do the Rockets field the next Kareem and Magic with goodwill and looming titles? Or is it Kobe and Shaq with bad blood (and yes, a few titles)?
Utah Jazz - After just missing the playoffs, the Jazz beefed up by acquiring bangers Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur, and they drafted Kirk Snyder and Kris Humphries.
San Antonio Spurs - The Spurs didn't have to bring in a host of players, just one critical shooter in Brent Barry. They re-signed Manu Ginobili and may still land Karl Malone.
Minnesota Timberwolves - The Wolves ensured that they will be title contenders by re-signing key cogs Fred Hoiberg, Troy Hudson and Trenton Hassell.
Detroit Pistons - Subtle changes could make the defending champs the favorite again. They added scoring forward Antonio McDyess, re-signed Rasheed Wallace and dealt Corliss Williamson and his contract to Philadelphia for Derrick Coleman.
B grades
Orlando Magic - Top pick Dwight Howard has greatly impressed assistant coach Clifford Ray, and the acquisition of Houston starters Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato should thrust the Magic back into the postseason.
Phoenix Suns - They could be the league's most prolific scoring team after adding Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson to a stable of fliers. They still need a big man, however.
Dallas Mavericks - The Mavs finally landed a legitimate center in Erick Dampier. Draft pick Devin Harris and veterans Jerry Stackhouse and Jason Terry will be factors, prompting coach Don Nelson to say he has never been more excited about a Dallas team.
Philadelphia 76ers - They could reach the playoffs with a revamped lineup that includes Williamson, Kevin Ollie, Kedrick Brown and Brian Skinner.
Memphis Grizzlies - They kept Stromile Swift, and the deepest team in the league became a little deeper by signing forward Brian Cardinal.
C grades
Charlotte Bobcats - As with any expansion team, the losses will mount. The NBA draft produced Emeka Okafor, and the expansion draft brought in Gerald Wallace and Melvin Ely. Classy veteran Steve Smith was brought in for leadership and his outside shot.
Atlanta Hawks - Upgrades include Antoine Walker, Al Harrington, Jon Barry and Kenny Anderson. There's talent but also a ton of mileage.
Chicago Bulls - The draft provides hope in Ben Gordon, Chris Duhon and Luol Deng.
Kings - Their moves were limited because of the salary cap, and depth might be a concern. They drafted guards Kevin Martin and Ricky Minard, and signed former Jazz center Greg Ostertag and rookie free agent David Bluthenthal.
Washington Wizards - Antawn Jamison, Anthony Peeler and Samaki Walker are in, though Walker may have nothing left.
Indiana Pacers - The team that reached the Eastern Conference final made only one move, the swap of Harrington to Atlanta for Stephen Jackson, who can shoot and provide athleticism.
Los Angeles Lakers - At first glance, O'Neal's loss seems F-minus material. But he might have been uninterested and lethargic had he remained, and Kobe Bryant might have signed elsewhere. The Lakers brought in Lamar Odom. Vlade Divac is an elite big-man passer, and they could still retain Malone.
New Orleans Hornets - The frontcourt is deeper and more athletic with newcomers Chris Andersen and Rodney Rogers. Top pick J.R. Smith has exceptional potential.
New York Knicks - Jamal Crawford and Jerome Williams help - and they finally got rid of Dikembe Mutombo's big salary.
Portland Trail Blazers - They drafted Sebastian Telfair and brought in Nick Van Exel, who is superb when healthy.
D grades
Toronto Raptors - Stability is a rumor with another coach and general manager in place. The big move was to sign Rafer Alston to run the team.
Cleveland Cavaliers - The loss of Boozer was a serious blow, with Cleveland getting zip in return. The Cavs did bring in steady guard Eric Snow.
Seattle SuperSonics - The most significant move was drafting 7-foot prep star Robert Swift, whose upside is dulled by zero experience.
Golden State Warriors - They doled out nearly $80 million to sudden starters Adonal Foyle and Derek Fisher, never mind that neither started last season. But elderly and creaky Dale Davis and Eduardo Najera provide interior toughness.
Boston Celtics - The draft included three promising rookies; the trade for Gary Payton could be a boost, if he shows up.
Los Angeles Clippers - They made a futile run at Bryant, then let Richardson bolt to Phoenix and acquired Kerry Kittles to replace him. Forever residents in Class D.
Milwaukee Bucks - There is not much here to jolt the rest of the East. They re-signed Toni Kukoc and brought in Mo Williams and Mike James to shore up the backcourt.
F grade
New Jersey Nets - Remember the Nets? NBA finalists in 2002 and 2003? They traded Martin for not a single active player, traded away Kittles and didn't re-sign Rogers.
Heads of the class to class clowns
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, September 19, 2004
www.sacbee.com/content/sp...8843c.html (http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/10800851p-11718843c.html)
It's not too late to get into a Fantasy Sports League. Sign up here.
In the NBA, teams often try to position themselves for a title run, or a run to respectability, by making wholesale changes in the offseason.
Or at least that seemed to be the theme this summer with a flurry of trades, free-agent defections and signings.
Here's a report card:
A grades
Denver Nuggets - The acquisition of Kenyon Martin alone to an already effective and rising team makes this a great haul. Martin, the All-Star forward from New Jersey, was brought in for three players not even in the league - draft picks.
Miami Heat - Bringing Shaquille O'Neal to South Beach makes the Heat an Eastern Conference title contender. He's trimmed down, and he's motivated, not always the case in Los Angeles.
Houston Rockets - With Tracy McGrady flanking Yao Ming, do the Rockets field the next Kareem and Magic with goodwill and looming titles? Or is it Kobe and Shaq with bad blood (and yes, a few titles)?
Utah Jazz - After just missing the playoffs, the Jazz beefed up by acquiring bangers Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur, and they drafted Kirk Snyder and Kris Humphries.
San Antonio Spurs - The Spurs didn't have to bring in a host of players, just one critical shooter in Brent Barry. They re-signed Manu Ginobili and may still land Karl Malone.
Minnesota Timberwolves - The Wolves ensured that they will be title contenders by re-signing key cogs Fred Hoiberg, Troy Hudson and Trenton Hassell.
Detroit Pistons - Subtle changes could make the defending champs the favorite again. They added scoring forward Antonio McDyess, re-signed Rasheed Wallace and dealt Corliss Williamson and his contract to Philadelphia for Derrick Coleman.
B grades
Orlando Magic - Top pick Dwight Howard has greatly impressed assistant coach Clifford Ray, and the acquisition of Houston starters Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato should thrust the Magic back into the postseason.
Phoenix Suns - They could be the league's most prolific scoring team after adding Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson to a stable of fliers. They still need a big man, however.
Dallas Mavericks - The Mavs finally landed a legitimate center in Erick Dampier. Draft pick Devin Harris and veterans Jerry Stackhouse and Jason Terry will be factors, prompting coach Don Nelson to say he has never been more excited about a Dallas team.
Philadelphia 76ers - They could reach the playoffs with a revamped lineup that includes Williamson, Kevin Ollie, Kedrick Brown and Brian Skinner.
Memphis Grizzlies - They kept Stromile Swift, and the deepest team in the league became a little deeper by signing forward Brian Cardinal.
C grades
Charlotte Bobcats - As with any expansion team, the losses will mount. The NBA draft produced Emeka Okafor, and the expansion draft brought in Gerald Wallace and Melvin Ely. Classy veteran Steve Smith was brought in for leadership and his outside shot.
Atlanta Hawks - Upgrades include Antoine Walker, Al Harrington, Jon Barry and Kenny Anderson. There's talent but also a ton of mileage.
Chicago Bulls - The draft provides hope in Ben Gordon, Chris Duhon and Luol Deng.
Kings - Their moves were limited because of the salary cap, and depth might be a concern. They drafted guards Kevin Martin and Ricky Minard, and signed former Jazz center Greg Ostertag and rookie free agent David Bluthenthal.
Washington Wizards - Antawn Jamison, Anthony Peeler and Samaki Walker are in, though Walker may have nothing left.
Indiana Pacers - The team that reached the Eastern Conference final made only one move, the swap of Harrington to Atlanta for Stephen Jackson, who can shoot and provide athleticism.
Los Angeles Lakers - At first glance, O'Neal's loss seems F-minus material. But he might have been uninterested and lethargic had he remained, and Kobe Bryant might have signed elsewhere. The Lakers brought in Lamar Odom. Vlade Divac is an elite big-man passer, and they could still retain Malone.
New Orleans Hornets - The frontcourt is deeper and more athletic with newcomers Chris Andersen and Rodney Rogers. Top pick J.R. Smith has exceptional potential.
New York Knicks - Jamal Crawford and Jerome Williams help - and they finally got rid of Dikembe Mutombo's big salary.
Portland Trail Blazers - They drafted Sebastian Telfair and brought in Nick Van Exel, who is superb when healthy.
D grades
Toronto Raptors - Stability is a rumor with another coach and general manager in place. The big move was to sign Rafer Alston to run the team.
Cleveland Cavaliers - The loss of Boozer was a serious blow, with Cleveland getting zip in return. The Cavs did bring in steady guard Eric Snow.
Seattle SuperSonics - The most significant move was drafting 7-foot prep star Robert Swift, whose upside is dulled by zero experience.
Golden State Warriors - They doled out nearly $80 million to sudden starters Adonal Foyle and Derek Fisher, never mind that neither started last season. But elderly and creaky Dale Davis and Eduardo Najera provide interior toughness.
Boston Celtics - The draft included three promising rookies; the trade for Gary Payton could be a boost, if he shows up.
Los Angeles Clippers - They made a futile run at Bryant, then let Richardson bolt to Phoenix and acquired Kerry Kittles to replace him. Forever residents in Class D.
Milwaukee Bucks - There is not much here to jolt the rest of the East. They re-signed Toni Kukoc and brought in Mo Williams and Mike James to shore up the backcourt.
F grade
New Jersey Nets - Remember the Nets? NBA finalists in 2002 and 2003? They traded Martin for not a single active player, traded away Kittles and didn't re-sign Rogers.