A Look at the NBA Free Agency Landscape

From the end of the NBA Finals, til the beginning of NFL training camp, the sports world takes a massive break. Yes, MLB is around, but baseball in July just doesn't really do it for me. Especially this year for baseball. There hasn't been any compelling stories and for the most part a boring season so far. So then, how do I get by? Well the NBA free agency season is actually very interesting and exciting. And this year, teams are LOADING up to make a run at that Larry O'Brien Trophy. Even the defending champs are fine tuning an already championship caliber team. In no other sport do as many players exchange jerseys and move to different teams as they do in the NBA. Only in the NBA can the addition of 1 player put your team over the top. What the top teams are doing is what we like to call an "arms race". As far as I am concerned their only 5 teams next year positioning themselves to win the NBA title. With my apologies to the Nuggets and Blazers, every team is making moves and trying to make themselves better, while those 2 teams have done absolutely nothing. I can certainly see Portland making a move, but their ever so trade happy GM, Kevin Pritchard, has not made that big move to put them over the top. So, the jury is still out on Portland. Anyways, here are my thoughts:

• I hate the San Antonio Spurs. Its plain and simple. They are smarter than everyone and they know it. And how the hell did they get Richard Jefferson for that turd in a bag group of players? So they added a versatile wing who can drive and shoot for nada, squat or whatever other phrase you want to use. Then during the draft, some how the top rebounder in college, Dajuan Blair, falls to them in the second round. And to add salt to the wound they add a very good role player in Antonio Mcdyess. So their 4th quarter lineup will be Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Tim Duncan and Antonio Mcdyess. That is one heck of a lineup. Oh yeah, they also have Greg Popovich as their coach. So once again the only team in the West that scares me are the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs did it again and mark my words they will be playing the Lakers in the WCF.


• Their have been a lot of mixed reactions to the Magic's acquisition of Vince Carter. I personally loved the move. Turkoglu was a big time player for them last year, but disappeared in too many big games. He did make the big shot at the end of the games many times, but for the first 45 minutes, he often played terrible. And Turkoglu's clutchness (did I make that word up?) is vastly overrated actually. Thanks to 82games.com he ranked 51st in the NBA in clutch points/48 minutes and only shot 35% from the field during clutch situations. And Vince Carter had a very underrated season as well. He averaged over 20 ppg last year and shot 39% from the 3 point line. Also, many of his 3 pointers were contested and he will have many more open 3's, while playing with Howard. Compare that to Turgkoglus 35% 3 point shooting and its no question you would rather have Vince shooting then Hedo. Vincanity is also ranked 18th on that clutch list and shot 50% from the field during the clutch, which is much better than Hedo's clutch numbers. Also the Magic acquired Ryan Anderson, who is currently tearing apart the summer league and can shoot the 3 point shot very effectively. The Magic will trot out a lineup of Jameer Nelson, Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus, Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard. That is really, really good if you ask me.


• Bron and Shaq or Shaq and Bron, however you say it, its going to be fun. When the Cavs acquired Shaq-daddy, it started the wave of trading/free agent frenzy. This is a great move for the Cavs, because they gave up nothing. The Suns were simply doing a salary dump, so the Cavs still got a productive center. Shaq has actually done a very good job at defending Dwight Howard in the past and to quote Shaq "There will be no double teams this year", meaning the Cavs can stay true to the Magic's shooters (if they meet in the playoffs). And the Cavs are getting a very motivated Shaq too. Kobe just won the title, Dwight Howard is supposedly the new superman and he has a chance to be the 1st to 5 rings (Kobe has 4 and Duncan has 4), so I certainly think Shaq is ready to bring it. But I am assuming the Cavs aren't done yet. They still have yet to use their MLE and blew a big opportunity last week when they were introducing Shaq. While the Cavs were laughing at Shaq's jokes, the Lakers and Rockets swooped up the Cavs most coveted Free Agents in Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza. The Cavs are still missing a good wing to go with Lebron, because Delonte West can't be trusted to guard the Ray Allen's and Vince Carter's of the world. So as far as I am concerned, they get an incomplete.


• The Boston Celtics were a really good team and with the addition of Rasheed Wallace, they just became an ultra elite team. I absolutely love this move for that team (even though I hate it, because I hate the Celtics). Sheed brings much needed front court depth and is a perfect compliment to KG on offense and defense. Sheed also owns Dwight Howard, which is very important as well. If the Celtics can stay healthy, they should be the favorites in the east. Their 4th quarter lineup will be Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace. Wow, thats all I am going to say. I am sorry Lebron, but if this team stays healthy, there is not much you will be able to do.


• The defending champs not only got better, but added a piece that will add a whole other dimension for the Lakers. Ron Ron is one of the most multi talented players in the NBA. Artest can guard positions 1-4 and has a well rounded offensive game as well. Losing Ariza certainly hurts, but for a team trying to win the next 3-4 titles, Artest makes perfect sense. He is an absolute monster on the defensive side of the ball. The Lakers will arguably be trotting out the 2 best on-the-ball defenders in the NBA (Kobe and Ron). Ariza shot incredibly well during the playoffs, but overall Artest is a more accomplished 3 point shooter. Ariza last year shot 31% from the 3 point line and Artest shot 40% from the 3 point line. Most of his shots in Houston were highly contested as well or shot with only 1 second left on the shot clock. With the Lakers, Artest will have nothing but space to shoot his 3's. Another dimension Ron brings is toughness. No longer can pundits call the Lakers "soft". Artest is one of the toughest and most ruggid players in the league and wont back down from anyone. He will be the enforcer, and frustrate the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Manu Ginobili, Brandon Roy, Paul Pierce and Lebron James. The Lakers will have a 4th quarter lineup of Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom (assuming he re-signs) and Pau Gasol. Now my friends that looks like a team ready to repeat and defend the title. A true test of a champion is how they defend it and I feel the Lakers will do that amazingly well and win the NBA title again.