How the trades changed the game
Sorting through the moves that matter.
By Konate Primus
Usually I leave all the hoop talk on the site to our esteemed editors because these guys really know what they are talking about and I just like to sit back, listen, and learn. But Wednesday I was so amped after the Kobe-Shaq showdown, I just had to spit my two sense on the NBA’s current state.
At the beginning of the year when KG and Ray came over to the East side, I thought it was clear as day. Boston will win it, end of story, who’s going to stop ‘em? C’mon you thought it to.
But in the back of my mind I knew this would happen. The League would fall into a in a frenzy, and realize if the want to have any chance of beating the Celts they would need to do it with more than one superstar. Manpower is key. It’s been documented, that’s why the Bulls won six, that’s why the Lakers were so bad a$$, Shaq and Kobe, Kareem and Magic, you take your pick.
But recently stars have been separated, I guess with expansion of the league that was bound to happen, but it left players like Kobe virtually all alone, Lebron with no help in sight, A.I. was rolling for dolo until he threw a fit. Pau and KG are franchise guys but enough is enough. So they’ve made the right moves this year and man I feel like the playoffs can’t start soon enough. Once the Lakers got the athlete formerly known as “Kung Pau chicken” (he’s kind of soft remember the pinky problem? now just we call him “Pau Gasol-ina”). I knew other big trades would occur. Shaq to L.A’s rival Phoenix, Jason Kidd back to Dallas, and Kurt Thomas to the Spurs. There were other trades but they don’t need my attention. But here’s what got my attention…
Let’s get started shall we!
Kidd to Dallas… so what! I don’t think Dallas’s problem is solved, they need someone who has a strong will to win, an emotional leader, someone who can pull Dirk’s coat tail and say “Hey you 7ft German man with cannons for arms, I need you to stop acting like a WNBA player and get dirty in the post. You’re 7 feet tall for crying out loud!” They have so much firepower but they’re soft with the exception of Josh Howard and he doesn’t have the ability to take over a series by himself. Dallas doesn’t put any fear in my heart as a competitor. The only thing this trade did was make New Jersey a lot worse!
Kurt Thomas to the Spurs is pretty damn good. He’s old and effective, slow and consistent. He fits right in with San Antonio. Also it removes one of the few players who can guard Duncan. I don’t see how it can hurt them.
Pau Gasol is the best trade since Garnett came to Boston, from zero to hero in 4 seconds flat. He’s fitting right into place as a second option for L.A. It’s a serious problem when you have multiple 6-11 players that can play the 4 and the 5. Now that Lamar Odom is in his comfort zone as the 3rd option, expect him to crank it up. I’m pretty sure he’ll be more consistent again much like his last year in Miami playing behind Eddie Jones and the rising star D-Wade. Trade works for the Lakers, sucks for everybody else!
Shaq to the Suns… just give it 4 or 5 games. I’m tired of people acting like Shaq is a bum now because he’s old. Of course he isn’t the Shaq of the L.A dynasty days or even the Shaq of 2 years ago but he is still very effective on both ends of the floor… when he’s healthy. He’s older, slower, fatter, and less dominant now of course, but that only means he’s given up his super power to become a mere mortal. Clark Kent did it in Superman II! His numbers are just average now, not horrible. Once the Diesel gels with the team, Phoenix might be able to take it to the spurs and anybody else who steps in the way of Shaq winning rings.
Delonte, Wally, Big Ben and Joe Smith to the Cavs, very nice! They’ll spread the floor which can mean a few things.
1) LeBron doesn’t have to dunk on his teammates anymore.
2) Lots of kick outs when teams play 3 on 1 defense.
3) Life will be easier for bron bron! This trade sort of gave Chicago what they want as well, some height in the backcourt and a pretty solid frontcourt player. I’m not thrilled about what Chicago got but it didn’t hurt us. I don’t think any of these teams will make it out the East but it’s not their fault Detroit is too real and Boston is just damn good.
I didn’t even get into the Hornets adding Bonzi Wells and Mike James, The Rockets getting Bobby Jackson and Gerald Green or even the Jazz getting Kyle Korver because that’s how much its doesn’t matter almost. This is going to be a historic playoffs comes April. So much for the Celts easy run at the championship.
55 Responses to “How the trades changed the game”
Feb.22 at 11:23 am
BETCATS says:
ill trade you Sean May for a piece of gum
Feb.22 at 11:30 am
BETCATS says:
alrught a Half Chewed already been un-flavored piece of gum, and i will throw in Adam Morrison. Do we have a deal?
Feb.22 at 11:37 am
BETCATS says:
Still not saticfied how about this: You Get: Sean May, Adam Morrison, 2nd Round pick year 3000. We Get: a apple core
Feb.22 at 11:47 am
Ryan Jones says:
“LeBron doesn’t have to dunk on his teammates anymore.” Outstanding. Bet Myles Brown hadn’t thought of this, had he?
Feb.22 at 11:51 am
white hot eboy says:
Very nice, Konate. Your take is pretty heady, if you ask me.
Feb.22 at 11:56 am
Cheryl says:
In watching as much of last night’s Heat game that I could stomach, I have to agree with eboy that the Matrix is not enough of a running mate for Wade. The Heat “geniuses” need to make a run at Elton Brand, and see if the Lakeshow would consider a Matrix for Odom swap. I’d actually like to see the high-flying Matrix-du-Soleil in Los Angeles.
Good one, Konate. And to think you were just a pretty boy with a fashion sense!
Feb.22 at 12:24 pm
TADOne says:
4 games in and Cheryl is already jumping off the Matrix bandwagon. E must have got to her.
Feb.22 at 12:33 pm
white hot eboy says:
E is the pulse of the Heat nation, TAD. And I hate ESPN for ever taking that “nation” sh*t and making it commonplace.
Feb.22 at 12:42 pm
matt the jazz fan says:
thanks konate, but don’t sleep on korver!
Feb.22 at 12:43 pm
Cheryl says:
Tad, did you see the game? Matrix is good, but he’s not enough to get a win. What’s wrong with that picture?? You would think with all the high flying that it would equate with at least one win, right? So, I still like the Matrix and his skill set, but maybe he’s not what this group, as presently comprised, needs. We’ll see I guess, cuz the deadline has passed.
Feb.22 at 12:49 pm
TADOne says:
Yeah, I watched it. Marion’s FT shooting is horrid.
Feb.22 at 12:52 pm
snyper48 says:
The Gasol-Odom-Bynum frontcourt is scary,add the best offensive player to ever play the game and it makes the Lakers one pinky surgery away from the title.
Feb.22 at 1:21 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Love the kurt thomas move. Seriously puts the Spurs right back on top. Lakers next then Utah. Don’t sleep on the Jazz, please. Then Phx, GS, NO and Dallas/Denver Thats my west playoff bracket.
Feb.22 at 1:21 pm
Cub Buenning says:
agreed with matt, the korver move might prove to be one of then most important…..
that or the Von Wafer for Taurean Green monster…..
Feb.22 at 1:24 pm
Cub Buenning says:
Seriously, all y’all keep sleeping on the tandem from the Mountain Time Zone…..
I wonder which high-ranking Western team WON’T make the postseason. One of ‘em is going to get left out and it might be one that is near the top, as we speak/type.
Feb.22 at 1:31 pm
TADOne says:
Cub, I’m not sure that people are sleeping on AI/Melo. We know what they bring. I’m sleeping on the Nene/Martin combo, the reliance on Anthony Carter, and the fact Karl is still the coach. Not much faith in him in my book.
Feb.22 at 1:35 pm
Cub Buenning says:
I was speaking of the tandem of teams… Jazz and Nuggets. I thought that might be confusing after reading it. Melo/AI have been more than covered/discussed.
Nene has Chemo on Monday, then looks to make his return sometime in mid-late March. His return might be BIGGER for this team than a certain center in LA.
Feb.22 at 1:37 pm
Myles Brown says:
Xerox on Khalid.
Feb.22 at 1:39 pm
TADOne says:
My bad Cub. Utah is making it without question.
Feb.22 at 1:40 pm
Cheryl says:
Max, I like the Hilary reference. Giggles…
Feb.22 at 1:43 pm
TADOne says:
I just caught that too. Presidential year what!
Feb.22 at 1:44 pm
albie1kenobi says:
i think odom’s skill set fits the triangle better, not to mention it’ll give lakers a huge mobile frontline that no other teams can match up with. i hate to say it coz i’m not a fan of lakers, but they are/will be dominant AND fun to watch for years to come.
Feb.22 at 1:47 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
George Karl..ZZZZZZZZ
Feb.22 at 1:59 pm
Co Co says:
“Kurt Thomas to the Spurs is pretty damn good. He’s old and effective, slow and consistent. He fits right in with San Antonio” Very true.
Feb.22 at 2:08 pm
Cheryl says:
I’d like to see the new look Lakers play the Spurs. Have they played yet?
Feb.22 at 2:12 pm
Bishop1405 says:
I will absolutely hate it if the Spurs win again….Noooooo! That Manu scares me though, he is a stone cold killer.
Feb.22 at 2:24 pm
sab says:
i’m hating on this article - it is pure stating the obvious, lazy journalism, typified by “i can’t be bothered to talk about the moves by the Jazz and the Rockets”, even though these are the two hottest teams in the league. a load of rubbish. p.s. i agree with, among others, Khalid and Cub. someone BIG could well miss out in the West, and Dallas look the weakest at the moment….
Feb.22 at 2:35 pm
shinfain says:
with boobie out (really, can this cute little chipmunk of a boy get a better nickname?), west is gonna have plenty of time to play his way into the starting PG position… might end up being the most important piece they’ve added if he plays as well as he’s shown he can… never hurts to have two triple-double threats on one team… and now he never has to live in fear of brons’ nuts on his chin again a la dos years ago… although who knows what goes on in the cavs locker room…
Feb.22 at 3:00 pm
albie1kenobi says:
Cheryl: only one game left on 4/13 at 3:30 EST. yes, a sunday game right before the playoff. could very well be the WCF preview.
Feb.22 at 3:47 pm
The Notorious King says:
nuggets shoulda made a trade
Feb.22 at 4:40 pm
Cheryl says:
So, are the Slam guys snowed in or out? Wow, 10 inches of the white stuff up there and 85 hot fkn degrees down here. I’m heading to the beach when I get out of here. hahahahaha
Feb.22 at 4:46 pm
Konate says:
To be honest i don’t know what utah’s problem is they have great defense they can score with the best, their bench is deep enough what’s their problem?
Feb.22 at 4:52 pm
Cub Buenning says:
They have few problems. They had a rough start to the year, but are balling now, especially since getting Korver. They were in the WCFs last year and probably expect to get back there again. Doubt they will, but kinda doubt anyone’s chances of getting through 2 rounds of the West.
10 inches of white stuff! That’s a dusting ’round my elevation….. (3,000+ feet higher than Denver)
Anyone see OJ last night? The truth.
Konate, you gotta get on these Oregon unis. Nike’s creative guinea pigs aren’t just on the gridiron.
Feb.22 at 4:54 pm
J.B says:
happy 4 kurt thomas. that dude deserves to play for a title contender. NO is gonna be badd, siriously. clevland, dont know. but wtf are the bulls gonna do with hinrich,gordon, deng en now larry hughes. can somebody please get hughes back to the wiz so he can play with gilbert again? i loved those 2 2gether.
Feb.22 at 4:55 pm
Cub Buenning says:
Holygraphic last name plates? Their facilities in Eugene are absolutely laughable. They have the coolest little ol barn-like arena (this side of the Gophers’ joint in Minneapolis) and the best of the best in everything else. Oklahome State is trying to become the next UofO. All it takes is one rich individual who loves them some sports.
Feb.22 at 4:58 pm
Konate says:
actually cheryl this is child’s play, it wasn’t enough if you ask me. and I’m flattered that you think of me as a pretty boy… thats a first! I’m far from a pretty boy. I’m handsome, but being a pretty boy is much more than being good looking.
Feb.22 at 4:59 pm
TADOne says:
Cub must have lungs like Aquaman.
Feb.22 at 5:03 pm
Konate says:
Cub i didn’t see the whole game but what i saw was O.J looking angry and scoring BUCKETS! i did see those ugly ass uni’s, they’ve always been ugly to me so i guess i didn’t notice the increase of hideousness
Feb.22 at 5:07 pm
Konate says:
Russ are you alive? or did it hit him much like it hit me that having 2 teams and both of them not making any significant trades for the better get to him… how you feeling about the bulls?
Feb.22 at 5:09 pm
Harlem_World says:
Marion will regret making so much noise to be ‘recognised as one of the best SF’s of all-time’. He clearly isn’t, wasn’t and will never be. He is an exceptional utility player, a guy who will fill a stat sheet on hustle and garbage plays - but he IS NOT that dude who can make his own shot or lead a team. He is best suited as your 3rd or 4th best player. Don’t let the stats fool you. I like his energy, but his fundamentals are impressively horrible.
Feb.22 at 5:13 pm
Cub Buenning says:
No doubt, Konate on their gear. Sraight up Guinea pigs. Like the football team, i think they vary through out the season. TAD, 8600 feet surely helped me to go from my couch to playing at the DLeague camp at sea level this past summer. It matters. I just wish I had Aquaman’s cool giddy-up. Orange and Green are this spring’s hottest combo, eh Konate?
Feb.22 at 5:16 pm
Cub Buenning says:
I may be the only follower of an NBA team that was glad their team stayed pat. Chemistry has been a large issue and new heads don’t ever help. Talent is not an issue in Denver. They made their moves, last year with AI and this past offseason with Atkins and this cat Kleiza is basically a new player.
Feb.22 at 5:20 pm
TADOne says:
And Detroit Cub. I’m glad we didn’t make any moves. Unless, of course, you count Dixon.
Feb.22 at 5:27 pm
Konate says:
actually cub thats was lasty year’s no bull shit! thats when i got me army green and orange AJ5’s
Feb.22 at 6:18 pm
BETCATS says:
So nobody wants the guy on the pringles box or burger king ncaa finals mvp?
Feb.22 at 7:45 pm
joe says:
FINALLY, somebody sees what Ive seen all along. Yes the lakers made the best trade since garnett, but once shaq and the suns gel together, they might just blow everyone outta the water. thanxxxx
Feb.22 at 8:48 pm
AB_40 says:
so the eastern confrence playoffs don’t start till the second round and that will be 1. celtics vs 4. cavs and 2. detroit vs 3.orlando… talking about orlando new jersey released jamal magloire… good fit?
Feb.23 at 8:06 am
robbie says:
you clearly know little about the NBA or basketball in general. NBA players are never afriad of an opponent when on the court so that comment about dallas was trash. Kurt Thomas was never going to be guarding Tim Duncan in the 08 playoffs so theres another irrelevant piece of material.
should be writing for espn
Feb.23 at 9:01 am
RedRum says:
No one mentions the Thomas to the Spurs trade??? I think that was awesome! Check my blog for more explanation… (yeah yeah… shameless self-promotion…)
Feb.23 at 9:02 am
RedRum says:
oh they did mention Thomas… but what about the defending Amare part??
Feb.23 at 3:25 pm
Knicks! says:
Lakers: Kobe Bryant, Gasol, Bynum & Odom, nuff said.
Mavs got a tandem of Dirk who cant lead a team, J-Kidd, Terry and my favorite Mavs player Josh Howard
Suns: Amare, Nash & Shaq, ouch!
Detroit is the deepest team in the NBA
Boston has gotten a big 3 again
don’t sleep on Utah, New Orleans, maybe Cleveland again and the Spurs (they might be getting old, but they still have gotten Timmy D and Tony Parker..
Feb.24 at 12:58 am
Thomas says:
I’ve explained it so many times I’m getting sick doing it, but the Lakers are going to win the championship this year because along with a bomb starting line-up, they have a soild bench that knows what its doing when it gets into the game. This years Finals will be a rematch of the 2004 Finals with LA and Detriot going at it because they are the two deepest and tested teams in their Confrences.
Feb.24 at 11:22 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Nice work, KP.
Feb.26 at 7:59 am
Konate says:
Robbie, NBA players are afraid, you know how i know? because NBA players are human, pressure kills. look at Dallas last year, dirk should have killed those midgets in the playoffs but he was scarred, its normal it just means your not a robot. most stars get over it some don’t but it does happen… even in the NBA! if you ever played any sport you would know what i’m talking about
Feb.26 at 8:00 am
Konate says:
thanks Ben