This has been one of the most boring offseasons in recent memory, I will break each teams offseason into detail and offer a grade for each one. Western Conference will be coming soon.<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Atlanta Hawks:</span>They lost there 2nd leading scorer from last season for a high draft pick, He wanted a trade but I felt they could have gotten more for Al Harrington then what they did. Signing veteran point guard Speedy Claxton was a major move, He will come in and contribute right away.They strengthened there frontcourt by adding Lorenzen Wright and drafting underrated rookie Sheldon Williams, Wright is a good rebounder, He is a decent interior defender. Williams brings a tough defensive presense and athelticsm.My grade: B+<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Boston Celtics:</span>First off, They locked up Paul Pierce through 2010, That was an awesome move. They addressed there point guard needs by trading for Sebastian Telfair and drafting Rajon Rondo. Sebastian Telfair will turn Boston into a fast break team, He gets his chance to run while in Boston, He should get some open shots for Paul Pierce and Wally Szczerbiak. They unloaded the monster contract of Raef Lafrentz which was huge. Theo Ratliff adds a much needed defensive presense down low.The media is raving about Rajon Rondo and his work ethic, He is an amazing athlete, Solid defender, Good rebounder for his size. Leon Powe has had major knee injuries in the past, I doubt he cracks the rotation.My grade: A-<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Charlotte Bobcats:</span>The #1 thing Charlotte needed was a pure scorer, They used there 3rd oerall draft pick to select Adam Morrison. I think it's safe to say they got there wish. Morrison's defense is suspect.Othella Harrington was a decent pick up, He is a good rebounder and leader. He was a major piece to the Bulls success last season.My grade: C-<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Chicago Bulls:</span>Ben Wallace.... Welcome to Chicago! The Chicago Bulls pryed the 4 time all star from conference rival Detroit Pistons. Some may argue that his contract was ludacris for a guy who is 32 years old. Well, Heres how I feel about the situtation. The Chicago Bulls are already plenty set for the future, It's obvious this signing was for the present time, not the future. The Ben Wallace signing overshadowed the other great players signed this offseason. They aquired veteran power forward PJ Brown from the Hornets in a deal which sent Tyson Chandler to Oklahoma City. Brown is a double double threat every night.Adrian Griffin was the perfect pickup, He brings instant permimeter defense and leadership, He was a bargain.They had a great draft, They selected LSU forward Tyrus Thomas with the 4th pick in the NBA draft. Thomas is an explosive scorer/leaper. He is extremely atheltic but a bit cocky. Thabo Sefolosha looks like he might be a stud in this league, He is an all around talent, Pretty good defender, Needs to add some form of jumpshot to perfect his game.My grade: A+<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Cleveland Cavaliers:</span>They inked Lebron James to an extension, Theres not much to be said there. Awesome move. They signed veteran shooter David Wesley, Wesley brings instant 3 point shooting off the bench and veteran leadership.Shannon Brown and Daniel Gibson could both turn out to be steals in this draft.My grade: C-<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Detroit Pistons:</span>Fear The Fro..... Nevermind. Ben Wallace quickly went from a fan favorite to an enemy in Detroit overnight. The Pistons lost there anchor on defense after Wallace bolted to Division Rival Chicago for more money. You cant replace a 4 time defensive player of the year winner, You cant replace what Ben Wallace brought to the franchise of Detroit. But that's no reason for Pistons fans to hand there head low.They still have the same core of guys that won them an NBA title in 2003 and and Eastern Conference Championship in 2005. They formed a solid bench with the signings of Ronald Dupree, Nazr Mohammed and Ronald "Flip Murry", Mohammed is a great offensive rebounder and he should help on on the boards.I actually think the signing of Nazr Mohammed gives the Pistons a better chance against the Miami Heat come playoff time. Nazr is a better offensive player than Ben Wallace was which means Shaq wont have as much energy to do damage on offense if he has to use alot of energy to guard Mohammed on the defensive end. Ben Wallace's limited offensive game lets Shaq rest on defense.My grade: C<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Indiana Pacers:</span>The Indiana Pacers had a pretty balenced offseason, They lost some key players, Gained some key players. They lost Anthony Johnson, Austin Croshere, Scott Pollard, Peja Stojakovic, And Jon Bender. They gained Darrell Armstrong, Al Harrington, Marquis Daniels, and Rawle Marshall.Anthony Johnson is going to be a huge loss, Especially if Jamall Tinsley cant stay healthy.They drafted Shawne Williams and James White, Williams is extremely versatile. His freakish 7-3 wingspan will allow him to block shots and grab rebounds in the NBA. James White is a huge high flyer.... Not much else.My grade: B<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Miami Heat:</span>Virtually, There entire championship is back for the 2007 season. They didn't add anybody of much significance during the offseason. Oh yeah, They added Chris Quinn.....My grade: B-<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Milwaukee Bucks:</span>Well, They signed Ha Seung-Jin that makes there offseason great in my opinion. They lost there pure point guard in TJ Ford, They added an offensive force in Charlie Villanueva, And defensive specialist Ruben Patterson (Right Kobe fans?)They lost double double threat Jamal Maglorie to Portland, That could hurt them for now help Boguts potential in the long run.My grade: C <span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">New Jersey Nets:</span>One thing the Nets lacked last season was production from there bench, Hopefully that wont happen this season. They signed Eddie House to a short term deal, He brings instant offense and energy off the bench. Foreign prospect Mile Ilic should be ready to roll this season as well.The Nets finally drafted a PG worth backing up Jason Kidd, It's a miracle Marcus Williams who was delcared by many as the best pure PG in the draft fell to them with the 19th pick. Despite Jason Kidds age he still played 35 minutes per game last season, Williams will allow Kidd to take short rests which will only make him more effective.My grade: B+<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">New York Knicks:</span>The Knicks still have the same chemistry-less roster that earned them the 2nd worst record in the NBA last season. They hope that signing Jared Jefferies will help balence out there roster. Knick fans were ready to riot when the Knicks used there 20th pick on PF Renaldo Balkman. Balkman is a decent player but many people including myself felt that they could have drafted him at a later slot.My grade: C<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Orlando Magic:</span>They didn't make many moves during the offseason, They used there 14th pick in the draft on sharpshooter JJ Redick. Some proclaim him as a bust,Others say he will be an all star. They lost Deshawn Stevenson to the Washingon Wizards. That may or many not be a huge loss. Depending on the play of JJ Redick.My grade: C-Philadelphia 76ers: People would think Billy King was a Celtics fan the way he continues to destroy this team, The Sixers needed to make some significant moves this offseason, As usual nothing happend. After major speculation that Iverson would be wearing a new uniform this season King put these rumors to sleep.They drafted high flyer Rodney Carney, He has tons of potential that rests in his hands only.My grade: D<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Toronto Raptors:</span>The Raptors worked the phones pretty well this season, They brought in a pure PG in TJ Ford, He is one of the fastest players in the league as well as one of the best playmakers. He should fit in with this system right away.They brought in solid bench contributors Fred Jones,Kris Humprhies, and Rasho Nesterovic.They drafted Italian superstar Andrea Bargnani with the 1st pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. He is a project that still needs to be worked on. Like many Foreign players in this league he plays like a guard. Bosh and Bargs could make up a nasty frontcourt duo in the future, Depending on how well they play with each other. PJ Tucker was a solid draft choice.My grade: B+<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Washington Wizards:</span>They lost defensive swingman Jared Jeffries to the New York Knicks,They replaced him with Deshawn Stevenson. Stevenson isn't half the defensive player Jefferies was but he is the much better offensive scorer. Stevenson averaged double digits in scoring last season with the Magic as well as appearing in all 82 games.My grade: C
First of all, great post, and very well thought out.- I would lower the Celtics offseason grade to a B+. I love the additions of Telfair and Rondo, and Theo Ratliff will have a much bigger impact than people think (we are much better off with Ratliff than we were with Raef), but until we make that "big move" Danny has been raving about, I don't see this as an A- or higher.- I would up Charlotte's grade to a solid C. Adam Morrison is going to be a terrific offensive player in this league for a long time, and he fits perfectly with the Cats. I also like Ryan Hollins with the late 2nd round pick. They didn't do much else though.- I would up Cleveland from a C- to a C+ basically just based on the steals in the draft. Brown and Gibson are both going to be in the rotation this year, and both are going to be good players.- Marcus Williams wasn't the 19th pick, he was 22nd I believe (didn't NJ have 22nd/23rd pick?). Plus I will have to lower the Nets' offseason grade to a B- because outside of Boone (who was a very good pick) they didn't add ANY big man depth.. unless you count Mikki Moore as depth, which I don't.- I would bump the Sixers offseason grade up to a D+. I really like Carney, he's going to be a very good player, but I also really like the Bobby Jones pick. He's a very good defender.For the most part you did an excellent job, man. Good post.
I dont think the pistons are going to drop as much as people think. I still think they will have a better year then Chicago and Cleveland. They still have 3 ALL STARS in Rip,Chauncey,Prince. A legit post player in Rasheed on the block. The Bulls still lack a low post player,so there guards dont have to always create all the time.I see them similair to the pistons before they got Rasheed wallace.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CrazyHops @ Oct 5 2006, 10:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I dont think the pistons are going to drop as much as people think. I still think they will have a better year then Chicago and Cleveland. They still have 3 ALL STARS in Rip,Chauncey,Prince. A legit post player in Rasheed on the block. The Bulls still lack a low post player,so there guards dont have to always create all the time.I see them similair to the pistons before they got Rasheed wallace.</div>The Pistons had 4 All-Stars last year: Big Ben, Chauncey, Sheed, and Rip. Prince wasn't an All-Star last year, Sheed was, so I think you should have mentioned him as one. Tayshaun can be, and probably will be, but not this year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Oct 5 2006, 10:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Pistons had 4 All-Stars last year: Big Ben, Chauncey, Sheed, and Rip. Prince wasn't an All-Star last year, Sheed was, so I think you should have mentioned him as one. Tayshaun can be, and probably will be, but not this year.</div>To me they still have 4. Prince I really have a big feeling he is going to have a breakout season.
Good reading that. Thanks Balla. I agree with alot of what you said and disagreed with a bit as well. The only point I feel the need to refute is the Bucks. Losing JMc IMO was a good lose for.I thinhk it will help Bogut reach his Potential, Sure Jamaal is a former allstar *cough* but Nothing Improves a player like some good ol fasioned playing time. With Charlie V and Bogut in the front court they will have some night when they make a load of mistakes but sometimes that is the best way to learn. They will also have nights when they will totally dominate,- On the whole though, getting more playing time will help Bogut not hinder him.Once again great read, and thanks Balla
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PiN0Y Ba11a @ Oct 5 2006, 11:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>To me they still have 4. Prince I really have a big feeling he is going to have a breakout season.</div>I dont consider Rasheed or Tayshaun Prince true all stars, Rasheed Wallace would never make the All Star Team in the Western Conference.I have a hard time considering them all star players.
