Sizing up the Trade Deadline

With the trade deadline having come and gone, a number of questions arise. Which teams benefited the most? Which teams will be shaking their head in a years time? Who will take it all?

I'll break it down like this-

Best acquisition



1. Pau Gasol


The L.A. Lakers were already borderline championship contenders with the likes of Lamar Odom, ever-improving bigman Andrew Bynum and the reigning scoring champ. The addition of Gasol (without giving up one of their "top10" players) to the Lakers gives them perhaps the best frontcourt in the league, (one of) the best one-on-one players and arguably the deepest team in the league (Shouts to DFish, Sasha, JFarm, Bill Walton's son and Ariza). They're 9-1 since Pau joined the squad and Bynum isn't even healthy yet. Needless to say, in the uber competitive West - they are my pick to win it all.




2. Shaquille O'Neal

The Big Aristotle has packed up his bags in a quest for a 5th NBA championship. The destination, Phoenix. The Suns pulled a shocking move when they traded do-it-all foward Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks for the staggering $20mil/season O'Neal. Personally, I thought it was a slight overreaction considering how close they came to winning it all last year (They should have beat those fucking Spurs) and they were still amongst the top teams in the West this year! But, you can't tell Steve Kerr nothin! He truly believes that Shaq is the missing piece to the puzzle. I think they'll really miss Marion defensivley and his unselfish 17ppg. It looks as though the Suns are going to become a team that can run and gun, and also have a feared half-court offense. If nothing else, this move sures up their front line, gives them a banger on the block and moves Amare to the 4....oh shit! I think it will take a time for the new group to mesh, but come playoff time - no one wants to play the Suns.


3. Ben Wallace/ Joe Smith/ Delonte West/ Wally Szczerbiak


As the readers will soon learn, I am a die hard Lebron James fan. So, naturally the Cleveland Cavaliers are my favorite team. I've seen the ups and downs of the past four seasons, culminating in a "undeserved" Finals birth last year. Yeah, they got swept, but I will contest that they were the best team in the East until I die. The Cavs needed to make a move at the deadline, and boy - did they ever. They pulled off a 3 team/11 player trade with Seattle and Chicago. They got rid of Larry "I am genuinley not worth the money" Hughes, Drew Gooden and some change (lesser players). What they got back is stiffling in my eyes. A former Defensive P.O.Y in Ben Wallace who was underachieving, but I still believe has plenty in the tank (I don't think he was trying too hard in the Windy City). They got former #1 Joe Smith who is pretty equal to (though older than) Gooden. In addition they acquired a true point guard (thank god) in Delonte West and a proven scorer in Wally Szczczczcczczerbiak. It set them back an extra $6 mil, but I believe this makes them a massive threat to eastern powerhouses Detroit and Boston.

4. Jason Kidd


Do I really believe JKidd is the savior in Dallas? The answer is quite simple, FUCK NO. Sure, he makes everyone around him better and someone told me he dropped 17 assists last night, but I'm not sold. Dallas will feel this trade in the long run, trust me. They had to give up alot for "the best all around pg in the league" (CP3, I see you). They shipped out Devin Harris, who was called the point guard for Dallas' future, athletic bigman Dasagna Diop and others bits and pieces of the team that DWade lit up time and again in the 2006 Finals. My thing is that - the point guard position wasn't Dallas' most glaring need! Sure, they made an improvement and Mark Cuban is having wet dreams, but I really don't think they can romp with the Suns or the Lakers (among others) in a 7 game series. They have talent and the reigning "MVP", but I think the West is too thick this year. I think Much like Phoenix, Dallas has bartered it's future and closed it's window to win a chip to a few years. Watch Kidd play 5 more seasons and I'll upload my blushing face.


5. The Sleepers

• Damon Stoudamire: The Spurs continue to keep their average age above 30 years by signing the veteran point guard. By releasing Brent Barry, there will be more shooting weight on Mighty Mouse's shoulders. Make those 95' Raptor fans proud!

• Brent Barry: If I was a contender, I would want this guy on the squad. Currently a free agent, Brent got released by the Seattle after a trade for Kurt Thomas. Brent is a former Slam Dunk Champ, a 2 time NBA champ with the Spurs and is deadly from 3 point range. I guarentee he makes his way several rounds deep with a new squad (word has it the Celtics, Suns, Spurs and Nuggets have interest).

• Primo Brezec: After being traded for Juan Dixon, Primo is ready to finally get some touches in Toronto. Much to the chagrin of Kris Humphries, "DJ" Primo will likely be gettin some good minutes off the bench to bang in the playoffs. hahah Im just playin, he will likely be the Non factor of the year.