You know what kind of trade THAT is. The kind that produces a “breaking news” headline on ESPN. The kind that either makes or break a franchise, and puts the General Manager’s name and job on the line. Well it just happened three times in two weeks. The GM’s of the future are either produce now or expect to be fired, and many GM’s in the NBA have felt the heat all season. With the trade deadline looming, three teams left it all on the line and attempted to make a major push towards the championship. So the questions now arise in the Western Conference as to just who will come out on top. Ever since Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen boarded a plane to Boston the Eastern Conference was pretty much all figured out; either the Pistons or the Celtics were favored to be the winner. But the West? The all-mighty powerful and talented Western Conference? Oh boy, are we in for a treat.
Nine teams in the West all have a legitimate shot to win the conference, and with three recent major moves, teams in the West are now stronger than we had imagined. Kobe Bryant just got his Scottie Pippen in Pau Gasol. Steve Nash just got his Shaquille O’Neal in well, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dirk Nowitzki finally has a team-oriented, veteran point guard in Jason Kidd. If Cuban was disappointed in losing to the overachieving Golden State Warriors in the 2007 NBA Playoffs, just imagine how irate he’ll be if this Mavericks team stumbles at the end. Don’t let us forget about the 2007 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs. Once again they are the quiet major power in the West and have used fundamentals and team chemistry rather than major acquisitions to formulate winning teams.
Nine teams in the West all have a legitimate shot to win the conference, and with three recent major moves, teams in the West are now stronger than we had imagined. Kobe Bryant just got his Scottie Pippen in Pau Gasol. Steve Nash just got his Shaquille O’Neal in well, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dirk Nowitzki finally has a team-oriented, veteran point guard in Jason Kidd. If Cuban was disappointed in losing to the overachieving Golden State Warriors in the 2007 NBA Playoffs, just imagine how irate he’ll be if this Mavericks team stumbles at the end. Don’t let us forget about the 2007 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs. Once again they are the quiet major power in the West and have used fundamentals and team chemistry rather than major acquisitions to formulate winning teams.
And now for the predictions. You might think I am jumping the ball here, but the Los Angeles Lakers, with a healthy Andrew Bynum, is the team to beat in the West. Don’t bash me just yet. They haven’t lost a game since trading for Gasol, and a Bynum-less Lakers are easily in the top 4 of the Western Conference. Bynum pushes them into arguably the top spot come playoffs.
So where does this leave the other contenders that are pulling their hair out over my pick? The Hornets are a mere 13-15 on the road this year, and that just isn’t enough when wins are needed against big-time opponents in the playoffs. Pre-February I would argue the Hornets have a shot, but after seeing three opposing teams make major trades since, they have fell slightly below the upper tier in the West
So where does this leave the other contenders that are pulling their hair out over my pick? The Hornets are a mere 13-15 on the road this year, and that just isn’t enough when wins are needed against big-time opponents in the playoffs. Pre-February I would argue the Hornets have a shot, but after seeing three opposing teams make major trades since, they have fell slightly below the upper tier in the West
We also have the Suns, who believe that THEY have just pieced together a championship team with the swap of Shawn Marion for Shaq. Why shouldn’t they? Amare Stoudamire can finally move to his true position, power forward, and Shaq can become a role player, except, in the form of a monster. This is just what Nash needed to take his MVP skills onto the big stage. Aside from beating the Mavericks on February 14th, the last time the Suns won a game against a major opponent in the West had been January 17th against a Lakers squad without Bynum or Gasol. It is still undecided as to how the Shaq effect will unfold, and will be very interesting in seeing how much Marion meant to this franchise.
The only other team with more to prove is the Mavericks. Don Nelson’s ability to mend together a deal for Kidd may be telling of how much the Mavericks desire to avenge the loss to the Warriors last year. Cuban wants a title and will not stop until his team reaches that goal. They gave up major role players in Devin Harris and DeSagana Diop, and unless Kidd can forge a winning chemistry between himself, Nowitzki, and Josh Howard, the Mavs are in for another disappointing finish.
So there you have it. The next few months shall be interesting, and will most surely prove how effective a major mid-season move may have on the outcome of a season. The Lakers and Suns face off on February 20th for Shaq’s debut, and you know who I’m picking.
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3 responses so far ↓
Tony DeFreitas // February 20, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Hey solid post. Get ready to put up an addendum to this post if Artest gets traded to Denver to form a crazy team of Melo, RonRon and A.I. That will be a very intimidating team.
Wallace // February 21, 2008 at 12:48 am
I like the post. I just wanted to add that the Lakers clearly made the best move because not only are they better this year but Gasol is only 28, so with him and Bynum the Lakers will be good for a while.
Editor // February 21, 2008 at 2:45 am
Also, Gasol came at no cost. Old, washed up Shaq cost Shawn Marion and Kidd cost up and coming Devin Harris.
I think the lakers showed the value in acting first when it comes to trades.