ADN

For the 2010-1011 season, that is quite a huge drop there (around 14%). However, if the economy does improve before then, I think that the money will rise.

Yo guys, so since most of these free agent things are finally done, let's analyze.

Pro's and con's for the teams that made trades -- well, specifically, the championship contenders -- Lakers, Boston, Orlando, Cleveland, Spurs.

Oh...and just so you guys know: The Spurs have added Antonio McDyess to their team (Source: )

Well, realistically, the pros and cons are the same...Usually there's a delicate balance between adding talent and messing with chemistry...I still think the Lakers come out on top here...Worst case scenario, if the Artest deal blows up in their face completely, they still have Lamar Odom...That's a helluva insurance policy that I don't think any other team has...

I think that the Lakers come out on top too overall. Ron Artest is among the top 3 most ferocious defenders in the league, so he can be able to defend the point guards and stop them from penetrating the lane. This will give Kobe room to roam about the pain for help on the weak side. After how rusty Andrew Bynum was in this playoffs, next seasno, he will only get better since he will have fully rehabbed his knee. Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar will steal some of Derek Fisher's time.

However, the Boston Celtics, after the addition of Rasheed Wallace, will come out on top in the East, they will be the eastern conference champions. Their lineup is just full of big men, and experience. KGs maniac energy and intensity will motivate Rasheed Wallace to play like he is capable of.

LoL, Orlando Magic will have more spectacular highlights after games due to the addition of Vice Carter, however, I think that they still needed to keep Hedo Turkoglu because of he was a forward who they ran their offense through late in the game during clutch situations. Vince Carter can not do that, but he can shoot too I guess.

Cleveland Cavaliers, even w/the addition of Shaquille O'Neal, I do not know how far they can go with that. Well, they can win a lot of games like last season, or succeed better than they did last season, if LeBron James and his team mates can stop their annoyingly stupid traditional choreographed dancing and taunting celebration before/during games in the so called name of "togetherness" and "camaraderie." Overall though, I still think that Magic will beat them in a series because of they could not defend Orlando's pick-and-roll game.

I'd say Lakers or Spurs, but give the edge to the Spurs since they addressed their areas of weakness better than anyone else in the league through FA, trades, and the draft.

They have lacked scoring the last few years, and have been missing a slasher with some size for even longer. In Jefferson they get the much needed scoring help and athleticism missing since Sean Elliot retired. McDyess gives them front court scoring options that plug Oberto, and Kurt Thomas just didn't bring to games. They also added depth, rebounding and toughness in drafting DeJuan Blair. Not to mention bench scoring and better perimeter defense in Jack McClinton.

The Lakers sold most of their draft picks thus didn't really add to their team, and the swap of Artest for Ariza shows an emphasis on the short term rather than long which works out great IF they win soon. Plus they have yet to resign Odom, so there's still a chance he might go elsewhere. It'd be dumb, but could still happen.

Boston did upgrade their starting 5, but might lose out on much of their front court depth as they have not resigned among other team FA's Glen Davis. Then again, their biggest weakness was, like the Spurs, they're getting older. Hence the injuries.

Orlando pretty much stayed the same team. IMO VC is a better player than Hedo, but Turk was a perfect fit for the team. Guess the Magic are counting on Nelson being fully healthy and solid the whole season since they lose Hedo and Alston.

The Cavs? Just what does Shaq add to the team? It's not like he ever defended the pick-and-roll. He's not the shot blocker from Orlando or LA. He's not even the defender he was in Miami. Sure he's strong enough to defend Dwight Howard on the block man-to-man, but Howard's post game was not the problem in the East finals. They still need better guards so LeBron can move around w/o the ball more.

Well, the Lakers are a relatively young team M8, only Kobe and Fisher are over 30...The draft was not going to help them anyway...I am totally shocked though, that Blair fell so low...I just didn't think anyone wouldn't want him on their team...

I think the Cavs trading for Shaq will absolutely blow up in their faces...As they say, everywhere Shaq goes, he leaves it bloody...I wouldn't be shocked if him and LeBron clash heads at some point during the season...

True, but Fish is pretty much done, and w/ Kobe I count years rather than age since he came straight from HS so I'd add at least 2 years of wear and tear to his age. Gasol (29) is pretty much the same since he pretty much played pro ball in Europe before joining the NBA so I'd put him in the 30ish group. But I understand the "win now" mentality.

And yes I said Fish is pretty much done. Just look at how much his minutes gut cut in the playoffs. I do like them bringing back Shannon Brown. Maybe the really believe Adam "pornstache" Morrison can contribute to the team?

Yo, look. Fish is not "pretty much done" lol. The minutes that he plays, they are very solid minutes. I hope you watched and saw what he did to Orlando in Game 4 -- he had been struggling throughout the playoff but hit two big 3s late in the game when it mattered most to first tie the game and send it to OT, then hit another beautiful rainbow one in overtime to put the game out for good.

They have Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar as extra point guards. In the clutch times, it will be Fish that will be playing. Kobe has at least 6 more years to play, the guy is a competitor. Andrew Bynum will only get better, watch out.

erokero85 wrote: Maybe the really believe Adam "pornstache" Morrison can contribute to the team?

CDR @ pornstache!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Adam is my wildcard...Like I've said in the other threads, we're talking Ariza this, Ariza that, and last year, Ariza on the same spot on the bench that Morrison was...I don't think its a matter of talent with him...I think he's competent...Playing with Kobe will bring the best out in you...Once he puts him through the ringer, Morrison could be good...He's already a good shooter, if he plays D, he'll make everyone forget about Trevor...Truth be told, the Laker's are really loaded...

I'm not sure about Fish...I think he gets good solid minutes, but without Farmar, he could be a liability at times...He can still shoot and make plays though...Until that's no longer a true statement, he's gonna be in the starting linuep...

Adam Morrison is currently playing summer league and he is doing very well. Hopefully he can stay healthy the whole season.

Lol, Ayhja. The reason why I was saying "Ariza this, Ariza that" is that, hmm...man, I know that whatever Ariza can do in terms of shooting and defense, Morrison can be trained to do it. BUT, lol...you cannot train somebody for athleticism man -- it is either you have it or not.

LoL Ariza is an athletic beast man, and he always carried the crowd into frenzy whenever he had the last touch of the ball on the fast break.

Did you ever see this?

Oh yeah...Ariza is more athletic for sure...But if he can work on his game and make 40% of this 3's, a natural shooter could be making close to 50%...Hit up youtube, check out some of the stuff there on Adam...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgCw3BTNH2E

You don't think 3's excite a crows as much or more than dunks..? ;)