| 17 December 2010
Now it's time for the West: possibly the Association's stronger conference, but also the most perplexing.
Here goes...
Here goes...
Dallas Mavericks
Need: Not a lot really - to stop making excuses? Though it seems that Carlisle has finally got everyone on the same page re: defence and since then they're the hottest team in the NBA. What an effect a beast like Tyson Chandler can have eh?
Have: Heaps - Haywood and Butler being the most attractive chips. TBH though I can't see them trading unless it's a no brainer like Melo. Hard for Cuban to do as the guy is so impulsive, but I think they realise they've finally got a good thing here.
Denver Nuggets
Have: Heaps - Haywood and Butler being the most attractive chips. TBH though I can't see them trading unless it's a no brainer like Melo. Hard for Cuban to do as the guy is so impulsive, but I think they realise they've finally got a good thing here.
Denver NuggetsNeed: To find the best possible scenario they can for Melo. He is going Denver fans that much is clear, but you really need to be thankful that unlike LeBron, the guy has some morals and is going to allow you to use him as a commodity. Favors in the Rockies spells a bright future. Otherwise this team needs a true C (Nene is a PF folks kinda like Duncan) and some reliability.
Have: 2 big assetts that people want to get their hands on in Melo and Billups. They also have prodigious talent like JR Smith, Aaron Afflalo (who has shown what he can do with minutes), and Gary Forbes - they kind of lures that can be used to get teams to take players like K-Mart and Billups. Want to know what's scary? I see Billups in a Lakers jersey come All-Star break..... Especially if Bynum gets well.
Golden State Warriors
Need: A PG.... I kid, I kid....
A C or a PF.
Lee is nice but is still adjusting to the tempo shift. A complementary, as Lee is a passing big, C would be great. Biedrins is clearly no longer interested so send him back to Europe, cut the losses and get in some decent size. Drafting CJ Leslie here could be an investment in scary... Can you imagine him and Curry in 3 years??? Yikes!!!!
A C or a PF.
Lee is nice but is still adjusting to the tempo shift. A complementary, as Lee is a passing big, C would be great. Biedrins is clearly no longer interested so send him back to Europe, cut the losses and get in some decent size. Drafting CJ Leslie here could be an investment in scary... Can you imagine him and Curry in 3 years??? Yikes!!!!
Have: Montas Ellis, Andres Biedrins and some other players who haven't come on. Many teams are willing to take punts on these prodigies as they blame the GSW staff and development team for their... Well.... Lack of development. So trading away these assets could bring in a combo player to go alongside Curry and do some damage.
Someone in the vein of Joe Johnson (though that contract is a hindrance), Paul Pierce or Brandon Roy would be perfect. The do-it-all SG/SF type who can handle if necessary.
Someone in the vein of Joe Johnson (though that contract is a hindrance), Paul Pierce or Brandon Roy would be perfect. The do-it-all SG/SF type who can handle if necessary.
Houston Rockets
Need: So hard to say.
Injuries make gauging this team a real nightmare. Part of me thinks with Yao in they're a danger (see opening night and 1 point overtime loss to the Lakers) but another part of me thinks they're a team without a real game plan, or a direction. Now that Yao looks like being done? I lean towards the latter even more.
They have good pieces - heck they even got Jordan Hill to perform to an NBA level - but their rotation is confusing.
Injuries make gauging this team a real nightmare. Part of me thinks with Yao in they're a danger (see opening night and 1 point overtime loss to the Lakers) but another part of me thinks they're a team without a real game plan, or a direction. Now that Yao looks like being done? I lean towards the latter even more.
They have good pieces - heck they even got Jordan Hill to perform to an NBA level - but their rotation is confusing.
Have: More picks than a draft - Morey was very crafty here and in the T-Mac trade and other trades has managed to acquire several picks in several drafts.
With a sucky year impending as well this could work out great for them come June. They could offer young talent to teams for established veterans... but I wonder what value there would be in that - unless it's acquiring expiring contracts like Eddy Curry so they can be a FA player next year they're really in limbo and have some tough decisions.
With a sucky year impending as well this could work out great for them come June. They could offer young talent to teams for established veterans... but I wonder what value there would be in that - unless it's acquiring expiring contracts like Eddy Curry so they can be a FA player next year they're really in limbo and have some tough decisions.
LA Clippers
Need: A new owner... A dietician for BD... A cognitive development test for Kaman...
But really they need some leadership on a team with so much young talent. Looks like they'll be acquiring more in the off-season as well so some players in the vein of Camby, Billups, or dare I say it, Elton Brand could be just what the youngsters need to fire properly on all cylinders. I still remember when Camby would go off, Jordan would come on and it was like watching a clone. Since Camby has left Jordan hasn't been the same - surely the Clipps have to realise this otherwise a poor mans Dwight Howard may go begging.
But really they need some leadership on a team with so much young talent. Looks like they'll be acquiring more in the off-season as well so some players in the vein of Camby, Billups, or dare I say it, Elton Brand could be just what the youngsters need to fire properly on all cylinders. I still remember when Camby would go off, Jordan would come on and it was like watching a clone. Since Camby has left Jordan hasn't been the same - surely the Clipps have to realise this otherwise a poor mans Dwight Howard may go begging.
Have: Most of the 2005 Timberwolves side and they need to get rid of them ASAP.
They also have Kaman and Diddy who, if fit, can help contenders now so realistically they can make good moves. The problem is a moron for a coach, and a front office run by a racist (yes he is up on vilification charges), so whether that gets done or not remains to be seen. Still with Griffin and Gordon this team has a VERY bright future that, with another lottery pick, can only get brighter (though I shouldn't use the word ONLY with this franchise.... Olawakandi anyone???).
They also have Kaman and Diddy who, if fit, can help contenders now so realistically they can make good moves. The problem is a moron for a coach, and a front office run by a racist (yes he is up on vilification charges), so whether that gets done or not remains to be seen. Still with Griffin and Gordon this team has a VERY bright future that, with another lottery pick, can only get brighter (though I shouldn't use the word ONLY with this franchise.... Olawakandi anyone???).
LA LakersNeed: Nothing. Like Boston this team is set. The only position they can upgrade is PG.
Have: Money, money and more money. They could buy Billups if they wanted and may yet do so... the recent trade of Vujacic for Joe Smith cleared up even more dollars that were basically being wasted.
Memphis Grizzlies
Need: To work out where the future is and start planning now.
They've gone a bit off track this year and are dissing Z-Bo the longer they don't answer his "extend me" calls. Gasol is a quality big but I think the weak link here is Mayo who, like Beasley, needs a change of scenery. So I say extend Z-Bo, trade Mayo, and get a 6th man style player in return. Their bench needs an impact player ala Ben Gordon.
They've gone a bit off track this year and are dissing Z-Bo the longer they don't answer his "extend me" calls. Gasol is a quality big but I think the weak link here is Mayo who, like Beasley, needs a change of scenery. So I say extend Z-Bo, trade Mayo, and get a 6th man style player in return. Their bench needs an impact player ala Ben Gordon.
Have: OJ Mayo, draft picks galore, and if they really want, Z-Bo. This team needs success soon if the franchise itself is to be viable so even another star to go alongside Rudy would be good. Conley's stock has risen majorly so package him with Thabeet and Mayo and get in some win now types and this could be turned around.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Need: Patience... Beasley was a great investment and they're finally seeing what happens when youngsters are given minutes. Love and Beasley are a SF/PF combo of the future and Milicic is a defensive big so really what they need is to just get it all together and with a bunch of youngens, that will take time.
I'm interested to see how Rubio fits into all this... I still say cut and run and trade him, just get something quality in return.
I'm interested to see how Rubio fits into all this... I still say cut and run and trade him, just get something quality in return.
Have: Anything a team could need except win now types. But if teams want young talent the Wolves have it. They also have PG's in abundance and some teams need that (New York, ATL, Toronto to name a few).
New Orleans Hornets
Need: A fan base not made entirely of bandwagoners... Thing is NOLA is a football town and the Saints are winning. Until they start losing, the Hornets are at best the #2 show in town.
Paul needs better players around him though and tough decisions need to be made. A high scoring SG is needed, not a specialist like Bellinelli. Ben Gordon or Rip Hamilton would be great here.
Paul needs better players around him though and tough decisions need to be made. A high scoring SG is needed, not a specialist like Bellinelli. Ben Gordon or Rip Hamilton would be great here.
Have: This is where it gets weird - now that Peja's contract has left, nothing that people want. This franchise is now OWNED by the NBA and may end up moving as a direct result.
So they could either have money, or not.
So they could either have money, or not.
OKC Thunder
Need: Experience.
If anyone is confused why the Thunder seem to be going backwards compared to the end of last season let me tell you it has nothing to do with Durant/Westbrook being tired from playing in the world champs, and it has everything to with knowing how to get the job done... business-like.
Talent they have in abundance, but a winning resume they do not and they NEED a Rip Hamilton, Chauncy Billups, or someone of that calibre of they're to take the next step.
For proof see Westbrook's POW results: 30 points, 8 rebs, 10 assists, 3 steals BUT... only 1 win and 3 losses. Talent is not everything and before you say it, Durant wouldn't have won those games - this is deeper than that (remember that the Bulls, another team famous for "building success" were able to win without Jordan or Pippen... But they needed that winner's swagger... People like Levingston and Hodges gave that to them).
If anyone is confused why the Thunder seem to be going backwards compared to the end of last season let me tell you it has nothing to do with Durant/Westbrook being tired from playing in the world champs, and it has everything to with knowing how to get the job done... business-like.
Talent they have in abundance, but a winning resume they do not and they NEED a Rip Hamilton, Chauncy Billups, or someone of that calibre of they're to take the next step.
For proof see Westbrook's POW results: 30 points, 8 rebs, 10 assists, 3 steals BUT... only 1 win and 3 losses. Talent is not everything and before you say it, Durant wouldn't have won those games - this is deeper than that (remember that the Bulls, another team famous for "building success" were able to win without Jordan or Pippen... But they needed that winner's swagger... People like Levingston and Hodges gave that to them).
Have: Harden, White, some contracts, picks.
Stuff teams want really, and if necessary they have Jeff Green - a Scottie Pippen type with range. They basically have all the tools to acquire that "key player" - they just need to decide who they will acquire, and then work up the gumption to pull the trigger. That's the hard part...
Stuff teams want really, and if necessary they have Jeff Green - a Scottie Pippen type with range. They basically have all the tools to acquire that "key player" - they just need to decide who they will acquire, and then work up the gumption to pull the trigger. That's the hard part...
Phoenix Suns
Need: A reset button that has a time machine built in.....
I'm sorry but when your best player is 38, your next best 36, and your next best 35 then you're on the way down whether you like it or not. I expect to see Nash, Richo and Hill all gone come All-Star break.
If not this wonderful team from the most racist state in the USA will go the way of it's people - clinging to a past that is no longer relevant or accurate.
I'm sorry but when your best player is 38, your next best 36, and your next best 35 then you're on the way down whether you like it or not. I expect to see Nash, Richo and Hill all gone come All-Star break.
If not this wonderful team from the most racist state in the USA will go the way of it's people - clinging to a past that is no longer relevant or accurate.
Have: See Nash, Steve and Richo, Richo. Both could seriously help teams wanting that bump up, and both could be nice acquisitions for teams looking to 2/3 years from now ala OKC.
Portland Trailblazers
Need: Some luck to go their way - now we hear Roy has no knee cartilage.
Between Roy, Camby, Oden, Przbylla etc etc etc, the Blazers have yet to put together anything resembling a consistent lineup. Aldridge has been the one contant yet he's been an inconsistent constant... They need to make tough decisions and decide where the future lies.
The Rose Garden is alive again, but its time to stop experimenting in the greenhouse and see the garden grow if you get me.
Between Roy, Camby, Oden, Przbylla etc etc etc, the Blazers have yet to put together anything resembling a consistent lineup. Aldridge has been the one contant yet he's been an inconsistent constant... They need to make tough decisions and decide where the future lies.
The Rose Garden is alive again, but its time to stop experimenting in the greenhouse and see the garden grow if you get me.
Have: So much....So so much..... Aldridge, Camby, Oden, Roy, Miller.... All these player given the forward strategy should be made available. In doing so they could acquire some real talent and some future prospects - I peronally believe a Joe Johnson for B-Roy trade is great, as is Aldridge for someone like Z-Bo. Either way they have assets and should get really good value in return.
Sacramento Kings
Need: To stop acquiring talent and finally do something with it. This team needs to stop being a perennial builder and start becoming a real team. Omri Casspi and Donte Greene have been competing for the SF position for 2.5 seasons now - just decide already!!
Have: Young talent and lots of it - players that teams looking to rebuild could really use. They need to build around Cousins and Evans and just go from there. They should stop being silly and rest Evans properly so he can come back next season.
The time freed can be used ton FINALLY decide on which SF/PF's to keep.
The time freed can be used ton FINALLY decide on which SF/PF's to keep.
San Antonio Spurs
Need: Not a lot really - a youth elixir would be great but you wouldn't know it at present. We'll see if we're saying the same thing in 60 games though.... Pop always has contingency plans though and I expect him to have several here.
Have: Talent. Duncans expiring contract - and it's not inconceivable that Duncan be traded, released, then return home. Pop and Duncan are like that and the Spurs may yet do it here.
Utah Jazz
Need: Time and a solid SG. Jefferson to adjust fully.
Have: Expiring contracts and multi-talented players. I can see Utah being involved in some way, in any large deal that goes down in trade period be it Melo or something else.
Sloan is a man of slight upgrades and he'll do the same here.
Sloan is a man of slight upgrades and he'll do the same here.
