[money-shot]

This Week in the Nba

(IMG:http://www.bloggerina.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/6a00d8341ceb4553ef00e54f5173788833-800wi-200x300.jpg)

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Most noteables to the Most underated

Yes, as you can see the enjoyable, factual and somewhat intruiging magazine "This Week in the Nba" is back and getting prepped for the new season, which, in case you didnt already know, is little over a month away. What that also means is that its time to have a look over the free agent mayhem and trading chaos we've seen in the big chunk of the offseason thats just passed us by.

First, let me give you an insight into the new features and things you'll be seeing from these articles over the coming year:

- New logo/title
Yup, as you can see at the top of the page, "This Week in the Nba" has its own title and logo, designed to keep it lively and in touch with its counterparts of the article and blogging world. Plus, as you can see, the title of the article is also now listed as part of the logo.

- Video inclusion
Providing a new look and different perspective on the concept of blogging. Every now and then i'll post videos outlining the point i'm making, and simply for your amusement, so stay tuned for that.

- Regular team updates, breaking it down division by division
At the start of every month I will be looking at each team, breaking it down into each division so you can track your team's progress and see if theres any news or developments you havent heard of.

- Its Competetion time!
Yes, for the first time nbaboards will have its own competition!. Each week i'll ask a question in this special segmant about the weeks action, or anything related to the game, and the person who provides me with the best or right anwser will have their reputation increased and their name placed into my list of "weekly winners". At the end of the season, the person with the most "wins" will be given a reward, courtesy of me. (Details to come, but readers must PM me their answers).

Excited?.. I sure know I am. But now its time to get on with the real stuff. And where best two start but with the offseasons most noteables and most underated. What I mean by this is the offseason moves (draft and trades included) that I think have warranted the status of being the most noteable and the most underated of the offseason so far. And bear in mind the ratings of these I'll leave to your to grade yourselves, feel free to comment on what you think are the best and worst. So lets get right to it;

Most Noteables:

-The Big Cactus heads to the aid of the King in the hunt for the leagues buried treasure (IMG:http://squabbles.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/shaq_oneal-150x150.jpg)

(Where else did you expect me to start with, really?..) The Big Deisel, The Big Cactus, The Famous Arestardul, whatever you call him, Shaq has worked his way into Cleveland and will partner Lebron james and they search for a championship. This is undoubtably the biggest and most talked about move this offeseason. During last years playoffs it became clear that despite the Cavs amazing ability to beat teams in the regular season that it was a different story come the post-season. Lebron was found in dire need of more around him and they fell short to an inspired Orlando Magic squad, hell bent on denying The King his dream matchup with Kobe Bryant in the finals. The biggest issue that the Cavs had was containing "Superman" down in the paint, and defending the pick and roll offense lead by Hedo Turkoglu. Other than these two problems many believe that the Cavs were all but equipped to challenge for the title. But, does adding Shaq, as great, amazing, innovative and dominant as he was and arguably still is solve these 2 issues?...
Well, heres my take- Big Z, Varejao and J.Smith were simply not good matchups for Dwight Howard. And having watched the finals it was made visible that as long as you kept good position early, gaurding Howard in the post was easier than some thought because of his lack of post moves. So, yes, by adding Shaq they not only "cancel" out Howard to a certain extent, but when you look at Boston and a couple of other teams who have added solid bigs to their rotation, he does help them in that sense. However, one thing he doesnt solve at all, is the problem they have of gaurding the pick and pop, pick and roll, or pick and flash offensives. And thats a huge issue when you consider that the Nba basically runs everything under the usage of those plays. Biq Z and Joe Smith were simply not quick enough to reamin in the play and Howard had a feild day if the opposite big tried to double Hedo. And the issue was so awful that even if both guys were somehow covered, it was because someone else had to be a third body, leaving 'Shard with the open jumper. Shaq doesnt solve this however. He is just as slow and will be found wanting if teams run that offense consistenly when he's on the floor. So i'll let you make your mind up, but essentially, in my opinion does he make them better?.. No.
(Side notes- Moon, Parker and the rookie D.Green, will provide solid contributions and are solid pickups for this ball club)


-The "answer" is found out in the blue city they call Memphis (IMG:http://cdn.thegiantlist.com/wp-content/uploads//2009/03/allen-iverson-picture-1-150x150.jpg)

One of the most drawn out and fan-frustrating free agency signings finally came to an end this week when the grizzlies signed Allen Answer to a 1-year deal, for a reported 3.5 million, which could raise to 4.8 should the Grizzlies withraw their offer to Jaun Carlos Navarro. Well, that was a given, the second they signed A.I Memphis then announced they had withdrawn that offer, so thats that then.
My queries over this dont just lie with the much talked about mindset of the grizzlies though. Over the past months the big question mark over this deal has been why Memphis would feel motivated to do it, bearing in mind that the general consensus has been that it would stunt the growth of Mayo, Conley and Gay. This is going to be the case to some extent in my opinion, by having AI there it takes the ball out of conley's hands, takes shots away from Gay and takes minutes from Mayo.. so thats somewhat puzzling. But, my issues dont stop there. Think about it, why does AI really want to do this?.. let me explain what I mean...
The BIG problem that AI has had has been finding somewhere that would offer him both ample playing time, and the chance to win a ring, and its been clear from everything he's said that it was a definative thing for him that he had BOTH of those as part of the team he went to. But, since when does he get the chance to compete for a ring in Memphis?... What I dont get is that yes, he's going to get as much playing time as he wants, but, he's been saying very clearly that at his age and this point in his career, the quest for a ring is driving him, and he wont be getting that. What this tells me is something I can only express in my final verdict.

Final Verdict- In my opinion AI going to Memphis shows that the Grizzlies have once again been mis-lead, and that Iverson has used his start status to fuel his other needs. What hasnt been mentioned or thought of is that next summer is the 2010 free for all. Iverson's deal is for a year. Where better for AI then Memphis to showcase that he's still got it and that he can lead a winner?.. If he goes to Charlotte, people then look and think that they must make the playoffs and progress because he was seen as the "missing" piece, but in Memphis, there are NO expectations, and with the freedom to do whatever he likes, he can put up big numbers and put himself back in the picture to be part of the free agent big spending of 2010.. let me know what you think, I bet that didnt cross your mind did it?...


-'Sheed adds firepower to Celtics frontcourt (IMG:http://www.blackcelebkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/rasheedwallace-and-daughter-150x150.jpg)

One of the most asked questions that the celtics and its fans have faced since Wallace joined from Detroit has been.. "do you think he'll disrupt the locker room?"... well i'll tell you.... "no".
Doc Rivers has a knack for being able to install a mindset into his players that in order to succeed, its a team effort. Even the hot-head, narrow-minded Stephon Marbury was kept in check. Rasheed Wallace has already expressed his willingness to do whatever it takes to win a championship, and part of the reasoning for that has been that he has reminded people that at this stage in his career, he wants to take this chance to do so. For the next two seasons the celtics have a player who brings intensity, defence, and something that everyone overlooks- defensive communcation from the frontcourt. Sound familiar?.. Oh yeah, Kevin Garnett just happens to be that type of player too... and its just so happens that these two are friends, and in my opinion that makes for a good combination. 'Sheed wont want to waste this chance, and with the team the Celtics already had, this is arguable the most underated, and most effective pickup this offseason by any team. His addition gives the eastern conference even more firepower in the frontcourt, and the Celtics have arguably the most versatile and deep frontcourt out there.


-The two Nba Finalists add strong, versatile swingmen to the mix
(IMG:http://www.everyjoe.com/files/2009/07/ron-artest-lakers-20090517_zaf_n08_019-150x150.jpg) / (IMG:http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba-blog/IMG/cache-150x150/arton47050-150x150.jpg)

This offseason the Nba's two current conference champs found themselves timkering with successful formulas and saw them both lose and add verstile swingmen.
The Lakers began the summer by waving breakout SF Trevor Ariza goodbye as he headed down to Houston, Texas to fill a whole left by Ron Artest. However, the whole that ariza left was then in turn filled by Ron Artest. So I guess in theory its a trade, without being a trade..?... I dont know anymore...
Anyway, what Artest does bring that Ariza didnt have in the ability to consistently defend the opposing teams star player, and doing this over 48 minutes, therefore freeing Kobe to keep out of foul trouble. Which, in case you hadnt noticed, is a scary prospect because Kobe Bryant just happens to be a little bit good with a basketball. In addition to that, he can also handle the ball, again relieving Kobe of extra work in those sitations where Fisher isnt on the court.
The Lakers have what is believed by many to be the most well rounded and complete rosters in the Nba. And with a distant, rolled eyes expression on my face, I cant say I disagree. From all angles they have weapons off the bench, and in all positions. When you look at their rotation you have to conceed that they are equipped for another stint atop of the Western Conference, and its going to be another chance for us to see who can get near them.

The Magic added VC, Vince Carter. Along with the addition of Brandon bass the Magic have certain become yet another force to come out of the eastern conference. The dynamic of this team changes for the better in my opinion. With the pickup of Bass it will allow 'Shard to revert to his natural position of SF, and because of this they have a more conventional lineup, which will help them defensively, especially come playoff time. With VC, Shard and Pietrus I'd say thats pretty impressive in that area and that the Magic look a much stronger outlook.
As for what VC brings individually, he brings with him the ability to shoot the long ball, slash to the whole regularly, and more importantly he can become the second major star name that the Magic needed. Ok, Hedo had roughly the same skill set that VC has, but, by saying that the "Magic have Howard and Carter" (go ahead, say it aloud and see what I mean), its makes them seem so much more formidable.
My verdict for this is that VC is a great pickup, as long as he is used correctly and doesnt take too many unneeded shots.

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Most Underated:

These are the pickups that are what I consider to have been overlooked in their cleverness and their lack of value. What these are are the sorts of things that can make or break a season, but have got hardly any exposure. So, he we go.

-Portland leave a "Trail" of experience in the gym with Miller (IMG:http://www.crimsonclub.utah.edu/images/AndreMiller.gif)

For me this is easily the most underated deal of the summer. With Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Fernandez etc in Portland, the last thing they needed was a scoring point gaurd. With such a young roster the last thing they needed was another young point guard. With Jerryd Bayless the last thing they wanted was another young point gaurd to distract and hinder him. In Miller they have the perfect contract to all those things.
The key issue many saw in the Blazers last term was the desperate need to relieve Roy of having to have the ball in his hands so much, and the need for a veteran voice to help run their young lineup. What Miller is and does is the absolute perfect fit for the Blazers. He brings defense, rebounding, passing, veteran leadership and competent all handling. In addition to these things, Bayless now has the perfect compliment to him at the gaurd spot and will be able to learn alot from him as he continues to develop into what I think will be a very good starting PG in the future. That is what makes this a Grade A+ pickup in my eyes because he personifies their needs, and thats why I have them making third, yes, your eyes read this right... THIRD, in the Western Conference.


-San Antonio becomes the Dark Horse figure yet again.. (IMG:http://jeffpearlman.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/2jefferson-150x150.jpg) (IMG:http://www.nbarumors.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/400px-Mcdyess_free_throw-150x150.jpg)

It amazes me that the Spurs manage to do this every year. They are the role models to which every franchise should base their game plan should centred around. Every year the offseason begins with the old, (and somewhat pointless) allegations and comments;

"The spurs?.. nah dude, those fools are too old to win enough games!"

"They aren't deep enough to go anywhere this year"

and then some fool says-

"Duncan's on the decline, he cant do anything anymore!"

And yet every single year this amazing franchise makes moves that makes them the dark horse, or as was seen last year with Roger Mason Jr, someone on their roster steps up at the right times and they become a force once more.
In Jefferson and McDyess the Spurs have picked up two verteran guys who always, always deliver on their task and will give them everything they have. In R.Jeff they have a guy who can provide an extra kicker beside a healthy Manu, Parker and Duncan. He also gives them a sure-fire SF, which is something they havent had previously, which means that he has sured up that area and gives them a great gap-filler. And in McDyess they have themselves a proven role player he always provides solid minutes and consistent contribution off the bench. Write these guys off at your peril because its a testament to the organisation, and Pop that they seem to be a force every year. I see these guys moving nicley into second place behind the Lakers this year.

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well, that days is for this offseason edition, and first article of the season of "This Week in the Nba", your favourite magazine article found here on nbaboards. Be sure to check in soon for the next installment, where I take a look at all 30 is theres years first round draft picks.

Hope you enjoyed it, be sure to check in next time

-Money

[Redneck]

nice write up. Ill try and get this on the main page shortly.

[Redneck]

ok this is up on both NBAhoopsonline and Dailyhoops.

[money-shot]

cool.. whats the general feel about this article?.. good?.. i'd like some feedback if possible seen as its the first one of the new season

[Hot-Shots]

I liked it. Simple, and broke up to easily find good stuff. Good job.

[Celtic Fan]

finally got a chance to read it all.

great stuff.

I'd only slightly disagree with the VC assessment in that I believe that Hedo was a glue guy who did a lot of little things to make the offense flow and his intangibles will be missed. I still think they'll be a good team, but they'll be a more conventional team and easier to match up with if Bass is the starting PF and thus easier to beat in the playoffs.