The latter half of February is always an important portion of the NBA season, usually because of the trade deadline. Yes, the All-Star game tends to occur around this time as well, but as I have mentioned before, no one really likes All-Star games, in any sport. The NBA, however, has the unique ability to break this trend, due to its array of other competitions.
In the All-Star game itself, either the East or West won, with an overall score of about 300, I think (as you can see, who cares). But the real excitement occurred earlier in the weekend, with the likes of the dunk contest and the three-point challenge. There are other competitions, such as the shooting challenge, but there's a WNBA player involved in that segment, so................ once again, who cares.
The Slam Dunk competition, however, did impress, although the outcome was certainly expected. "Rookie" standout Blake Griffin (I say "rookie" because he was drafted a year earlier) wowed the crowd with antics alike the performances we have seen from him throughout the year (All available here). JaVale McGee made it to the final as well, yet his dunks were unable to woo the crowd in any fashion similar to Griffin's final dunk, over a car. Yes over a car. With a pass from Baron Davis through the moonroof, or the sunroof? Who knows the difference really?
But the real excitement of this week in basketball came from Blake's assistant, Baron, and many other stars who were shipped off to other teams at the trade deadline. First, let me say, that I love trades. I mean, what's better than a shift of power? It's the closest amount of excitement I can get to being the fan of a winning team. Thus, the trade deadline, where the most shifts happen in a period of 24 hours, is one of my favorite days of any sports season. And the 2011 NBA trade deadline did not disappoint.
The most publicized mid-season trade, perhaps ever, was a "long time comin'". Former Nugget Carmelo Anthony had been wanting a trade since the beginning of the year, and he finally got it. After toying with the idea of ending up in New York or New Jersey, Carmelo, along with Chauncey Billups, became the newest New York Knick. Thus, the Knicks become the third Eastern Conference team, the others being the Heat and the Celtics, to boast three Super Stars. Subsequently, the East becomes more powerful than a single conference has been in recent memory. Yet, ironically, the West still includes NBA powerhouses in San Antonio and Los Angeles (not the Clippers), both of whom are easily capable of beating the best of the East.
Blockbuster trades occurred in other places, as well. Baron Davis, a man who is capable of changing the course of any season for a team ('08 Warriors), has been sent to die in Cleveland. The last place team needed some help, but I doubt Baron will be able to do anything close to bringing the Cavs back to the Lebron Era. As well, there will no longer be any Davis-Griffin alley oops to discuss, and Blake will have to rely on his supporting cast to either throw him great near-rim passes, or just miss really badly. I doubt they will have trouble with the latter.
Other small trades occurred, including the Warriors re-acquiring Troy Murphy, and Kirk Hinrich being essentially switched with Mike Bibby in Atlanta. The Celtics also made headlines by parting ways with Kendrick Perkins, in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, bringing a little bit of in-the-paint power to the West. As well, pushes were made for people like Marcus Camby and Chris Paul, yet both were unsuccessful. Overall, the big expected trades happened, in New York and in other small cases, and some shocking trades were made (Boston). Yet many teams that had wanted to receive some talent were unsuccessful, and will continue to remain at the lower end of the NBA totem pole.
But, the team that seemed in need of star power the most did finally receive some help. After battling with the Knicks for Carmelo, minority owner Jay-Z, and the New Jersey Nets, were able to make a last minute push for All-Star Deron Williams, who, with the edition of hopefully another star this offseason, will be able to lead the Nets, on their 5-year plan towards a championship.
In the All-Star game itself, either the East or West won, with an overall score of about 300, I think (as you can see, who cares). But the real excitement occurred earlier in the weekend, with the likes of the dunk contest and the three-point challenge. There are other competitions, such as the shooting challenge, but there's a WNBA player involved in that segment, so................ once again, who cares.
The Slam Dunk competition, however, did impress, although the outcome was certainly expected. "Rookie" standout Blake Griffin (I say "rookie" because he was drafted a year earlier) wowed the crowd with antics alike the performances we have seen from him throughout the year (All available here). JaVale McGee made it to the final as well, yet his dunks were unable to woo the crowd in any fashion similar to Griffin's final dunk, over a car. Yes over a car. With a pass from Baron Davis through the moonroof, or the sunroof? Who knows the difference really?But the real excitement of this week in basketball came from Blake's assistant, Baron, and many other stars who were shipped off to other teams at the trade deadline. First, let me say, that I love trades. I mean, what's better than a shift of power? It's the closest amount of excitement I can get to being the fan of a winning team. Thus, the trade deadline, where the most shifts happen in a period of 24 hours, is one of my favorite days of any sports season. And the 2011 NBA trade deadline did not disappoint.
The most publicized mid-season trade, perhaps ever, was a "long time comin'". Former Nugget Carmelo Anthony had been wanting a trade since the beginning of the year, and he finally got it. After toying with the idea of ending up in New York or New Jersey, Carmelo, along with Chauncey Billups, became the newest New York Knick. Thus, the Knicks become the third Eastern Conference team, the others being the Heat and the Celtics, to boast three Super Stars. Subsequently, the East becomes more powerful than a single conference has been in recent memory. Yet, ironically, the West still includes NBA powerhouses in San Antonio and Los Angeles (not the Clippers), both of whom are easily capable of beating the best of the East.
But, the team that seemed in need of star power the most did finally receive some help. After battling with the Knicks for Carmelo, minority owner Jay-Z, and the New Jersey Nets, were able to make a last minute push for All-Star Deron Williams, who, with the edition of hopefully another star this offseason, will be able to lead the Nets, on their 5-year plan towards a championship.
troy murphy! the warriors are just comically bad!
ReplyDelete