The off season is not quite done but who cares, Lamar Odom will probably sign with the Lakers and everything in LA will be the same as before. Elsewhere, teams have been making drastic changes in order to contend for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Orlando gave up 3 starters to add Matt Barnes and his 5 ppg and Vince Carter and CJ Watson, Cleveland added Shaq, Boston went out and got Rasheed and the Spurs got Jefferson.
The best of those 4 moves, I believe, is San Antonio trading for Jefferson. They gave up many old timers to get a decent scorer back, but I don’t think this will put them over the top. They lost 4-1 against the Mavs last year, and the Mavs ended up losting 4-1 to the Nuggets, so can the Spurs even match up with Denver? I don’t think so. Denver’s offense is too potent to be fully contained and their defense isn’t half bad either.
Cleveland adding Shaq would be the next best move. This gives Lebron his first legitimate partner (c’mon, Mo Willaims?), and a big man to challenge Dwight Howard, look for them to challenge Orlando for the crown of the East next May.
Orlando’s moves are.. iffy at best. They gave up 3 key players (Hedo, Lee, Rafer) to get the aging Vince Carter. If they hadn’t dipped deep into luxury tax territory to keep Gortat, get Bass, Barnes and CJ Watson, they would have no chance of repeating their run.
Danny Ainge, you tried the exact same thing 2 years ago when you gave up all those players for KG and Ray Allen, and you got lucky when Rondo developed and all your role players stepped up. Now, you’re doing the same thing except you’re giving up 2 great role players for Rasheed Wallace, another role player. Rasheed Wallace is way past his prime. Who’s going to step up now? Brian Scalabrine? Have fun being swept by the Cavs/Magic
