The Miami Heat are making a big move for the second consecutive season. Last year Shaq left town and now Shawn Marion is on the move. The Heat have agreed to trade Marion and Marcus Banks to Toronto for Jermaine O'Neal and Jamario Moon.
This is a better deal for the Heat, who now have a big man to complement Wade and Beasley. Miami also saved themselves some cash, getting Marion off their books. As for Toronto, I don't see the team improving any because of this deal. The combination of Shawn Marion and Chris Bosh doesn't excite me and it just doesn't make Toronto any better.
NBA All-Star Grades
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Divison
Boston Celtics-44-11-This team still has the same fire but now has serious competion in the East with Cleveland. Grade A
Philadelphia 76'ers-27-24-This team is still looking like it will make the playoffs despite losing Elton Brand for the season. They have picked up the pieces well in Philly. Grade B
New Jersey Nets-24-29-A very young team that needs to learn how to win on the road. This team got the better of the Kidd/Harris deal, but shouls still be closer to .500. Grade C
New York Kincks-21-31-Head Coach Mike D'Antoni has brought a new look to this team that is much better then what Isiah Thomas was doing. The front office has to deal with Steph Marbury. This distraction is taking its toll on this organization. This team is still bad, but now tollerable. Grade C +
Toronto Raptors-21-34-After a very good season last year, this team has collapsed. They fired Head Coach Sam Mitchell and just traded away Jermaine O'Neal. This team has turned into a trainwreck. Grade D-
Central Divison
Cleveland Cavaliers-40-11-A 23-0 start at home before being knocked off the Lakers is incredible. Lebron James is the leading candidate for MVP and now he has help around him with Mo Williams. This team has a chance to win an NBA Championship. Grade A
Detroit Pistons-27-24-I knew Joe Dumars wanted to blow this team up, but he did it the wrong way. Why he traded Billups for Iverson other then salary cap reasons is beyond me. Detroit was known as a team that played under control and Allen Iverson, as great as he is, doesn't mix with that system. I think the coaching change also hurt them. Detroit's streak of Eastern Conference Finals apperances will end this year. Grade D
Milwaukee Bucks-26-29-With injuries to Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut, this team has really hung in there and has a chance to make the playoffs. In Milwaukee, I guess that is all that you can ask for. Grade B+
Chicago Bulls-23-30-The main piece is there for Chicago in Rose, the guy is a stud at the PG position. The other parts of the team have failed and this team as a whole has under-achieved. Chicago has a slim shot at making the playoffs if they make a deal at the deadline, but don't count on it. Grade C-
Indiana Pacers-21-33-This team is obviously in the rebuilding stage, but they found a star in Danny Granger. Right now, I think this team is playing the best they can with the players they have. Indiana has also beaten Boston and Cleveland already this season. Grade B
Southeast Division
Orlando Magic-38-13-Forget about their record. This team a few weeks ago was in contention, but no longer with the loss of Jameer Nelson. Even with Dwight Howard as your big man, a team can not go deep in the playoffs without their All-Star Point Guard. It's a bad break, but this is not Orlando's year. Grade A-before injury C-after injury
Atlanta Hawks-31-21-The Hawks are establishing themselves nicely after taking the Celtics to 7 games in their first round series last year. With Orlando's injury to Nelson, don't be surprised if Atlanta catches Orlando and takes the division. Grade A
Miami Heat-28-24-Miami has comeback nicely from that terrible season a year ago. If the Heat were real contenders, Dwayne Wade would get serious MVP consideration. It will be interesting to see how Wade and Jermaine O'Neal play together after the trade. Grade B
Charlotte Bobcats-21-31-I thought this team was on their way to drafting to success, and would one day make the playoffs with their home grown talent. That idea is out the window, this team has made too many trades and Head Coach Larry Brown is going to lose his mind. I don't know what the Bobacats are doing and I don't think they really know either. Grade D
Washington Wizards-11-42-The Wizards are the best D-League team in the NBA. This team can't stay healthy and fired Head Coach Eddie Jordan for no reason. Washington is headed for the most ping pong balls in the lottery. Grade D-
Western Conference
Southwest Division
San Antonio Spurs-35-16-Tony Parker and Manu lost a lot of games due to injury and this team is still very much alive. Tim Duncan is quietely having one of his best seasons. San Antonio struck gold again with the emergence of rookie Roger Mason. This team will compete again. Grade A
Houston Rockets-32-21-A respectable record, but Houston has problems. McGrady can't stay healthy and many players are talking about fellow teammates behind their backs. The Rockets have the talent on paper, but not the health and chemistry. Grade C-
New Orleans Hornets-30-20-New Orleans would have a better record if it weren't for injuries to Chris Paul, David West and Tyson Chandler. I expect New Orleans to have a great second half and be a pain for whoever they hook-up with in the playoffs. Grade B
Dallas Mavericks-31-21-This team is on its last leg and could easily miss the playoffs. They are recovering from that terrible trade they made last season for Jason Kidd and now have to deal with the injury to Jason Terry, who could be gone for the season with a broken hand. Dirk has kept the Mavs in the playoff race, but Dirk is not Kobe or Lebron. Grade C
Memphis Grizzlies-15-37-Memphis is kind of like Charlotte. They have all these lottery picks and now are trying to deal them away. The bottom line is this team shot themselves in the foot last season by trading Pau Gasol to the Lakers for nothing. This team will never give itself a chance to be successful. Grade D
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets-36-17-The Nuggets got exactly what they needed when they traded for Chauncey Billups. Billups has organized this team and helped them turn into a pretty good defensive team. If Kenyon Martin and Nene, who are both having outstanding seasons can stay healthy, the Nuggets streak of first round exits will end this year. Grade A
Portland Trailblazers-32-20-I thought this team would be improved, but Portland has taken it to a new level. I thought they would be only a few games over .500, not 12. However, this team is still very young. The Blazers will make the playoffs, but be an easy out. Grade A
Utah Jazz-30-23-The Jazz have caught the injury bug. Carlos Boozer hasn't played since November, Andre Kirilenko is really banged-up and Deron Williams is finally beginning to show signs that he is back to 100 %. With the injuries, Utah has found a solid player in Paul Millsap. This team could be the wildcard in the West if it can get healthy. Grade A
Minnesota Timberwolves-17-34-After Kevin McHale took over as Head Coach, this team has been on a terror. The hot-streak will be slowed nowthat Al Jefferson will be out for the season. If Minnesota was a playoff contender, Jefferson would have been an All-Star. This is a rebuilding team that was doing great things, but this Jefferson injury just kills the Wolves. Grade A-before injury...Grade C+- after injury.
Oklahoma City Thunder-13-40-Coming into the season I thought this team could set the all-time mark for fewest wins in a season. The Thunder have already broken that number and are competitive in most games, despite their 40 losses. Moving from Seattle, this team has been put in an impossible situation and are making the best of it. Grade B
Pacific Division
Los Angeles Lakers-42-10-Andrew Bynum went down and this team continues to roll. They are good, they are deep and they have Kobe Bryant. Grade A+
Phoenix Suns-28-23-Steve Kerr should be fired. He continues to make terrible trades and he brought in a terrible Head Coach in Terry Porter. With Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shaq this team should be in contention in the West. Instead, they are competing for the 8 spot in the West and exploring options to dump Stoudemire. Horrible. Grade F
Golden State Warriors 19-35-The Warriors are this decade's version of the Nuggets of the 90's. They shock the world as an 8 seed upsetting a 1 seed and then fall off the map. Golden State didn't address any needs during the offseason. This team had to improve it's defense and did nothing. It is time for Don Nelson to go. Grade D-
Los Angeles Clippers 13-40-At the beginning of the season NBA experts picked the Clippers as a possible dark horse in the West, after LA brought in Baron Davis and Marcus Camby. Well, they still suck. Grade F
Sacremento Kings 11-43-The Kings are horrible and might be the next franchise to relocate. Sacremento has a potential All-Star in Kevin Martin, but he has no supporting cast. The Kings will challenge Washington for the league's worst record, but atleast Washington has an excuse with their injuries. Grade F
My Post-All-Star Game NBA Power Ranks
1. L.A. Lakers
2.Cleveland Cavaliers
3.Boston Celtics
4.Denver Nuggets
5.San Antonio Spurs
6.Atlanta Hawks
7.Orlando Magic
8.New Orleans Hornets
9.Houston Rockets
10.Portland Trailblazers
11.Utah Jazz
12.Dallas Mavericks
13.Miami Heat
14.Philadelphia 76'ers
15.Phoenix Suns
16.Detroit Pistons
17.New Jersey Nets
18.Milwaukee Bucks
19.Chicago Bulls
20.New York Knicks
21.Indiana Pacers
22.Toronto Raptors
23.Charlotte Bobcats
24.Minnesota Timberwolves
25.Golden State Warriors
26.Memphis Grizzlies
27.Oklahoma City Thunder
28.L.A. Clippers
29.Washington Wizards
30.Sacremento Kings
Outlook
The worst record will belong to either the Kings or the Wizards. The Eastern Conference Playoffs have 8 teams, but only Boston and Cleveland have a chance to go to the NBA Finals. One team with a very good record will be left out of the playoffs in the West, probably Phoenix. The Nuggets will finally win a first round playoff series, but fall to San Antonio in the West-Semifinals. The Spurs will then go on to beat the Lakers for the West Crown. Whoever gets home court advantage between the Celtics and Cavaliers will end up losing to the Spurs in 6, in the NBA Finals. Popovich and the Spurs get it done for the last time with this core of players.
Rumor I just heard.......Amare Stoudemire may end up in Chicago or Miami...interesting.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Finalists were just announced. Among the finalists are Michael Jordan, David Robinson, John Stockton and Chris Mullin.
9 All Star Weekend predictions
1. Sophomores beat the Rookies tonight
2. JR Smith upsets Dwight Howard in the Dunk Contest
3. Tony Parker wins the Skills Challenge
4. Joe Johnson wins the H.O.R.S.E. event
5. Team San Antonio wins the Shooting Stars Competition
6. Jason Kapono again takes the 3 Point Competition
7. The East wins the game
8. The game goes over the total, no matter what it is
9. Dwayne Wade wins the MVP
Enjoy the weekend.
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