A nation shared its proudness and appreciation Sunday. Basketball was MADE IN THE USA, after all. LeBron James, among all players, was the man of red, white and blue, representing the United States with a sense of pride and grace and led the U.S. to back-to-back Olympic gold medals. He, among all players, jumped for joy in celebration near the bench, wearing a widened smile as if he was a kid who opened a brand new Spalding basketball with MJ’s signature on it. As he led the Americans in the gold-medal game, he was entitled to jubilate with his U.S. teammates, he was entitled to laugh and crack jokes with the youngest one on the team, Anthony Davis.
The man who is the most polarizing figure is suddenly an American hero for restoring hope in U.S. basketball, for reducing the embarrassment of falling from grace in a game we originated, dominated, popularized, and then produced NBA’s finest studs to showcase a new era of talented stars. The man who is the most loathed player is suddenly a savior, a humble and unselfish human being. You don’t have to like him, no, but what he’s done for U.S. basketball is beyond incredible — it’s athletic brilliance and staying power. Maybe after he searched for U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski on the sideline and greeted him with a hug, you perceive him differently. Maybe after he stood on the podium, aglow with pride, fighting back tears as the Star Spangled Banner belted out of the loudspeaker, you have gained more respect for James. Lauded in these games, he wrapped the American flag around his shoulders and sprinted a victory lap around the court, and then celebrated with the guys proudly and happily.
He didn’t just make the country proud — he escaped hatred, anger and antipathy as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. It marked the first time, since the megalomaniacal spectacle he televised to announce that he would be signing with the Miami Heat, that he’s pleased millions nationwide. It marked the first time, since he departed Cleveland abruptly to outrage most of the town, that he’s beautifully appreciated for an unpaid effort to compete for our country and be honored for healing America’s basketball woes. The dominance of the United States men’s basketball team, mainly because of James’ leadership and humility, has been profoundly crafty and unbeatable. With James on the U.S. side, the basketball program has risen to the top of the world again, built with NBA stars from a number of franchises that came together and contended against world-class athletes as the game is globalized. You may not love LeBron, but he loves you, willing to sacrifice his vacation months to represent this country in a respectful manner. That’s what he did this summer — unselfishly and willingly — and didn’t mind playing for his country. Before they partied in London, with gold medals hanging from their necks, James poured in 19 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had a team-high four assists, all while he was in foul trouble.
So he finally smiled, breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he had just done something good for America, where he’s despised and demonized because of jealousy or bitterness. But now, we can only send our thanks and bow to the King after his excellent performances throughout the tournament. There’s no doubt, just no doubt, that James would have been named the MVP in the Olympics, if such an honorable award existed. But in America, he’s clearly our Most Valuable Player, the global superstar we are impressed by and call our superhero. For James, the reigning NBA champion after winning his first title for the Miami Heat, he’s the iconic face of American sports, particularly for what he’s accomplished in these Olympics. And by no means were Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant underachievers in London, as the team almost featured a different star on a nightly basis.
Durant, meanwhile, scored 30 points and collected nine rebounds and Bryant scored 17 points. This time, respectfully so, the United States needed James in the fourth quarter. As time dwindled down in the final period — like he did last spring for the Heat — he came through when it counted the most to prove to the world that he’s a clutch performer. He carried Team USA on his shoulders, just as he carried the flag proudly when it all came to an end on the last day of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, a chance for the players to get to know one another as they came together as respected teammates. But most of all, even if you hate James, he did this for you, he did this for America, and he did this for me.
It’s about America, not LeBron. The absence of King James could have smudged Team USA’s gold-medal ambitions, but, of course, Krzyzewski lobbied for him to join Team USA and restore a winning personality internationally. We can make better sense of it, when perhaps James had the best fourth-quarter performance of the afternoon, silencing haters and doubters. It looks a lot like James isn’t selfish and egocentric, but a competitor who opted for a change of scenery and seized the opportunity to venture elsewhere to win a championship. The chosen one, the man of the fourth performed to hold off Spain late in the closing minutes. James basically rebranded U.S. basketball and repaired his bad-boy image. The nail-biting scare was when James took over, as the Americans coasted to a 107-100 victory.
The Spaniards tried to cut into a lead the U.S. owned, but down the stretch Chris Paul made a couple of baskets that extended the lead. The signature play happened when James drove to the lane for a dunk that gave the U.S. a 99-91 lead and put the icing on the cake. When Spain pulled within six points, LeBron was still playing aggressive, although he had four fouls, and responded by hitting a three-pointer that gave Team USA an eight-point advantage. At age 33, entering his 16th season, Bryant is still the best closer but isn’t as dominant. There’s the notion that Team USA could have taken home silver, if not for James, as the U.S. beat Spain by 11 points. In today’s game, LeBron is gradually stepping into the closer role in his prime, and four years from now in Rio, he’ll definitely be the star all eyes will be on.
The Americans are back to take back what was theirs at the Summer Olympics with the likes of Bryant, Paul, Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, Deron Williams and James Harden, doing it without the presence of Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard and Dwyane Wade.
But it’s about the USA and thanking James.
Showing posts with label Tyson Chandler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tyson Chandler. Show all posts
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Mavs Need Helping Hand from Dirk Nowitzki or No Glory
This was a chance for Dirk Nowitzki to make the deepest statement, to vindicate that he is the prolific player of these NBA Finals and better than ever before, to send a sense of upbeat vibes in the series. This was when Nowitzki was supposed to kick butt and channel Chuck Norris or Cynthia Rothrock, and then inspirit David Hasselhoff to join the craze in the Heart of Texas. But he's delivered a subpar performance and rendered indisputably the most chaotic, lowest scoring percentage that we had the displeasure seeing in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
What we have seen is Nowitzki expose his weaknesses at the worst possible time, unable to avenge the painful memories from when he faltered in the 2006 Finals against the Miami Heat. The star of the Dallas Mavericks poured in 27 points in the lightest fashion and eventually unveiled he had sustained a torn tendon in the middle finger of his left hand. He stood in a corner on the court of American Airlines Arena in Miami, located on the edge of the bay, optimistic about his ability to play at an all-time high as the assassin who answered in prior series with no conscience for his array of phenomenal shots.
So when Nowitzki and the Mavericks withered in the first game of the series, missed shots and lost a decisive game, I had suddenly pondered and flashed back to the nightmarish point in time that he unsteadily unraveled. It's a no-brainer he's absolutely fixated on the task at hand, when he's never embraced the moment of capturing a second Western Conference title. It was the night he disappeared from the trophy presentation, jumping over the scorer's table and hiding in the tunnel to avoid the national spotlight of flashbulbs and swarming media personnel.
The last thing Nowitzki wants is another meltdown, on pace to avenge the painful collapse -- ready for a suspenseful and striking rematch on the path to redemption only if he grinds out his first ever NBA championship and doesn't come unglued in the national landscape given his reputation of descending. If you can recall, as the Mavericks took a 2-0 lead on the Heat in the '06 Finals, Nowitzki couldn't vanquish from the burden of failures in the past. There was one point, such as when we were overly obsessed with Nowitzki prematurely considered to be one of the greatest players of all-time, if not the deadliest shooter, when the god of the Mavs carried Dallas in Game 3 in Miami by maintaining a 13 point lead with 6:42 left, but then all of the sudden underperformed and took much criticism for the struggles.
Is he overrated?? In my view, he is the best player in these playoffs. And coming in a different scenario, he never has been fully capable of capturing a title or leading the Mavs to the biggest victory. This season, he was more than the freakish athlete, more than the appreciated star in Dallas, only a man endeared for modifying the personality in a sport that relies on an influx of star ballplayers. Before entering the Finals, he was a breakthrough performer who suddenly relived the moment, when he drove the Mavs literally through the postseason, including with the helpful contributions of the veteran point guard Jason Kidd, forward Shawn Marion, and the emotional defender at center Tyson Chandler and, of course, the journeyman Jason Terry -- a main fragment for the much-improved '06 Mavs.
As of today, he still has the chills and goosebumps by thinking of the bitter ending that he has never stopped dwelling on, knowing how close the Mavs were to winning a championship. That's how the situation looks for Nowitzki, a typical victim for not only allowing his opponents to defeat him, but also for beating himself. A day later, after watching film and working out in practice on Wednesday, Nowitzki said he is ready to respond. But then, he might be declining again when so much is on the line, hit by a roadblock now that the Heat stands in the way.
What's more, with many postseason appearances, is he advanced to his 11th straight postseason and started as one of only four players all time to average at least 25 points and 10 rebounds per game. That wouldn't, by the numbers, rank Nowitzki higher than many active ballplayers, although he has compiled 32.2 points on 55.7 percent shooting in the Western Conference Finals. In reality, he is an elite player, but he hasn't led the Mavs to a championship and stumbled in the finish. Therefore, he is trying harder than ever to not walk away winless in his 13th season.
A couple of weeks ago, he surely recalled the Game 3 collapse with too much mournful thoughts as Nowitzki lamented and finished 2-of-14 from the floor for 16 points in Game 4 of the '06 Finals in the 98-74 rout. The point is -- he performed the choke job in prior seasons -- particularly in critical series, at this time of year. All we know is that the Mavericks, owned by the cyber bully Mark Cuban, have a bevy of experience when the billionaire has lavished his players with wealthy paychecks to build the deepest contender in the West.
Now, we are left to wonder if Nowitzki can finally lead the Mavs five years after they were obliterated by the Heat. Now, we are left to wonder if Nowitzki, who is having the best season of his outstanding career, can actually transcend in his prime with a dimensional nucleus of talent. Twice in his winsome career, Kidd has lost in the Finals. There is even Terry and Peja Stojakovic, a pair of sharpshooters with lethal ability to slaughter their opponents from long range. Then come the Mavs’ centers, Chandler and Brendan Haywood, two of the tallest players with tremendous size in the paint. There is much to like about Nowitzki -- for instance -- he has proven to be a solid player, a perennial star in the postseason, though he hasn't proven he can lead a franchise to a championship.
That much is an explanation for all the criticism the much-scrutinized megastar takes in each season. But now, quicker than he drills a three-pointer, the Mavs' aspirations might be determined based on Nowitzki's ability to play at a moment when his presence is a necessity in Dallas' championship pursuit. And whether people are willing to believe it or not, Nowitzki admittedly informed everybody that he is optimistic the middle finger on his left hand with the torn tendon won't affect his ability to release shots.
Welcome to the playoffs, folks. Over the course of his career, Nowitzki has certainly fought through pain from injuries. First, he nursed a number of ankle sprains, and then he amazingly made a speedy return after having Carl Landry's chipped teeth removed from his elbow. Earlier in the season, he also recovered from a sprained right knee and returned sooner than expected. In his career, all with the Mavs, none of his injuries debilitated his athleticism or strength to push left on the court.
When it comes to Nowitzki, he is more efficient driving left than moving the ball right, and his shooting percentage is solid on the left side. If he desires to heal the wounds of postseason flaws and treasure the celebration of winning a title, then he needs to direct the Mavs in the biggest happenstance of his lifetime. Pressured to win it all or either worsen the criticism, it's a notion that it would be a miserable travesty in Dirk's elusive NBA career if he is devoid of a championship after having his best season.
As in the case with all players, particularly the stars of the sport, winning cures everything for Nowitzki, too.
What we have seen is Nowitzki expose his weaknesses at the worst possible time, unable to avenge the painful memories from when he faltered in the 2006 Finals against the Miami Heat. The star of the Dallas Mavericks poured in 27 points in the lightest fashion and eventually unveiled he had sustained a torn tendon in the middle finger of his left hand. He stood in a corner on the court of American Airlines Arena in Miami, located on the edge of the bay, optimistic about his ability to play at an all-time high as the assassin who answered in prior series with no conscience for his array of phenomenal shots.
So when Nowitzki and the Mavericks withered in the first game of the series, missed shots and lost a decisive game, I had suddenly pondered and flashed back to the nightmarish point in time that he unsteadily unraveled. It's a no-brainer he's absolutely fixated on the task at hand, when he's never embraced the moment of capturing a second Western Conference title. It was the night he disappeared from the trophy presentation, jumping over the scorer's table and hiding in the tunnel to avoid the national spotlight of flashbulbs and swarming media personnel.
The last thing Nowitzki wants is another meltdown, on pace to avenge the painful collapse -- ready for a suspenseful and striking rematch on the path to redemption only if he grinds out his first ever NBA championship and doesn't come unglued in the national landscape given his reputation of descending. If you can recall, as the Mavericks took a 2-0 lead on the Heat in the '06 Finals, Nowitzki couldn't vanquish from the burden of failures in the past. There was one point, such as when we were overly obsessed with Nowitzki prematurely considered to be one of the greatest players of all-time, if not the deadliest shooter, when the god of the Mavs carried Dallas in Game 3 in Miami by maintaining a 13 point lead with 6:42 left, but then all of the sudden underperformed and took much criticism for the struggles.
Is he overrated?? In my view, he is the best player in these playoffs. And coming in a different scenario, he never has been fully capable of capturing a title or leading the Mavs to the biggest victory. This season, he was more than the freakish athlete, more than the appreciated star in Dallas, only a man endeared for modifying the personality in a sport that relies on an influx of star ballplayers. Before entering the Finals, he was a breakthrough performer who suddenly relived the moment, when he drove the Mavs literally through the postseason, including with the helpful contributions of the veteran point guard Jason Kidd, forward Shawn Marion, and the emotional defender at center Tyson Chandler and, of course, the journeyman Jason Terry -- a main fragment for the much-improved '06 Mavs.
As of today, he still has the chills and goosebumps by thinking of the bitter ending that he has never stopped dwelling on, knowing how close the Mavs were to winning a championship. That's how the situation looks for Nowitzki, a typical victim for not only allowing his opponents to defeat him, but also for beating himself. A day later, after watching film and working out in practice on Wednesday, Nowitzki said he is ready to respond. But then, he might be declining again when so much is on the line, hit by a roadblock now that the Heat stands in the way.
What's more, with many postseason appearances, is he advanced to his 11th straight postseason and started as one of only four players all time to average at least 25 points and 10 rebounds per game. That wouldn't, by the numbers, rank Nowitzki higher than many active ballplayers, although he has compiled 32.2 points on 55.7 percent shooting in the Western Conference Finals. In reality, he is an elite player, but he hasn't led the Mavs to a championship and stumbled in the finish. Therefore, he is trying harder than ever to not walk away winless in his 13th season.
A couple of weeks ago, he surely recalled the Game 3 collapse with too much mournful thoughts as Nowitzki lamented and finished 2-of-14 from the floor for 16 points in Game 4 of the '06 Finals in the 98-74 rout. The point is -- he performed the choke job in prior seasons -- particularly in critical series, at this time of year. All we know is that the Mavericks, owned by the cyber bully Mark Cuban, have a bevy of experience when the billionaire has lavished his players with wealthy paychecks to build the deepest contender in the West.
Now, we are left to wonder if Nowitzki can finally lead the Mavs five years after they were obliterated by the Heat. Now, we are left to wonder if Nowitzki, who is having the best season of his outstanding career, can actually transcend in his prime with a dimensional nucleus of talent. Twice in his winsome career, Kidd has lost in the Finals. There is even Terry and Peja Stojakovic, a pair of sharpshooters with lethal ability to slaughter their opponents from long range. Then come the Mavs’ centers, Chandler and Brendan Haywood, two of the tallest players with tremendous size in the paint. There is much to like about Nowitzki -- for instance -- he has proven to be a solid player, a perennial star in the postseason, though he hasn't proven he can lead a franchise to a championship.
That much is an explanation for all the criticism the much-scrutinized megastar takes in each season. But now, quicker than he drills a three-pointer, the Mavs' aspirations might be determined based on Nowitzki's ability to play at a moment when his presence is a necessity in Dallas' championship pursuit. And whether people are willing to believe it or not, Nowitzki admittedly informed everybody that he is optimistic the middle finger on his left hand with the torn tendon won't affect his ability to release shots.
Welcome to the playoffs, folks. Over the course of his career, Nowitzki has certainly fought through pain from injuries. First, he nursed a number of ankle sprains, and then he amazingly made a speedy return after having Carl Landry's chipped teeth removed from his elbow. Earlier in the season, he also recovered from a sprained right knee and returned sooner than expected. In his career, all with the Mavs, none of his injuries debilitated his athleticism or strength to push left on the court.
When it comes to Nowitzki, he is more efficient driving left than moving the ball right, and his shooting percentage is solid on the left side. If he desires to heal the wounds of postseason flaws and treasure the celebration of winning a title, then he needs to direct the Mavs in the biggest happenstance of his lifetime. Pressured to win it all or either worsen the criticism, it's a notion that it would be a miserable travesty in Dirk's elusive NBA career if he is devoid of a championship after having his best season.
As in the case with all players, particularly the stars of the sport, winning cures everything for Nowitzki, too.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
NBA Talk: How the Okafor-Chandler Trade Benefits Both NBA Franchises
With the recent trade of Emeka Okafor going to the New Orleans Hornets to play with Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler going to the Charlotte Bobcats to play with Gerald Wallace, I think it was a pretty good trade for both of these NBA franchises.
But there is always a winner of some trade, and I believe the Hornets are the ones who got the best deal. Not only did they get an NBA player with a great career ahead in his path, Okafor will also save the Hornets $1.1M in salary, and another $1.1M in luxury tax, says John Hollinger of ESPN.com. So that means, however, that the Hornets save more money while the Bobcats waste more.
But both of these teams have good quality power forwards/centers, don't you agree? Although this trade isn't creating a lot of buzz, it makes a difference for both teams. I am going to break down of how plans change with both teams in this trade. You all know what this is, it is the world-famous NBA Talk!
So you guys know the trade, right? Yeah, I thought so, or else I guess you haven't been reading the news lately. Oh well, now that I guess you know, let's start with Emeka Okafor with Nawlins. With Okafor there, the depth chart will most probably look like this:
PG: Chris Paul
SG: James Posey/Morris Peterson/Devin Brown
SF: Peja Stojakovic/Rasual Butler
PF: David West
C: Emeka Okafor
I think that is pretty reasonable. Comment below if you disagree.
We all know how Chris Paul does. CP3 is unstoppable and everyone knows it. James Posey, who played a key role with the Boston Celtics in the 2007-08 season, will be playing this year after his surgery a couple of months ago on his cartilage tear. Morris Peterson, a good veteran player who'll be playing a role, and Devin Brown who will receive more playing time this year.
Then there is Peja Stojakovic, who is a superior three-point shooter. Then there is Rasual Butler, who had many career-highs last year in the 2008-09 season. David West has been very impressive in his last five years of playing, averaging no lower than 15.4 points per game and seven rebounds.
And here is Emeka. Okafor is a better player than Chandler, and it's great that the Hornets somehow picked them up as they traded a more bottom-out player. Okafor is a great post-scorer and he is a guy you can count on for making the shots, as he is very successful in banking them. Okafor is also improving more and more each season, as Hollinger says he averages five points more per game, every 40 minutes. Dang, that's gratifying.
On the NBA Trade Machine game on ESPN.com, I tried out the Chandler-Okafor trade. It's actually very beneficial for New Orleans as they have a predicted five more wins. Don't believe me, try out for yourself. Nah, I know you won't, so why don't you click here and see for yourself?
I think the Hornets are going to be real happy with this acquisition.
Now let's move to Charlotte. With the Tyson Chandler trade, I think the Bobcats depth chart will most probably have a lineup like this:
PG: Raymond Felton/D.J. Augustin
SG: Raja Bell/Gerald Henderson
SF: Gerald Wallace/Vladimir Randmanovic
PF: Boris Diaw/Nazr Mohammed
C: Tyson Chandler/DeSagana Diop
With a good one-two punch of Raymond Felton and D.J. Augustin, I think the point guard spot is all covered. It is the same with the shooting guard spot. Actually, there are one-two punches in each category. Raja Bell, he is a good shooter from behind-the-arc, as far as I have observed. Watch out for Gerald Henderson, he'll be a surprise rookie coming into the 2009-10 season.
Gerald Wallace, he's the face of the franchise. Vladimir Randmanovic continues to arouse me, and I like how he works. Boris Diaw just had his best year last year, and coming into this year, he looks to blow fans in Charlotte away. Although Nazr Mohammed is a center, I think it'd be smart to move him to power forward, which would make that spot at power forward more tough.
DeSagana Diop is mostly known as a good backup center. And I know some of you may comment that he is a bust. Yes, I know, but let's make the most of him because he is good at being a backup center. At least he is no Kwame Brown or Darko. And also, you have to respect Diop's blocking ability, and a song that was a diss to Kris Kross.
And now to Tyson Chandler. It is actually very questionable why the Bobcats would receive to get him. They were the 27th worst offensive team, according to Hollinger, and Chandler is now even good at offense as he isn't a dominate scorer, not even in the post despite his big size. The only thing Chandler is good at his getting dunks in on the pick-and-rolls, which won't fit well with the 'Cats. And according to NBA Trade Machine, the Bobcats are predicted to lose six more games with this addition. Hhm, not so smart now, Charlotte, aren' you? But now that Michael Jordan is going to be the owner, things might switch around a little.
But Chandler will play a big role for Charlotte with the boards, and that's what Charlotte needs because they already have some pretty good scorers on the squad already.
Conclusion: Why the Hornets win this trade
Well, first of all, the Hornets are predicted to win five more games this season while Charlotte is predicted to lose six more games, as ESPN NBA Trade Machine analyzed with the data. Emeka Okafor is also a much better offensive scorer than Chandler as he has more ways to score like on banks shots, dunks, and pick-and-rolls. Chandler is one of the worst scorers offensively as his only scoring option is dunking off pick-and-rolls, like I said a few paragraphs ago.
The only thing the Bobcats could be better in is that their rebounding team will improve much more as Chandler averages about ten-to-twelve rebounds per game. The Hornets are going to be a very strong team this year, the Bobcats are going to be questionable despite their scorers. It's going to be an interesting year, with so many tasks going on this off-season, I can't imagine what the 2010 off-season will be like with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Yao Ming, and other big stars entering free agency.
So many transactions have been made, more are here to come.
But there is always a winner of some trade, and I believe the Hornets are the ones who got the best deal. Not only did they get an NBA player with a great career ahead in his path, Okafor will also save the Hornets $1.1M in salary, and another $1.1M in luxury tax, says John Hollinger of ESPN.com. So that means, however, that the Hornets save more money while the Bobcats waste more.
But both of these teams have good quality power forwards/centers, don't you agree? Although this trade isn't creating a lot of buzz, it makes a difference for both teams. I am going to break down of how plans change with both teams in this trade. You all know what this is, it is the world-famous NBA Talk!
So you guys know the trade, right? Yeah, I thought so, or else I guess you haven't been reading the news lately. Oh well, now that I guess you know, let's start with Emeka Okafor with Nawlins. With Okafor there, the depth chart will most probably look like this:
PG: Chris Paul
SG: James Posey/Morris Peterson/Devin Brown
SF: Peja Stojakovic/Rasual Butler
PF: David West
C: Emeka Okafor
I think that is pretty reasonable. Comment below if you disagree.
We all know how Chris Paul does. CP3 is unstoppable and everyone knows it. James Posey, who played a key role with the Boston Celtics in the 2007-08 season, will be playing this year after his surgery a couple of months ago on his cartilage tear. Morris Peterson, a good veteran player who'll be playing a role, and Devin Brown who will receive more playing time this year.
Then there is Peja Stojakovic, who is a superior three-point shooter. Then there is Rasual Butler, who had many career-highs last year in the 2008-09 season. David West has been very impressive in his last five years of playing, averaging no lower than 15.4 points per game and seven rebounds.
And here is Emeka. Okafor is a better player than Chandler, and it's great that the Hornets somehow picked them up as they traded a more bottom-out player. Okafor is a great post-scorer and he is a guy you can count on for making the shots, as he is very successful in banking them. Okafor is also improving more and more each season, as Hollinger says he averages five points more per game, every 40 minutes. Dang, that's gratifying.
On the NBA Trade Machine game on ESPN.com, I tried out the Chandler-Okafor trade. It's actually very beneficial for New Orleans as they have a predicted five more wins. Don't believe me, try out for yourself. Nah, I know you won't, so why don't you click here and see for yourself?
I think the Hornets are going to be real happy with this acquisition.
Now let's move to Charlotte. With the Tyson Chandler trade, I think the Bobcats depth chart will most probably have a lineup like this:
PG: Raymond Felton/D.J. Augustin
SG: Raja Bell/Gerald Henderson
SF: Gerald Wallace/Vladimir Randmanovic
PF: Boris Diaw/Nazr Mohammed
C: Tyson Chandler/DeSagana Diop
With a good one-two punch of Raymond Felton and D.J. Augustin, I think the point guard spot is all covered. It is the same with the shooting guard spot. Actually, there are one-two punches in each category. Raja Bell, he is a good shooter from behind-the-arc, as far as I have observed. Watch out for Gerald Henderson, he'll be a surprise rookie coming into the 2009-10 season.
Gerald Wallace, he's the face of the franchise. Vladimir Randmanovic continues to arouse me, and I like how he works. Boris Diaw just had his best year last year, and coming into this year, he looks to blow fans in Charlotte away. Although Nazr Mohammed is a center, I think it'd be smart to move him to power forward, which would make that spot at power forward more tough.
DeSagana Diop is mostly known as a good backup center. And I know some of you may comment that he is a bust. Yes, I know, but let's make the most of him because he is good at being a backup center. At least he is no Kwame Brown or Darko. And also, you have to respect Diop's blocking ability, and a song that was a diss to Kris Kross.
And now to Tyson Chandler. It is actually very questionable why the Bobcats would receive to get him. They were the 27th worst offensive team, according to Hollinger, and Chandler is now even good at offense as he isn't a dominate scorer, not even in the post despite his big size. The only thing Chandler is good at his getting dunks in on the pick-and-rolls, which won't fit well with the 'Cats. And according to NBA Trade Machine, the Bobcats are predicted to lose six more games with this addition. Hhm, not so smart now, Charlotte, aren' you? But now that Michael Jordan is going to be the owner, things might switch around a little.
But Chandler will play a big role for Charlotte with the boards, and that's what Charlotte needs because they already have some pretty good scorers on the squad already.
Conclusion: Why the Hornets win this trade
Well, first of all, the Hornets are predicted to win five more games this season while Charlotte is predicted to lose six more games, as ESPN NBA Trade Machine analyzed with the data. Emeka Okafor is also a much better offensive scorer than Chandler as he has more ways to score like on banks shots, dunks, and pick-and-rolls. Chandler is one of the worst scorers offensively as his only scoring option is dunking off pick-and-rolls, like I said a few paragraphs ago.
The only thing the Bobcats could be better in is that their rebounding team will improve much more as Chandler averages about ten-to-twelve rebounds per game. The Hornets are going to be a very strong team this year, the Bobcats are going to be questionable despite their scorers. It's going to be an interesting year, with so many tasks going on this off-season, I can't imagine what the 2010 off-season will be like with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Yao Ming, and other big stars entering free agency.
So many transactions have been made, more are here to come.
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