Previously Bulls, Bobcats, OKc, and Knicks
The T-Wolves went from big time trading of Kevin Garnet to a rebuilding block. Al Jefferson has been solid and the trade for Kevin Love was at first some what puzzling. OJ Mayo would have been a quality player and would have turned some heads in Minnesota. He was the Most NBA ready next to Beasley and would be a leader on the floor; yet they end up with Love, rumored to be good but over weight and undersized for center. However, let's look at the positive side. He worked with RUssel Westbrook who was a gym rat and became slimmer and stronger entering the draft. He possesed a good inside and outside game which would compliment Jefferson. He was also used in UCLA as an average rebounder. In the worst case, Love would become a Eddy Curry but at the best he can turn into a Chris Kaman-type guy and possibily something of Jefferson's caliber. Wolves also strengthen their backcourt with Mike Miller from the trade while getting rid of Marko Jaric's and Antoine Walker's contracts, also Jaric's Brazilian Supermodel girlfriend and Walker's shimmy. While Gerald Green is gone, the team remains intact with the resigning of Ryan Gomes and Bassy Telfair. Telfair was effective as a point guard and could do better next year. He's very different from his cousin Stephon Marbury. He's not overpaid, just underachieving and sligthy too much expectations yet Kevin McHale knows that without a proven point in Randy Foye he'll need Telfair to run things. The back courts finishes with Miller and Rashard McCants who's been like Telfair but he's showing his true form soon. Corey Brewer needs to be more than the wing man that can be an above average guard. He needs to gain some muscles and some shooting if he wants to get consistent minutes. Rodney Carney "traded for Money " adds more scoring off the bench with returning Craig Smith. SMith reminds me of a Charles Oakley type of guy who can just bang around but get buckets. The starting five should be Foye, Miller/ Brewer, Gomes/ Carney, Love, and Jefferson. Wolves won't make the play offs much they should surprise some teams along the way. don't expect them to be the same bottom feeder team again.
The Heat is on Riley to make some moves. He's signed some strong and experieced Swing men but haven't gotten the point guard and center they need. Riley has strict work to come with a NBA contract. He has Dwayne Wade, Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley to build around. Not part of the plan but their only useful center is Mark Blount. Blount hits the occasional jumpshot and lay up but he needs to rebound and do more. Udonis Haslem could do better and Blount's contract could move some players around . CHris Quinn and Mario Chambers looks like the point guard for this season though I expect RIley to get a thrid string or veteran guard to come around. James Jones will be a good addition to the team. His shooting alone should make him the fourth scoring option behind Marion. The expected line up should be Quinn, Wade, Jones, Beasley and Marion. Or Blount, Marion, Beasley, Jones, wade. I don't know, let's wait longer
The Grizzlies should build around Mayo and COnley and Rudy Gay. The log jam in the backcourt could present as an opportunity for Ivarioni's fast tempo game. Conley, Lowry, mayo the Gay at the 4 spot? Criterron is perfect for trade material. A big guard who can score and defend, if he stays he'll play at 2 more and mayo will be three. The frontline has never looked thinner without Pau Gasol until they added Darrell Arthur. Arthur should fit well with Darko Milicic and Hakeem Warrick. Warrick was solid in the rotation and milicic was rebounding but troubled. Lucky they have the rights to Marc Gasol who was MVP of his Euro League. Gay should continue to fill the stats sheet fast and help turn things around. He's a proven NBA player and should spend time between the 3 and 4 regardless of who plays center. If M. Gasol becomes the player that his brother was, then they have a chance of completing in the west. Milicic time is limited but if he controls his temper, he should turn from that former draft bust label he's had since the Pistons traded him to a more legitimate center. Starting five; Conley, Mayo, Gay, Gasol/Arthur and Milicic. Strongest five, Conley, Critterion, Mayo, Gay and Gasol/ Arthur. Run baby Run all over Memphis. They should be fun to watch with Jaric's girlfriend on the sidelines and Walker shimming everytime he makes a shot like once the whole night when their down 20 but still running up the score.
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