2009 NBA Off-Season Thread (logo, drafted, uniforms, star)

[Scott Summers]

LOL, Cleveland's not getting out of the second round next year.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by CTownNative

Great move in my opinion. Shaq last year proved he still has some gas left in the tank,

I disagree. The Cavs were killed because they could not defend the pick and roll. Shaq couldn't defend the pick and roll if my grandmother and myself were running it.

[Toxic Toast]

Pacers draft Hansborough ................ buzzkill.

[Mathguy]

Guys, he's going to essentially play the role of a 6th man of sorts. Not exactly sure whom you are going to pick up in free agency better to play in that role?

[jazzy jeff 11]

he aint going to make the team that better. But he can surely help them, sadly though he lacks speed that James and the Cavs have.

[JackTheRipper]

Rubio may return back to Spain to play...according to his daddy .

[TarheelStateNative]

Originally Posted by jazzy jeff 11

he aint going to make the team that better. But he can surely help them, sadly though he lacks speed that James and the Cavs have.

You mean the speed they showed against the magic right.

[TarheelStateNative]

Originally Posted by JackTheRipper

Orlando sends to the Nets:

Rafer Alston (bad trade )
Courtney Lee
Tony Battie

Orlando gets:

Vince Carter
Ryan Anderson

Hey it worked out for Orlando.

[CaliDude1]

Originally Posted by Buckeye in SC

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, but after winning 66 games last season, if (and it's a huge IF) Shaq stays healthy all season, the Cavs could make a run at the Bulls 72-10 season from the mid-90s. Obviously, no one will care though if they lose in the playoffs again.

Buckeye you are indeed out on a limb. There are a lot of question marks with the Cavs. The real question is who is their starting PF. You really can't make many projections without taking that into account. I am sure they will either resign Anderson V. or bring in someone new. Still there is no garuntee the Shaq thing will work out has planned. He is still prone to injury. Last season was the first since 2000 where he did not miss a significant number of games. Most of that was attributed to the Suns training staff. What are the chances of him duplicating that while getting a year older? Will it take time for the rest of the players to get use to Shaq in the middle. Sure there are benefits. But there are drawbacks as well.

Also, I wonder of the cloud of doubt regarding LeBron's 2010 offseason decision will become a distraction. If the Cavs don't come out of the gate next season the speculation about him leaving will get real loud real fast. In reality the Cavs are playing with a lot of pressure. The HAVE to impress LeBron. No matter what they do during next season the speculation of him leaving will be THE media story all next season.

Lastly, with a vet like Shaq on the team I wonder if Mike Brown is really the guy to coach this team. Shaq's championship teams were headed by Phil Jackson and Pat Riley. Brown is obviously not of that caliber. Shaq was very dismissive of Van Gundy in Miami. It is one of the reasons Riley took over. We all know Browns limitations. How will Shaq respond to a coach like Brown? Of course in the beginning everything will be all good. But what happens if things start to go a little sideways? What happens if the specualtion about LeBron begins to overshadow what the Cavs are doing on the court?

My point in all this is I don't see Cleveland in a slam dunk situation. It is a very tenous situation. Probably the only thing that would keep things cool is if they did challenge for the 72-10 record. That will be hard with a rejuvenated Magic team and a healthy Boston team. The Wizards also look to be rising out of their funk. We'll have to wait and see.

[JackTheRipper]

Originally Posted by TarheelStateNative

Hey it worked out for Orlando.

i would've traded j.j reddick not alston.