Bulldog

You're exactly right. No Phil - no triangle. GP couldnt get to grips with it, but whoever the new coach is, is more than likely to let Payton and Bryant run a little more freely, which although may not be as effective as the triangle will see Payton with much better numbers next year. Him re-signing is big for the Lakers. there was a possiblilty that not one of the 4 hall of famers would return, so keeping some continuity will be very good for them, even if Shaq or Kobe is traded. It looks more likely that it will be Shaq out the door for a big man as their backcourt will be set now for next year. I think Malone might well come back now too.

The Clippers traded the #2 to Charlotte for the #4 and #33. Charlotte will then take whoever is left after Orlando from Okafor and Howard, resigning the Hawks to think of other options unless they can pull off a stunning trade with the Magic which seems very unlikely. It looks like the hawks will stick with the #6 and take one of Iguodala, Gordon or Biedrins.

I see what all of you guys are saying, but what is the only objective of all teams in the NBA - to win the title. If a team can gut their franchise to take a guy that may win them the championship even if it is once or 2 years in a row before retirement - should they do it? Yes. One championship is worth it.

http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~28541~2222325,00.html This summer promises a blockbuster trade of the likes we have not seen for quite some time as Shaq has handed in a trade request which the Lakers will supposedly honour. That also means that you can bet your house on Kobe resigning with a coach of his choice back at the Staples Center. But who will be around him. One team desperate for a big man is Dallas. But would it would need Nowitski plus one of Finley or Walker to get it done. As he is such a Mavs favourite would Dallas pull the trigger? Who else would take on Shaq's contract? In the past Dallas, Portland and perhaps Sacramento are the teams who have shied away least from big contracts. Would Sac town trade Webber and Christie for Shaq and a shot at the title. Shaq, Peja, Miller and Bibby would be a formidable quartet for the Kings. Only time will tell but one team will be taking a big risk for a shot at it all, but just maybe the GM who takes Shaq will be smoking a victory cigar soon sayiong it was all worth it...

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2637378 The Houston Chronicle is still claiming that the Rockets are the front runners for McGrady sending Francis and others back to Orlando, although I have to say that the Pacers deal looks better for the Magic.

It looks like Jackson is gone next year in LA - so who should they take on? Candidates might include Donnie Nelson, Avery Johnson, Del Harris, or maybe George Karl. There doesnt seem to be a clear candidate with the star profile, so who would you think should get the job? I think Donnie Nelson would be a very interesting choice as he has new ideas and could give a fresh outlook to the team.

The Hawks have a ton of cap room. It's also clear that it may be very difficult to lure a top name free agent like Kobe or K-Mart to the Hawks due to their poor record and lack of talent on the team. But with the money they have they may be able to take the Denver route of picking up good role players and Im sure the Hawks will make an offer for up and coming big man Mehmet Okur. The Pistons will offer Rasheed big money after their title win to keep the main pieces together and that leaves the big Turk available for other teams. I think he would be a nice pick up for Atlanta, especially if Howard is taken in the draft as a big talented front court will go a long way to turning the fortunes of the team around. As a side issue it will be interesting to see how many minutes Milicic gets next year. Joe D cannot be faulted for any draft day decision as the Pistons won the title with Tayshaun Prince providing great D on Kobe. If they had taken Carmelo there is no telling how that would have worked for the chemistry of the team. All the Pistons say Darko is going to be special, so they have to play him some time. I see him getting 10 minutes per game next year to try and get him into the rotation. Anyone agree?

I'm really surprised that you say that. I mean he led his team to the NBA Finals without too much around him... Also Minnesota have realised now that they overpaid for Wally and the Kandiman who didnt add too much this year. Isnt the risk of getting AI worth it for what he might bring to the table? There is no doubting his talent and a starting 5 of Cassell, Iverson, Garnett, Sprewell and Johnson is pretty formidable. Maybe the challenge of playing with those guys with a real chance at a ring might motivate him to practice more anyway. I have to say if I were McHale I would pull the trigger - you have to take some chances to get to the top.

On Fox Sports pages there is a suggestion of an Iverson for Wally Szczerbiak and Michael Olowokandi. What??!! Wally had 10 points 3 rebounds a game last year and Kandi had 6.5ppg and 5.8 rpg. All that for a former league MVP...? The Sixers would be mad. The only way they trade AI that I see is for another star like Vince Carter, McGrady or to build around an up and coming big man like Zach Randolph with others thrown in to make the deal sweet. I dont really see AI traded anyway as he sells out their arena every night and is still the heart of the team. Does anyone else see AI moving this summer? Here is the Fox link: http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2470218

I would be surprised if McGrady stays in Orlando. There are too many teams who will try and get him that have better prospects. I see him in Phoenix myself.

interesting theories and i have to say they make sense. i think of the guys you mention, Kwame could do with the change of scene the most. I think if he was traded to say Seattle he would not feel the pressure he does in Washington and start to blossom. I would still take Okafor #1 though in this draft over Howard.

I see exactly what you are saying but those guys had their playing time limited by their coaches - especially O'Neal who rode the bench for moat of his time in Portland. Curry has been given a chance game after game to show what he is worth and has not come up with any consistent reason to suggest he will be all-star calibre. At some stage you have to say that this guy is not going to be the next Shaq and move on - but you could be right - maybe the 4th year is the the year to show everyone - but its a gamble for a team trading for him.

I have read in recent days about various trade scenarios that would send the likes of Ray Allen, Pau Gasol and Michael Finley to Chicago for Eddie Curry. Does anyone else think these trades would be absolute madness. Curry does still have untapped potential, but the guy has now had 3 years experience in the league and is yet to show the competitive fire that would turn him into a true star that the guys rumored to be going to Chicago are. Anyone agree?

Jaric and #2 for Terry and #6? Terry is not happy in Atlanta and Jaric has proved to be a flexible player even if he is not a top tier player yet. Perhaps Atlanta may be able to find a better deal for Terry but if they want Howard at #2 then they dont have a lot of options.

Orlando take Ekefor - no brainer there. Chicago will obviously be after Luol Deng unless they trade the pick (most likely to Dallas). Do the Clips take Howard? They know that they would get more production from Deng, but with Maggette and Q-Rich he is not as needed. I see the Clips trading down for a point guard like Gordon - anyone agree 2004 NBA Draft Order 1. Orlando 2. L.A. Clippers 3. Chicago 4. Charlotte Bobcats (expansion) 5. Washington 6. Atlanta 7. Phoenix 8. Toronto 9. Philadelphia 10. Cleveland 11. Golden State 12. Seattle 13. Portland 14. Utah 15. Boston 16. Utah (from New York through Phoenix) 17. Atlanta (from Milwaukee through Denver and Detroit) 18. New Orleans 19. Miami 20. Denver 21. Utah (from Houston) 22. New Jersey 23. Portland (from Memphis) 24. Boston (from Dallas) 25. Boston (from Detroit) 26. Sacramento 27. L.A. Lakers 28. San Antonio 29. Indiana

The guy is a serious project. Noone has entered the league with his size from high school. Let's face it - even with his talent there is an argument as to how productive he would be at the college level let alone the league. You cant blame the kid for taking the Adidas money and a team will pick him up even if it in the second round. It is more than likely however that a team will take him in the first round to capitalise on some of that marketability that got him the sneaker deal, but who? All of the lottery teams will go for a safer (or taller) bet. So that means #14 and up. One bet is Atlanta at #17 as they are a team in such dire need of an identity that any excitment that could be brought in would be welcomed. But you could say that they need talent that can produce straight away. Utah have 2 picks and so could gamble on one of them at either #14 or #16. My bet might be the (almost) home town New Jersey Nets at #22. They have new owners and they might be moving to Brooklyn. Telfair would add excitement for their fans and bring in new ones if they moved over the river where he would sell a lot of shirts. Also he could learn behind Jason Kidd who will soon be getting to the tail end of his career, so that in say 3 years he is ready to contribute meaningfully. Anyone agree?