Sekou Smith's review of changes in the Eastern Con

[koncak]

INSIDE THE NBA

Looking at a new-look East

By SEKOU SMITH

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 08/05/07

The folks at Extreme Team Makeover NBA Edition have been extremely busy this summer, particularly in the Eastern Conference.

More than half of the East's 15 teams have either added or lost key players. One team (Boston) has undergone the most extreme of makeovers, adding Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett since draft night, in an attempt to wake up the echoes in Beantown.

So where does that leave the hometown Hawks, who have added only draft picks Al Horford and Acie Law IV, in their pursuit for what will be one of those highly contested eight playoff spots in the suddenly wide-open "junior varsity" East?

"I don't think you can call us the JV, not at all," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said when asked what he thought of the seismic roster changes of this summer. "Anytime guys like Shaq, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Gilbert Arenas, Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups and Ray Allen call a conference home, all that weak sister stuff needs to stop.

"The Eastern Conference is going to be a bear this year. It's going to be tough on every team, on every coach and on every roster to compete at a high level and be ready to get dirty every night if they want one of those playoff spots. So sure, we'll have our work cut out for us. But we're not backing down from any challenges. We're going to be ready."

A quick look at the 10 teams that shook things up the most and the least this offseason:

• Boston: The Celtics had to give up a load of talented youngsters (Al Jefferson, Gerald Green and Jeff Green) in addition to two draft picks to assemble an instant contender with Garnett, Allen and Paul Pierce. But anyone complaining about a team that junks its rebuilding project for an All-Star trio like this needs to remember that there is no tomorrow when you're chasing a title. Sure, this is a huge, huge gamble by Danny Ainge and Co. But if it works the reward could be a trip to the conference finals.

• New York: An argument can be made that the Knicks, and not the Celtics, brought in the best power forward from the Western Conference this summer. Zach Randolph is that good, his off-court baggage notwithstanding. Randolph and Eddy Curry form potentially the league's best low-post tandem. There's still a question as to whether Randolph or any other All-Star caliber player can co-exist alongside Stephon Marbury — that's a resounding NO thus far.

• Orlando: So you think the Magic overpaid for Rashard Lewis? Of course they did, at $110 million. But at least the Magic got a guy that can actually play. Coupled with All-Star star center Dwight Howard (a Southwest Atlanta Christian graduate), who last month signed a monster contract extension himself, and a new coach (Stan Van Gundy), another first-round playoff exit simply won't be acceptable. Grant Hill did bolt for Phoenix, though, leaving a leadership void in the locker room.

• Charlotte: Trading for Jason Richardson isn't necessarily adding the championship piece for a team like the Bobcats. For a team in desperate need of an elite wing scorer (sorry, Adam Morrison), adding an explosive talent like Richardson was a no-brainer on draft night, when the Bobcats drafted Brandan Wright and then sent him to Golden State. And keeping Gerald Wallace in the fold is better than fishing for a risky, high-dollar free agent on the open market.

• Indiana: Roster moves didn't land the Pacers on this list. It was the firing of coach Rick Carlisle (probably a year too late) and the hiring of Jim O'Brien (who'll face the same obstacles — mismatched pieces, unhappy star, etc. — as his predecessor) that could change the fate of this 2006 playoff spectator. This team still goes only as far as Jermaine O'Neal can carry it, which isn't very far without a bona fide No. 2 option.

• Cleveland: Salary cap concerns didn't allow the Cavaliers to play around this summer. But when you're coming off a trip to the NBA Finals, why tinker just for the sake of tinkering? If they can't reproduce their playoff run this year, now that the conference appears crowded at the top, King James might wish they'd made that oft-rumored move for Mike Bibby.

• Detroit: Keeping Chauncey Billups in a Pistons uniform was the team's main offseason priority. Mission accomplished. Joe Dumars also mined two sure contributors (Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo) out of the June draft. Amir Johnson's supposedly ready for prime time, and Jason Maxiell has already shown as much. They're getting older but still the class of the East.

• Miami: If Shaq and Alonzo Mourning have another run left (and that's a major if), you can bet a healthy Dwyane Wade would love the help as he tries to make up for his injury-plagued season from a year ago. Still, the Heat needs an infusion of energy from somewhere, and Smush Parker just doesn't seem like the answer.

• Atlanta: After hitting a home run on draft night with Horford and Law, the Hawks stayed out of the free agent fray. They have valuable assets (youngsters with low salaries and veterans with expiring contracts) but remained silent observers. They might not be done tweaking the roster just yet. But if they are, is this really a playoff team?

• New Jersey: The Nets paid Vince Carter a king's ransom to stick around and resisted the urge to move either Kidd or Richard Jefferson. Now if Nenad Krstic returns from knee surgery, the Nets expect to be in the thick of the playoff chase. As was obvious during the 2007 playoffs, though, the Nets are still missing something (perhaps Kenyon Martin, circa 2004?).

[KB21]

Boston made some moves that will push them into the playoff picture, but I think the people that have anointed them championship contenders are forgetting about one major thing, probably the most important aspect of baseball:

DEFENSE!

Between Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett, Garnett is the only player that brings it on both ends of the floor. He will certainly help them, but in the long run, I do not think the Celtics have enough defense to be a championship contender no matter how many big names they have on the team. Knowing that Garnett is a great defender, I really don't see how this team is going to be much better than the Ray Allen, Glen Robinson, and Sam Cassell combo that was in Milwaukee.

The same thing goes for the New York Knicks. I respect Sekou's writing, but he's off his rocker if he thinks Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry form the best front court in the east. They may be the worst defensive front court in the east. Randolph doesn't guard anyone, and Eddy Curry doesn't guard or rebound.

[atlien110]

Quote:

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Boston made some moves that will push them into the playoff picture, but I think the people that have anointed them championship contenders are forgetting about one major thing, probably the most important aspect of baseball:

DEFENSE!

Between Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett, Garnett is the only player that brings it on both ends of the floor. He will certainly help them, but in the long run, I do not think the Celtics have enough defense to be a championship contender no matter how many big names they have on the team. Knowing that Garnett is a great defender, I really don't see how this team is going to be much better than the Ray Allen, Glen Robinson, and Sam Cassell combo that was in Milwaukee.

The same thing goes for the New York Knicks. I respect Sekou's writing, but he's off his rocker if he thinks Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry form the best front court in the east. They may be the worst defensive front court in the east. Randolph doesn't guard anyone, and Eddy Curry doesn't guard or rebound.

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that brings it on both ends? just because neither pierce or allen are all nba defensive first team doesn't mean they dont' play good d. both "bring it" on the defensive end and play decent defense. i've never seen anyone point out that an area of concern for both allen and pierce is their lack of defense. besides you have a defensive specialist in pg rondo and shot blocking center in perkins.

you don't see how this trio will be better than the one in milwaukee? cuckoo for cocoa puffs!!! first of all, big dogg was the biggest dog on defense and a ball hog on offense. replace him with paul pierce and you already have a much more potent combo. then replace cassell a shoot first pg, with a unbelievable big like kg who is criticized for being too unselfish. pierce is the only one of the 3 that needs the ball in his hands to be effective. allen can catch and shoot as well as slash. kg can pass out of the post as well as step out and shoot. this is a trio that not only looks good on paper but you would have to assume will work out on the court because their styles mesh so nicely. this team is the favorite to win the east hands down and anybody that wants to put a friendly wager on it. i'm down.

[KB21]

Ray Allen was roundly criticized in Seattle this past season for his lack of defense, and George Karl used to have to stay on top of him about his defense. Seattle had probably the worst perimeter defense in the NBA with Luke Ridnour, Ray Allen, and Rashard Lewis all poor defenders.

[atlien110]

nope. rondo is still in boston.

[KB21]

I initially thought he was included in the trade, but I edited the post.

[chillzatl]

I agree. I don't feel they are anywhere near being a championship contender and I don't think that Danny Ainge should suddenly be considered any better of a GM than he ever has been. IMO, He changed his focus from building a championship team to building a marketing juggernaut that will make the playoffs but fall short of a title.

Personally I don't consider Garnette a great defender. He's good, but he's not a shut down guy, he's not going to shut down Shaq or Duncan or any other big big man. He plays good D though, just not great. Pierce and Allen don't play much D at all though and I also question where the leadership is going to come from on that team. I don't mean the RAH RAH leadership, but the who's going to be the man leader. I just don't think any of those three guys is that kind of player.

[KB21]

When the dust settles, Detroit will still be the top team in the Eastern Conference because they are the best defensive team and the most efficient team offensively.

[atlien110]

Quote:

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I agree. I don't feel they are anywhere near being a championship contender and I don't think that Danny Ainge should suddenly be considered any better of a GM than he ever has been. IMO, He changed his focus from building a championship team to building a marketing juggernaut that will make the playoffs but fall short of a title.

Personally I don't consider Garnette a great defender. He's good, but he's not a shut down guy, he's not going to shut down Shaq or Duncan or any other big big man. He plays good D though, just not great. Pierce and Allen don't play much D at all though and I also question where the leadership is going to come from on that team. I don't mean the RAH RAH leadership, but the who's going to be the man leader. I just don't think any of those three guys is that kind of player. [/quote

so i'm supposed to believe kg's not a shut down buy because he can't shut down shaq or duncan? tell me please who in the nba can... kg is such a special player because of his versatility. he plays above average one on one d and plays great team defense. he boards, can pass, can dribble he does such a variety of things well he can only help a team.

as for pierce and allen's d. they aren't like a bruce bowen or raja bell. also they don't expound as much energy as kobe on defense either. but other than kobe, let me know of another player that is an offensive juggernaut, on the caliber of allen and pierce that also play exceptional defense. joe johnson is a good defender and plays hard on defense that doesn't mean he's a great defender, you see him getting burned on a nightly basis. those guys put enough effort on d as to not dog it but to save enough energy to as effective as they are on the other end.

kb you like detroit? i think they'll win quite a few in the regular season. falling only behind chicago and boston. but they won't get past the semi's in the playoffs. their run is done.

[KB21]

Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago will all finish ahead of Boston this season because all three teams will be much better defensively, and all three will do better than Boston in the playoffs.

[DavidSomerset]

Getting older is a good thing for us...Bad thing for a team like them...I doubt they make it past the 2nd round of the playoffs next year.

[beav]

Quote:

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DEFENSE!

Between Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett, Garnett is the only player that brings it on both ends of the floor. He will certainly help them, but in the long run, I do not think the Celtics have enough defense to be a championship contender no matter how many big names they have on the team. Knowing that Garnett is a great defender, I really don't see how this team is going to be much better than the Ray Allen, Glen Robinson, and Sam Cassell combo that was in Milwaukee.

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Wow. I cannot believe that you'd compare that MIL trio to BOS trio, but on the basis of defense as an argument to boot? Pierce is an adequate defender and how much more energy will he be able to put into the defensive side of the ball now that he is not expected to be the nearly sole offensive player? Glen Robinson was an absolutely horrible defender and sam cassell certainly has never won any awards in that area either.

And ray allen has never been known as being a great defender, but he was better under nate mcmillan (a team defense minded coach) as opposed to the horrible weiss hill led teams that SEA has had since they stupidly let Mr. Sonic go.

[Diesel]

Every player on your team doesn't have to be a defensive standout.

Let's look at it:

Rondo, Allen, Pierce, KG, and probably Perkins.

3 of the 5 will bring really good defense.

The other 2 are good enough vets to know what to do.

Even when you go down through history... those so called good defensive teams were not so good one on one defensively...

Da Bulls.. for instance.

Everybody talks about how great a defender MJ was? Huh? Did you really watch. There are several times that MJ got broken up trying to play one on one defense. I call to example anytime he was trying to guard Iverson or Mookie. I remember that Year Jordan tried to become a PG under COllins and every PG in the league took turns taking MJ behind the woodshed. Especially when he went out west. Sure MJ racked up a few tripled doubles, but guys like Stockton and Payton had career days. What helped Jordan especially in the later years was the fact that he played alongside Pippen and Rodman. Pippen was a defensive beast. Long Arms, good footwork, fast hands...BK would be drooling over the prospects of getting the next Scottie Pippen. Most of the time, Jordan would play defense from a players backside. He was Chicago's Rover. That didn't make him any better defensively, it just made him look better because he was an automatic double teamer...

If Doc Rivers is worth his salt, he will develop a defensive scheme that will hide his teams weakness. Especially with Rondo playing PG.

[Packfill]

Quote:

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Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago will all finish ahead of Boston this season because all three teams will be much better defensively, and all three will do better than Boston in the playoffs.

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If you put coaching aside, how is Cleveland better defensively than Boston now? Look at the interior defenders on the two teams: KG and Perkins vs. Gooden and Ilglauskas. Big Z was in decline last year, Gooden has never been that good and they lost Varejeo (at least I think they did). LeBron is excellent and Highes is good when healthy, but beyond that . . .

Boston has a chance. I do agree that Detroit and Chicago have better defenses overall, but Detroit's defense isn't the same with Nazr in place of B. Wallace.

[KB21]

The results.

Cleveland was the 5th best defensive team in the NBA last season with what they had. Individually, those guys may not be great defenders, but collectively, they allowed the 5th least points per game of any team in the league.

[Packfill]

I am definitely not questioning their results from last season, just that Boston does have a few good defenders (Garnett and Rondo in particular) and a committment to play D by Pierce and Allen would probably be enough to get them to atleast mid-pack in terms of defense.

I think it is a shame that they had to give up Gomes as he would have been a great hustle guy to bring og the bench at the forward spots.

I actually expect Chicago to be the best regular season team in the east this coming season.

[BusBoyIsBack]

Let's face it Boston is a playoff team. Their D may prevent them from advancing to the Finals but they have way too much talent with those three players not to at least be a 5th seed.

I agree that a lot of teams improved in the Eastern Conference but no team in the East had a draft like the Hawks.

We got the best post player and point guard of the draft that went to the East.