Teams on the upswing

[beav]

Which teams are poised for a big turnaround?

by Randy Hill

Veteran columnist Randy Hill is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com.

Updated: July 3, 2008, 12:28 PM EST

The first ingredients in the Title No. 17 brew were two perennial all-star players captured in deals with Western Conference teams. Motivation was connected to job security for general manager Danny Ainge, who — after experiencing draft-lottery tragedy — gladly parted with a still-high, first-round pick and a lead asset named Al Jefferson.

With Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett in the holster, Celtics coach Doc Rivers then embraced his own career vulnerability by hiring Tom Thibodeau to construct a crusty defense.

After vigorous team-building exercises were visited, the Celtics went screaming toward 66 victories, a 42-game turnaround of triumph that represents the greatest year-to-year swing in league history.

So, who's next?

Well, it's time for the disclaimer. With the free-agent market open for about three days, several balance-of-power maneuvers remain possible. But it also should be noted that these catastrophic, year-to-year changes in victory totals are extremely rare.

Although referrals to changes in the "culture" of a franchise happen frequently enough to encourage us to puke, Garnett really did marshal a team-wide commitment to defense and general toughness that may be impossible to duplicate by any player available in a 2008 trade or free-agent bonanza.

With that on the table, let's take a look at teams that have created turnaround potential, listed in order of when their names popped into my skull:

Los Angeles Clippers (23-59)

Corey Maggette, a player generally regarded as selfish to a fault with the basketball in his mitts, recently handed out the greatest assist of his Clippers career.

Maggette opted out of the last year of his contract, providing a $7 million windfall that — teamed up with the bounty from teammate Elton Brand's opt-out number — enabled the Clips to reach a deal with Golden State escapee Baron Davis while closing in on a relative bargain agreement with Brand.

We'll see if the budding film producers can churn out a reasonable playoff script. The co-stars — Chris Kaman, Al Thornton and rookie Eric Gordon — seem capable, but the bench (which eventually will be led by Cuttino Mobley ... not one of my favorites) is a bit thin.

While Davis represents quite an upgrade in backcourt leadership, please don't mistake his potential impact with that demonstrated by KG. If Baron stays healthy and is reminded that shot selection at Golden State is different from the rest of the world, the Clips could rise to NBA team 1A ... in Los Angeles.

A bigger concern is the need for a championship-level commitment to defense, a huge factor demonstrated by the Cs in a copycat league.

Dunleavy has yet to inspire a Clippers team to embrace guarding the opposition.

By the way, that thin bench could be a bit fatter thanks to sign-and-trade suitors for Maggette.

Chicago Bulls (33-49)

If Vinny Del Negro can coach, the Bulls would figure to greatly improve on their victory total by simply showing up next season.

But Memphis freshman point guard and hometown product Derrick Rose was added with the first pick, a move that could provoke the Bulls into moving Ben Gordon and another asset or two for some inside scoring.

It has been posited that incumbent point guard Kirk Hinrich should be dealt, but a sign-and-trade of Gordon probably would bring more in return. Hinrich has the length to defend some off-guards, and his balky jump shot may be more accurate in catch-and-shoot rhythm playing off of Rose.

If nothing else, Chicago currently sits with enough depth to extend the defense and push the pace, making its lack of inside scoring less of a damning factor.

Thirty-three more wins than last season doesn't exactly seem likely, however.

Miami Heat (15-67)

We'll have to wait and see if superstar Dwyane Wade is healthy enough to launch misguided jumpers over international zone defenses for Team USA. If he returns fit for duty, Miami could be in position for quite an upgrade.

Rookie four-man Michael Beasley should become stat phat, while always-productive Shawn Marion is entering the final season on his current contract. Marion needs to make peace with being registered as the third option; Miami's big-ticket offer for next summer will go to Utah power forward Carlos Boozer, not Shawn.

You'll know the Heat's return to relevance is complete when Pat Riley announces his return to the bench. Then again, Pat may not mind another future-building tumble into the 2009 lottery.

Memphis Grizzlies (22-60)

The Grizzlies have added O.J. Mayo, Marc Gasol and Darrell Arthur to Rudy Gay and Mike Conley. They also have the rare distinction of possessing enough cap room to hire an impact player.

It has been suggested that — based on a weak free-agent class this summer — Memphis will wait at least a year before parting with its loot. The ability to woo a pricey new employee down the road would seem a bit more reliable if Jerry West had remained as team president.

Portland Trail Blazers (41-41)

Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge should get more help next season. (Sam Forencich / Getty Images)

Boy, these guys certainly seem to be on the verge of something big.

With Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster set to return, the Blazers now will also suit up Greg Oden, Jerryd Bayless and Rudy Fernandez.

While springing into the playoffs is likely, the talented Bayless would need to approach Steve Blake's level of point-guard generosity for Portland to reach its potential.

New York Knicks (23-59)

In the old days, this franchise would have considered pulling the trigger on a Boston-caliber blockbuster deal doomed to failure by the hideous contracts attached to current assets. These hideous contracts now are viewed as crucial to an eventual book-sweeping effort to attract LeBron James in two years.

New coach Mike D'Antoni also seems like a long shot to create a pesky defensive environment, especially with Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry on the floor.

Our concerns regarding a significant leap are magnified by reports that the Knicks might consider dealing David Lee — a rare, tough-minded New York employee — to Charlotte for point guard Raymond Felton.

While run-and-shoot happiness should lead to a victory increase, don't plan on attending a parade in New York.

Atlanta Hawks (37-45)

If the Hawks match what restricted free-agent forward Josh Smith commands on an offer sheet, Atlanta could be in business.

Point guard Mike Bibby should make a difference over the course of a full season, while Smith, Marvin Williams and sophomore Al Horford will boost the win total through simple, chronological improvement.

Joe Johnson, who's always been hard to guard, could lead a push for 50 wins.

Milwaukee Bucks (26-56)

The Bucks could be on the cusp of a nice boost in the standings. Former New Jersey Net Richard Jefferson and rookie Joe Alexander will make Milwaukee ridiculously athletic at forward, while Alexander's nasty streak won't hurt a bit.

Michael Redd, if still employed by the Bucks, provides first-year coach Scott Skiles with one of the league's top snipers, but point guard Mo Williams must learn to share more often for this team to thrive.

Anyway, the talent looks nice, but Milwaukee's rise depends on Skiles' ability to coax defense from these guys.

Minnesota Timberwolves (22-60)

OK, so Kevin Love allegedly is too short for consideration as a legitimate center, but the kid can rebound and has enough heft left over from his pre-draft fitness regime to score in the post.

New teammate Al Jefferson is a 20-10 machine (yeah, someone has to get numbers on a bad team) and shooter Mike Miller joins enough good, young prospects to make Minnesota a team to reckon with ... later, not now.

It seems that Kevin McHale still remains one Kevin short of making any kind of eye-popping turnaround next season.

Charlotte Bobcats (32-50)

Unless serious hypnosis is introduced, putting Larry Brown with selfish gunners Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace does not add up to a 60-win season. But it would be fun to have an all-access microphone at Bobcats' practices.

Being able to move Felton for frontcourt help certainly would be a leap in the right direction.

If LB can get Richardson and Wallace to defend regularly and pass the ball once in a while, Charlotte could contend ... for the playoffs.

Indiana Pacers (36-46)

Boston's big jump reinforced the notion that — with extremely rare exceptions — employing big-time players is required to win an NBA title. The Pacers have set the recent standard for getting rid of big-time players (although no Hall-of-Famers) in exchange for players with less baggage.

High-character players are easy to rally around, but that rally almost never includes the O'Brien Trophy.

Philadelphia 76ers (40-42)

The Sixers have enough cap room for a free-agent boost and enough talented young players to make a considerable improvement through little more than on-court maturity.

Point guard Andre Miller could be a marketable asset, but he wouldn't bring enough in return to generate greatness and his departure would create a playmaking hole.

Sacramento Kings (38-44)

The Kings have something of value to deal in Ron Artest, who now regrets not opting out of the final year on his deal. Let's see if the Kings truly believe Artest — who behaved reasonably well last season — will act like a prince now that he wants out of town.

Unfortunately, while Artest could be a key final trade piece for a contending team (L.A. Lakers, anyone?), the peripheral hayride he would generate will make it difficult to acquire a player of his ability in return.

Then again, Phil Jackson may decide he has enough coaching presence to prevent Artest from wrecking Laker chemistry.

New Jersey Nets (34-48)

Despite public declarations to the contrary, the Nets may be poised to be at the top of this list in a couple of years

[Jammin29]

50 wins im liking the sound of that