The NBA is far greater than the NHL in almost every way in my humble opinion. You only need to look at the laughable display of an all star skills competition last night in Atlanta for proof of that. The NBA does better all star weekends hands down. But the one thing that the NHL does better than any professional sport is trade deadline day. In Canada this event has grown to a massive level to the point of stupidity. I know I worked at TSN back years ago. This is a major event to every sports network in this country. The NHL year after year will deliver a day full of trades and speculation. The NBA on the other hand will have a lot of hype building up to it's trade deadline. But it seldom delivers the amount of activity that in generated in hockey. There are obvious reasons as to why that is. Smaller rosters,No Minor League teams to fill Rosters, Star driven league. You could list a few more but basically different games and different leagues.
One argument that use to be made that no longer applies was the salary cap. But hockey has a cap now and still they have many deals although far less spectacular ones. The NBA trades and moves seem more geared to happen in the off season rather than in season. In Fact Bryan Colangelo made the only deal on deadline day last year acquiring Juan Dixon for Fred Jones. Hardly a Block Buster. Compare that to Kevin Garnett trade to Boston or even Ray Allen Trade from Seattle to Boston. Both made in the off season.
But maybe just maybe this season will be different. With the Western Conference tighter than it ever has been with a new leader daily and an Eastern Conference with everyone out to beat Boston. The mood may be set for one of the greatest trade deadlines in the history of basketball. At the very least the most exciting one in years. The Toronto Raptors likely will be part of all the fun as well.
Vince Carter heading out of New Jersey? That could happen. Jason Kidd maybe too. T-Mac leaves the rockets. Ron Artest goes where? Mike Bibby the solution at point guard for who? Just a few of the names you are going to hear as the deadline approaches. To get you set to the lay of the land. Here is my top 5 list of buyers and sellers at the trade deadline. Teams that need too move players the most and teams that need to make a move the most. First The Sellers.
Top 5 Sellers:
1. Philadelphia 76ers: The Sixers have new management and are looking to continue to rebuild. They have guy like Andre Miller that some team will want as a point guard weather it be back up or starting. Biggest name but maybe not only name sixers could move.
2. Sacramento Kings: Mike Bibby, Ron Artest and anyone not named Kevin Martin could be on the way out in Sactown. No more trips and free stays at the Palms Hotel. The time to rebuild is here. Even 2 guys that own a Casino know when it's time to fold.
3. Minnesota T-Wolves: No K.G and you got a terrible record. Time to continue to retool while you still have a job. Ask Rob Babcock what happens when you make a bad trade. Your time is limited. So expect Kevin to be looking to give Minnesota a reason to think he has a plan.
4. Miami Heat: Oh how the mighty have fallen. A aging Shaq and his big contract and a lot of old vets does not a contender make. D Wade needs reason to believe he has not moved to a retirement community. Pat Riley better figure out a way to convince him and fast. The clock is ticking and it better be on more than just the first pick in next year's draft.
5. New York Knicks: I have long stopped trying to figure out the Knicks. But if they were smart they would be sellers. Let's see if they actually are? History tells us no. Besides beyond David Lee is there anyone that would want a Knick at this point? We will find out.
Others with players on EBAY To buy: New Jersey, Seattle, L.A Clippers, Chicago Bulls , Memphis Grizzles , Indiana Pacers.
Top Buyers:
1. Cleveland Cavs: Lebron needs a point guard you think you can manage that Cleveland? If not you can always enjoy the couple time Lebron will visit you as a Knick in a few years. No joking around Cleveland MUST improve. It begins and ends with a legit point guard.
2. Toronto Raptors: They need to improve. They right now might be good enough to win a round. Is that good enough for Bryan Colangelo. I say no. He will say it too. That is why he is as good as he is. Good is never good enough.
3. Boston Celtics: Why right? Depth. Especially at the point guard. Rajon Rondo could be playing as good as Jason Kidd the fact remains if he goes down the Men in Green are screwed. Almost as bad as if KG went out. Danny Angie has worked to hard to stop now. He will look to find the extra parts he needs that will hopefully lead to a trip to the Finals for his Celtics
4. L.A Lakers: We thought they would be the biggest sellers by selling Kobe but who knew the Lakers would be good? In fact so good that they re looking to buy. A big to help fill the huge void of the loss of Andrew Bynum would be nice. They are one of the many teams that could use a point guard too. Maybe New Jersey has what the Lakers are looking for. But the Lakers are shoppers.
5. Dallas Mavericks: Mark Cuban is a guy that is not afraid to take a risk. He may need to do that to get his Mavs out of the West to a finals. What is that risk and what will it cost. Not sure but you can bet Cuban will be pushing his people to make him happy.
Other Buyers: Suns, Hornets, Orlando, Spurs
So you see there are lots of people that want and lots of people that need. That sets up for a very interesting lead up to trade deadline. In the past we have been disappointed with the lack of action. It may happen again. But with so many teams locked into the clear situations of buyers and sellers it seems that we are almost a lock to have some movement. We wait and see.
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