The Off Season is On

Before anything, can I say that the Celtics trade offer to the Pistons that was decline was one of the biggest "no deal" offers I've ever seen. For those of you that didn't know what the low down was, it was Rip, Tayshaun, and Stuckey for Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen. Talk about excitement!

Anyways...

The off-season transactions have begun and teams have quickly begun to manufacture new jerseys to put on the racks of malls and stores all around their city. A Jamal Crawford jersey in a nice navy and red in the city of Atlanta, a Shaq jersey in the same colorway as LeBron's jersey, and Richard Jeffersons new black and silver uni. Looking forward to a few more big time trades to pull through by the end of this summer. Expect some names to be packing their bags such as Rip Hamilton, Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Allen Iverson, and many others.

Jefferson heads West
The aging Spurs didn't really make themselves younger by adding high flying Richard Jefferson but they definitely added some explosiveness to their offense as well as verstility. The team may have lost some depth with the departure of Oberto, Bowen, and Thomas but Jefferson definitely packs in more options for Coach Pop to strategize with. Expect the former Arizona Wildcat to start doing damage come November.

Diesel refuels the city of Cleveland
Think the Cavaliers and their fans were disappointed about this year's result? You better believe it. Upon LeBron's frustration and request, the Cavs have acted quickly and acquired a big fella that many are familiar with.

Shaq has helped

assist plenty of
young stars earn
their first ring and
this time around,
Shaq returns to the
East to join forces
with an old dance
partner of his.

Pros: Still has the ability to dominate the offensive paint. A possible triangle offense? A strong presence inside. If Big Z is staying, that will be a lot of size for any team to deal with.
Cons: Shaq's age is definitely kicking in and he just doesn't have enough to play 82 games in full effect. With him clogging up the paint, LeBron won't always have the open court to do whatever he desires. Shaq just isn't the same as he was before when he was the most dominant center in the league.

Shake n' Bake Hotlanta
Crawford joins the highlight factory as he brings along his high octane offense and fancy crossovers as a new plan is in store for the Hawks. What could this mean for Joe Johnson and his final year of his contract? Does this solidify the final goodbye for Mike Bibby? Will we still have enough money to sign a solid big man? Who will play point guard? All will be answered soon. As for right now, let us celebrate the fact that we will have a guard not named Joe Johnson that can score at will. A lot of people question Crawfords true position but I believe he has a little somethin' somethin' at the point. Go ahead and show them Jamal. I've never bought a Hawks jersey but I think I just might get one this fall.

For the #1 overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, the Clippers select... Blake Griffin
The Grizzlies select... Hasheem Thabeet
The Thunder select... James Harden
... at #19 the Atlanta Hawks select... "Enter best available point guards name here"

Knowing the Hawks drafting strategy from the past, we will probably make a bust by selecting a European 7 footer, or a wing man (European maybe?), or Tyler Hansbrough. No offense to these fellas, they deserve a place in the NBA but not in Atlanta. No way. If we don't go with a point guard in the first round, I may have to give up on the Hawks until God knows when.

With most of the top point guards more than likely out of the picture before the 19th pick (Rubio, Curry, Flynn, Jennings, Holiday, Lawson?) the outcome is uncertain. Whatever the decision is, as long as the Hawks' select either one of the point guards mentioned above, Eric Maynor, Patrick Mills, or Toney Douglas (I'm not feeling Jeff Teague too much but if we take him, I won't be upset) I will be more than content. For all I know, the selection might not turn out as anticipated but at #19, we're not taking much of a risk and all these young point guards have a great opportunity of having plenty of success in the NBA.

The Georgia native out of Norcross High school, Jodie Meeks
is a huge steal in the second round if he stays around
for that long. His ability to score is a huge threat that
could be developed into something very dangerous in
the NBA.

My personal favorites are Holiday, Lawson, and Maynor. Just don't want to see BJ Mullens, Psycho T, or some sleezy European guy with long blonde hair putting on an Atlanta Hawks cap. Jodie Meeks at #49! Let's do it right this time Hawks.


Eric Maynor did plenty
of destruction while
suiting up for the black
and yellow of Virginia
Commonwealth. Now it's
time for the "under the radar"
star to shine.




Boy, I love the NBA off season. Not as much as the season though... Given...

-Jason C