Summertime

On Saturday morning, Shaquille O'Neal and his agent met with Pat Riley, General Manager of the Miami Heat, to hash out a trade which would bring the Diesel from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Heat for Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and either Caron Butler or a future #1 draft pick.  O'Neal has the right to turn down any trade but hit it off with Riley in the meeting and a trade is on the horizon.  What does this do to the Eastern and the Western Conferences?  Let's break this down a little bit.

 Shaq can just worry about basketball in Miami...

First of all, the Eastern Conference will turn into a four horse race.  With O'Neal in Miami this will bring to at least 4 (Detroit, Miami, Indiana and New Jersey) the teams which have a chance to make the Finals next Spring.  I firmly believe that although the Heat are giving up most of their team, except Dwayne Wade, they may well be the team to beat in the East.  Who can match up with Shaq in the East?  Detroit would have a great shot after just winning the title by beating Shaq, Kobe and the Lakers.

For some reason, I have a feeling the Pistons will not keep everybody who took them to the top this year.  Mehmet Okur is sure to be gone and a few others might follow.  Elsewhere in the East, Kenyon Martin has received a huge deal from the Atlanta Hawks which could keep the Nets from going anywhere in the future.  The Pacers?  Still no point guard.  They aren't going anywhere.

In the West, I'm not sure this is going to shake up everything as much as I first thought it would.  I thought some team in the West would throw out a huge deal for Shaq and change the West dramatically.  Obviously this hasn't and doesn't look like it will happen.  I was waiting for the Kings to pony up some massive deal but this is the way to go for them.  Let Shaq go to the East and let the Lakers do as they will. 

Will the Lakers maintain their dominance in the West without Shaq?  They will have NO shot.  I repeat NO shot of making the Finals next year without the monster in the middle.  Yeah, Brian Grant can stick with Tim Duncan.  Please.  I understand Shaq wants out but this is the best deal the Lakers can get?  They can't get any deal without a power in the middle...not that there are a lot of solid centers in the NBA to begin with. 

 Kobe wants to be MJ and do it on his own...good luck.

I like the San Antonio Spurs to come back strong this next year with all of their pieces back and the addition of Brent Barry from the Sonics.  With Shaq out of the West no team will be able to keep up with twin towers of big Tim and Radoslav Nesterovic.  As much as I love Chris Webber, I have finally come to the conclusion he does not have what it takes to take the Kings over the hump.  I understand he was hurt most of the year and in the playoffs he played on one leg, but I've seen enough mentally and physically from him to know that whether he is 100% or not won't matter. 

So what do I see happening next year in the NBA?  The Spurs roll through the West (as long as they stay healthy) and the Pistons come through the East depending on who they are able to keep this summer.  As much as I dislike the NBA at the moment that matchup (Spurs vs Pistons) would be very appetizing.  Nesterovic/Duncan vs Sheed/Wallace, Parker/Billups, Bowen/Prince, etc.

 Sheed's staying put in Motown.

Does Darko actually get playing time for the Pistons next year?  Can KG do even more for the Timberwolves and who can help him?  Who or what can help the Kings?  Will the Nets keep K-mart?  How much can Carlos Boozer actually help the Jazz if that deal goes through?  Who else is going to walk away from the Lakers?  Boy would I love to see Kobe in a Clippers uniform this winter next to Elton Brand, Shaq in Miami, Karl Malone retired and just Gary Payton left in LA.  If you think GP pouted enough this last year think about what he would be like if the Lakers went .500.  I would personally pay good money to see that. 

My Top 8 NBA Teams in 2004-2005

1. San Antonio Spurs -- spelled out above.

2. Detroit Pistons -- again, spelled out above...Must....Keep...Sheed....

3. Minnesota Timberwolves -- Is KG going to have to do everything?  Didn't he do that this past year?

4. Sacramento Kings -- Good from far...far from good.  I just want to see the overtime Fab Five Michigan game vs Duke with Hurley and Laettner again.  Come on...you remember.  The first game all five freshman started for the Wolverines and they took Duke to the limit.  *sigh*  College basketball is still the best.

5. Miami Heat -- Obviously this is with the trade going through for Shaq. 

6. Indiana Pacers -- Love Jermaine O'Neal but the guard play will always hold them back.

7. New Jersey Nets -- I have a strong feeling K-mart is going to take the money and run.  If this happens, expect the Nets to fall.

8. Dallas Mavericks -- How about some D in Big D?  You think Dirk is working on shuffling his feet, bending his knees and guarding somebody this summer?  I don't think so either.  Keep working on those 25 foot jumpers Dirk...that will get the Mav's to the Finals...

 No pics of Dirk playing D.