A couple weeks ago, I broke down the needs of the playoff teams that were bounced in the first round. Now we’ll get into the issues of the squads that were steps away from the NBA’s version of the Final Four
Chicago Bulls — Everyone knows and beats to the death the fact that the Bulls need a post scorer. But more pressing is the need for a legit two-guard so Ben Gordon can reprise his role as Microwave 2000. Gordon is a helluva scorer, but he’s not someone you can count on for 40-plus minutes a night. I also think it’s a stretch to call on him to check a 6’5” or taller two. Talk of dealing Gordon is bogus. People in Chi-town have already dubbed him “Air Gordon.” You can’t deal a young guy who can fill it up.
The rumored deals for Kevin Garnett and Pau Gasol make sense for some reasons. But the cons heavily outweigh the pros. In three playoff appearances, Gasol is 0-12. Yes, the West is tough, but Memphis never finished higher than the eight spot in the playoffs. And who says he’s so awesome in the post. Have you seen him play? Yea, he has post moves, but he’s about as fleet of foot as Sean Casey. And I think his arms are longer than his legs. Take that as you will.
Garnett is intriguing. He’s been a top-5 player for the last half decade. He has an MVP on his mantle. He’s a fiery competitor. But before 2004, Garnett was 0-fer the playoffs. Since 2004, Big Ticket hasn’t seen the postseason. Of all the great players in the League, I honestly believe Garnett plays with the most passion. But he should not be missing the playoffs at this stage of his career. Do you realize the 2007-08 season will be Garnett’s 13th?
Yea, he’d be a massive upgrade over P.J. Brown, but I don’t see him being the guy who gets Chicago over the hump. Even with Ben Wallace and Luol Deng on the roster, Garnett would still be The Man. He hasn’t fared so well with that title when it comes to on-the-court. Missing the playoffs three straight seasons is evidence enough of that.
If I were Bulls GM John Paxson, I would build up my roster through free agency and the draft. Bobcats swingman Gerald Wallace is a free agent this summer. He’d fill the need for a legit shooting guard, paving the way for Gordon’s return to the sixth man role. The Bulls could parlay the lottery pick they received from the Knicks by way of the Eddy Curry deal into 7’2” Roy Hibbert. If Hibbert can start right away and give Scott Skiles 14 and 8, the Bulls should be favored in the East. Chicago’s 2007-08 rotation would then be: Hinrich, Gerald Wallace, Deng, Ben Wallace, Hibbert (starters); Gordon, Andres Nocioni, Tyrus Thomas, Chris Duhon and Thabo Sefolosha.
Yes, it’s a young group. But the core has been in the playoffs each of the last three seasons and should have the confidence going into next season that it can hang with anybody and (maybe) make it to the Finals.
Golden State Warriors — Golden State was a great story and seeing the look on Mark Cuban’s face when Dallas lost that series was classic. But anyone in the know knows the Warriors had no shot against any other team in the playoffs.
That helter skelter style makes for good TV, but it doesn’t get you any jewelry. Golden State is a team that has to build a big lead and hold it or blow a team out. When it comes to making decisions in tight situations, that’s where the Warriors struggle. Whether it be missing three free throws in the last 20 seconds o####ame, or passing up easy mid-range shots in another, Golden State doesn’t have the personnel to pull out close games.
Jason Richardson wants out. Monta Ellis doesn’t want to be a career back up. And Stephen Jackson is psycho. That playoff run was the epitome of one of those “lightning in a bottle moments.” Remember, the Warriors had to win 10 of their last 11 just to get into the eight spot.
Like Chicago, Golden State is too perimeter oriented. For that reason alone, if it’s true Phoenix is shopping Amare Stoudemire, Chris Mullin should do everything in his power to get him to the Bay Area. The Warriors’ style isn’t hat far removed from what the Suns run. Baron Davis is a capable point guard, and Amare would be their first option — exactly what he wants. Amare is slated to make $15 million per for the next few years. A deal of Stoudemire for Richardson, Sarunas Jasikevicius and an expiring deal would get it done.
If Golden State doesn’t find a guy who they can dump the ball to on a consistent basis, the second round is as far as they’ll get.
New Jersey Nets — The return of Nenad Krstic will help the Nets immensely. In the 26 games he appeared in this season, Krstic netted 16.4 points and pulled down 6.8 boards a night.
But Kristic’s return is the least of Jersey’s worries. Vince Carter is a free agent. And Jason Kidd isn’t getting any younger.
Kidd turned in one of the greatest playoff performances ever for two rounds, averaging a triple-double (14.6, 10.9, 10.9). And in one moment, Carter showed that after nine years in the League, he still isn’t ready for prime time as he let 68-year-old Eric Snow body him enough to where he couldn’t get a shot off in game 5 of the Nets/Cavs second round series. He also shot 6-23 in an elimination game.
If this team stays together, it has the pieces to make a run next spring. Jersey needs bench help. Bostjan Nachbar put in 9.9 in 23 minutes of work each night, but the rest of the Nets’ bench did nothing.
This year’s underwhelming free agent class consists of guys who would be solid contributors off the bench. Matt Barnes could give Jersey toughness and some energy off the bench, as could guys like Earl Boykins, Devean George and Andres Nocioni.
Phoenix Suns — If it wasn’t for that bogus suspension, the Suns would still be playing. But they’re not, so I have to address their needs now.
Phoenix doesn’t need much. Kurt Thomas playing solid against Tim Duncan showed that. But Steve Nash’s back isn’t getting any better. He’s approaching Larry Bird territory with that thing.
A couple of things could set the Suns up for years to come. If they play the Amare Stoudemire/Shawn Marion trade rumors right, they should get a starter and a first-round pick in either deal. Phoenix also has a potential top-five pick by way of the Joe Johnson trade. That pick could turn into Al Horford or Joakim Noah, making Stoudemire a little more expendable than Marion due to the positions they play. Marion’s defensive performance against San Antonio, where he guarded both Tony Parker and Tim Duncan for stretches, increases his worth, too.
Steve Nash needs an understudy. If Stoudemire is retained, Phoenix should say “f$ck it” and draft Mike Conley Jr. with that pick and hope Boris Diaw regains his motivation. If Marion is retained, Phoenix should draft Horford or Noah, hope Milwaukee’s Mo Williams, who averaged 17, 5 and 5 last year, doesn’t want a “huge” deal and roll with a core of Nash, Marion, Leandro Barbosa, Diaw, Raja Bell, Horford/Noah, Williams and whatever piece they get in the Amare deal.
Remember, Phoenix got to the Western Conference Finals last season minus Stoudemire. He’s no slouch, but trading Amare wouldn’t set Phoenix back as much as trading Marion would.
More team needs coming after the conference finals.
Sorry but I have to disagree with you on your assessment of the Warriors. The main problem with their execution down the stretch is that this team has still not played together for even a full season. With time and practice together they should be able to close out games much more effectively.
There biggest shortcoming in the playoffs was one Al Harrington-who has to be one of the softest big men in the NBA. He is starting to play like another Rasheed Wallace-wanting to just hover around the 3-point line. I believe Don Nelson traded for him to help the Warriors in the post, especially when they gave up Ike Diogu. So far, however, Harrington has proven himself to be a marshmallow and his vanishing act in the playoffs this year made the Dallas series as close as it was. The Warriors greatest need is for a rebounding post player-they have a very promising center in Biedrens.
I like what you said about the Bulls. I was just telling someone the other day that dealing Gordon was not the answer. He would prove much better off the bench. With Ben playing against the other team's second wave, he can score easily and not be taken advantage of that much on the other end.
On the topic of Gasol, he just wouldnt work out well with the Bulls. The Bulls success or failure starts and ends on the defensive end of the floor, and Pau Gasol doesnt ply a lick of D. He would only lag on rotations and would fall out of favor with Skiles.
The Bulls do need to add through free agency and the draft, and i do love the idea of adding Gerald Wallace, but Roy Hibbert wouldnt work out. The Bulls like to run alot and play off of turnovers and in transition. Hibbert would prove to slow to be effective in the Bulls gameplan. Zach Randolph is available, but he doesnt play much D either. I think Paxson will get Wallace this off-season, but it will be difficult to find a big that fits in with the Bulls' style of play.
Chitown, I know the Bulls like to run, but they also play solid haf court O. Randolph or Hibbert would be perfect in the East. Plus, if they wanted to run, they could do what they should have did more of in the Pistons series: go small with Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Nocioni and Ty Thomas.
Rev, I thought abou tat Noah to Phoenix idea, but if they deal Amare, they would need to get some type of post scoring in return. I know Noah's post D is solid, but I'd go with Horford over Noah.
Gemini, wouldn't making a play for Amare fill the needs you just listed?
Last edited by jaycarmel81 on May 22nd at 4:50 AM.
My name is Jason Carmel Davis, and I am a graduate of the Michigan State University School of Journalism. Yes, we do go to class in East Lansing, not just to bars and the liquor store.
I'm almost positive I had an SI with me in the womb, checking out Ralph Wiley. He's the main reason I ever decided to pursue a career in sportswriting .
I even remember the first highlight I ever saw on SportsCenter. I don't remember who was reading it, but it was Michael Jordan's 63-point game against the Celtics in the Garden in the 86 Playoffs. I've been hooked ever since.
