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2008-2009 NBA teams that fell off or just became shockingly bad. By John Nguyen
12.20.2008 - Updated on 12.20.2008
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Any trade can’t come soon enough. 2010 should be here today. General Managers with bad teams are not waiting for Christmas to come. Instead, they’re looking to shake things up to get better ASAP. The thing is these teams should realize that the available pieces they have are not good enough for consolidation to fetch a better player.
Dallas Mavericks – Currently they’re 14-11 fighting for the 8th spot in the West against Phoenix. A common mindless fan would say, “Hey 14-11 is not bad. They’re 3 games above .500. What you smoking because I want some.” Well, like I said they’re fighting for the 8th spot. They used to be a perennial top 5 Western conference team from 2001-2008. Ever since the 2006 Finals, they gradually fell off and they’re continuing the trend. They had a nice run making the Finals once, but unfortunately after this season, it’s time to rebuild. The question is do you want to rebuild completely or still retool around Dirk Nowitzki one more time? I would prefer the former because Devin Harris sure sent Mark Cuban and the Mavs to hell after he shitted on them for 41 points, 13 assists, and 3 steals. When a promising young former player dominates a team like that, questions, critics, and complaints usually come up. Did anyone see Cuban’s reactions during the game? Former coach Avery Johnson was sure holding Devin back.
They fell off.
Phoenix Suns – To borrow a line from Clipper color commentator Ralph Lawler, “Oh me oh my!” Where do I start? Oh I know. Why not start at the head? Steve Kerr. They’re still playing the blame game for the Shaq-D’Antoni-Marion thing, right? Let’s move on to the next Steve, Steve Nash. Both Nash and Amare Stoudamire don’t sound very happy. Maybe that’s why rumors of Steve Nash leaving to Toronto for Jose Calderon hovers. Did Nash’s camp leak this or is this something that the media made up just because he’s Canadian? Suns are currently 15-11 battling Dallas for that last playoff spot. Just like Dallas, we have gotten so used to them running and gunning for 60+ wins. Joe Johnson was the first to leave. D’Antoni is gone. Boris Diaw is gone. Raja Bell is gone. Shawn Marion is gone. What does this say?
They’re quietly blowing it up.
They fell off.
Philadelphia Sixers – Elton Brand is not a huge difference maker and has now gotten injured. He will be out for a month. This will actually help the Sixers to win games. They better get in as much wins as they can before he gets back. They’ll start losing once he returns. This is sort of like Patrick Ewing being an anchor in the 1999 New York Knicks offense. We knew Ewing was at the end of his career. What about Brand? He’s in his prime, but he still slows down the offense. Before you criticize me to death, think about it this way. What if the Sixers did not sign Brand? Honestly, do Sixer fans think the team would be worse? The year before, you guys did fine without him. Brand was supposed to take the team to another level. Right now, they’re 12-14 holding on to the 8th seed. They’re on a win streak of 3 without him.
They became shockingly bad with Brand.
Washington Wizards – Calling Agent Zero. Where are you? Turn off that Xbox 360 please. Medic! Help! It’s too late. The Wizards are dead. There’s no need to call Agent Zero for help. They fired Sinbad, and currently, they’re sitting on a 4-20 record. They might as well blaze some joints up to forget about that. They made the playoffs last season without Arenas (43-39, 5th place). Jamison is playing too many minutes for a guy battling injuries, Deshawn Stevenson is somewhere, Mike James is terribly bad, and Caron Butler can’t do it himself. Just play the young guys now. I thought Butler and Jamison could man the ship to another playoff run like they did last year, but I was wrong.
They became shockingly bad while falling off tremendously.
(Update) Toronto Raptors - How can I forget? My apologies to this basura-filled team. I’ve been trashing them and they can’t be ignored. They have the talent yet they still can’t put it together. Losing to Oklahoma and now San Antonio...Raps fans should just go to the games with paper bags over their heads. Honestly, I wouldn’t know what to do with this cast. Their current record is 10-17 and will continue to free-fall. Jermaine O’Neal is still suffering from injuries. BC has a mess. Somebody email suggestions to Colangelo. At this point, just tank the season. Try to get a top 3 pick. Hire a reputable veteran coach even if he’s a retread.
They’re just shockingly bad.
To balance things out just a bit, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic have become shockingly great. We knew they would good, but not this good. They’re right behind the Boston Celtics; on par with the Lakers. It seems to me that power that was once held by the West has shifted over to the Eastern Conference AKA Leastern Conference. So far, 3 teams in the east are above 20 wins; only one team out West.
What do you think the 5 teams need to do?
[image:http://www.flickr.com/photos/abennett96/2426673640/] |
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Posted by
on 12.21.2008 | WESTERN TEAMS STILL GOT IT. Did you see the level of Compition? These 3 eastern teams are thrashing their opponents. Far with their records. But look at the number 9(which is Dallas for the meantime, 15-11) of West they can be as good as number 4 in the east. Though I was expecting Philly and Toronto go be Higher. Jermain and Elton got big Cash but not Games. P.s. And Detroit would go 7. or even miss the play-offs. . | Posted by
Dinye
on 12.21.2008 | Hey John, I kinda disagree with trading Anthony Parker. Hes the best two way guard that we have. I would love to see Moon, Kapono and maybe Bargnani traded for some talent. The only problem with that scenario is these guys have no demand or trade value. But a deal involving Chicago might help us out in the short term, but definetly not for long. Any deal with Larry Hughes is a waste, the guys not a team player and his contract is ridiculous just like O Neal. As for Truth, the only reason I would trade Bosh is because of a never ending pattern I see with the Raptors. Everytime Toronto drafts a quality player, we help them build up their career and then end up trading them because they become disgruntled or the player signs to another team via free agency (like T Mac). We never get equal value back (look and Stuodamire, Camby, CARTER). I honestly believe that Bosh has had enough losing seasons in Toronto and wouldnt want another one. There is a strong possibility that he will sign elsewhere come 2010, so why not trade him now when his value is at a all time high. This time we can actually get something back in return to build a future team. Its just one possible route that Colangelo can take. He knows Bosh better than all of us do, so Im sure that if Colangelo does think the same way I do, trading Bosh would be the best move for the Raptors future. If Truth has any real suggestions for how the Raps can get better, please indulge me. . | Posted by
ATL 4 Life
on 12.21.2008 | I realize Philly are losing at the moment Nguyen but the whole point is that they are still more likely to win a championship in the long run with him on their team. As then team was constructed last year they would not have won. Do you agree? So even though he is still recovering from an injury and adjusting to a new city and team, In the long run philly will be a better team for it. And I’m sure Bosh wants to stay at a team that would tank. . | Posted by
J. Nguyen
on 12.21.2008 |
ATL 4 Life, no one will let up on Philly and Elton Brand hate. No one. If you think I was bad, Philly fans are worse than me. They once booed Santa Claus and threw snowballs at him. The resources they put in to Brand, the hype of the signing, and the betrayal he did to the Clippers warrant the hate. I’ll keep hating. Nothing will stop this hate train. Get on or stay on the sidelines. I mean, c’mon, Philly is actually playing better without him.
Dinye, I’ve suggested that Toronto should tank. They should. This season is over. The only players I would trade is Anthony Parker and (maybe) Bargs. Trading Bosh is NOT out of the question though. ALL possibilities have to be explored. You guys are forgetting that if this keeps up into next season, he WILL bolt. Trading Jamario Moon is not out of the question either.
As much as I don’t like Calderon as a player, unfortunately, they can’t trade him because he’s their best point guard. He’s also a pure passing one. It’s too unfortunate that he doesn’t play defense or run an adequate fast break consistently. I would trade him for DJ Augustin in a heartbeat. No questions asked. I wouldn’t even blink.
The Raps have talked to Chicago about a possible trade involving Tyrus Thomas, Larry Hughes, Andres Nocioni, and Joakim Noah. As a Chicago fan, I can see them moving Larry Hughes, Andres Nocioni,and (maybe) Kirk Hinrich in a package for a number of possible combinations revolving around Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon and (maybe) Andrea Bargnani. If Toronto wants Chicago as a trade partner, they have to give up a big man. Bulls will not give up any big man because they have THE absolute worst frontcourt in the NBA, but they have a guard glut and a possible forward glut as well to make a deal happen.
Toronto losing to OKC was the last straw. They are in the same position as Chicago last year except they have Chris Bosh. They’ll have an easier time retooling, but they better do it quickly.
Truth, where did you get "backup" from? Are you assuming that I said that Calderon should be a backup? NOW THAT’S MORONIC. I haven’t said that. Stop putting words into people’s mouths. As for Calderon being first in assist to turnover ratio, so what? I mean really...so what? Who cares? It doesn’t mean a damn thing if they’re not winning games. Go ahead. Go tell that to Toronto fans as some kind of silver lining. Point blank, they don’t give a crap.
And please change your "Truth" handle to something else. It’s false advertisement. . | Posted by
ATL 4 Life
on 12.21.2008 | lol at Dinye. Are you serious? trade Bosh and Build round Bargs. Hahahaha. And Nguyen, you seriously have to get off your Brand and Raptor bashing. Philly will be better in the long term with Brand, it just takes time to adjust. Raptors are bad but what I think they need to do is try to acquire a defensive slasher like G. Wallace. If someone like Bargs can get you this, then do it. . | Posted by
k.durant
on 12.20.2008 | Maybe bosh will now look at kevin durant’s thunder as one team he could land on his free agency after beating his trashy raptors!!! go durant go okc give its scary this team will make the playoffs next year!!! . | Posted by
Dinye
on 12.20.2008 | I cant believe im sayin this but Chris Bosh needs to be traded. Hes the only player we can package with some garbage like Kapono or Moon. This is the only way we can get talent and draft picks now before he decides to sign elsewhere come 2010. By then O Neals contract will be up as well and Toronto can sign legitimate talent to surrond Bargnani and try to build up a new team. The way Toronto looks right now, the bulk of their money goes to O Neal and Bosh. No ones gonna offer much for O Neal and Bosh is already voicing his displeasure. Hopefully he doesnt pull a T Mac and Toronto wont get screwed again. What do you think John . | Posted by
Truth.
on 12.20.2008 | Backup? Erm, calderon is top 3 in the league in terms of assists and 1st in assist t o turnover ratio. I agree raptors are s---but that comment about calderon is blatantly moronic. . | Posted by
on 12.20.2008 | You missed the Raptors they can’t play shit. The can’t rebound. thier startin point gaurd should be a backup. Bryan colangelo is ruining his reputation.He traded for a guy who hasn’t even played in the last 2 years. They lost to the THUNDER how bad are the raptors. . |
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