Poe

Just a suggestion, but it might not be a bad idea to add subforums to each team forum to have a small touch of organization. - Like one subforum for team news, where each thread is strictly for quoted articles, and team captains will be in charge of keeping it updated every other day, or every week, or whatever Real Deal deems necessary. - One subforum for general team discussion. - And one subforum for player tracking where members can post the progress of their favorite player or players. Like how Shaliq has one in the Clippers section with Maggette, and Air Rondo started one for Rajon in the Celtics forum. Just an idea, it could be a nice add-on to expand player tracking into a whole subforum. Again, just a thought. Only two or three subforums, no need to overload team forums with too many subforums considering this board doesn't have as extreme of an amount of members as a site like realgm, but it could be nice to have a little bit of extra organization.

I think LeBron has come pretty close to surpassing Kobe, if he hasn't already. I know Kobe is a lot better fundamentally, and has a lot more in his overall package of skills and all around play, but age is beginning to catch up to him a little bit. Plus, LeBron is just that much more physically dominant than Kobe by now, and when adding athletics and skill together when evaluating each player, LeBron is just starting to become a bit better.

I'm glad the Heat didn't trade Dorell and Quentin for the exact same reasons. Those two and Wade have a great relationship as teammates. Trading either of those two could be a small emotional step to make Wade think about leaving this summer. Williams could leave the Jazz for similar reasons as well. If Boozer leaves this summer without the Jazz getting anything of equal or greater value in return, Williams might demand a trade.

Damn, I could use a room like that, lol. Nice blog, bro

I think the Heat may have a possibility to snag one against the Grizzlies. With no Wade, there are no guarantees of anything, and it's probably safer to expect the worse than the best. At the same time, the Grizzlies are a young team, so they could let their guard down. Against any team without Wade, the defense will still be there. It'll be up to Beasley to step up in Wade's place, O'Neal as that second guy, and at least one perimeter player to take the role as a playmaker. No chance do the Heat beat Dallas, though. I believe the Mavericks are an elite team, plus it's the second game of a back to back, and on the road. The Heat already do bad enough on those type of games WITH Wade. If the Heat win... well, it'll be a major fluke.

...yet they gave up Landry and a healthy McGrady. Since T-Mac/Landry and Martin/Hill pretty much cancel each other out in terms of individual player value, the Rockets are left with two first rounders as the overall extra benefit. All the Cavs really gave up was their 30th pick in the first round for Antawn Jamison. Complete rape.

If the Most Valuable Puppet adds are racist, then so are the Mac vs PC adds.

If you are a Heat fan, which of the current top four Eastern teams would you rather face in the playoffs? I know I'm thinking a little bit ahead here, but since the deadline is over, we pretty much know what the shape of the team is. We also know that the chances of the Heat making it any higher than 5th seed is very, very slim. Plus knowing the nature of the Heat and their "Jekyll and Hyde" approach to each game, they could wind up in any spot between the 5th and 8th seed in the conference. With that said, the Heat basically have a 1/4 chance of facing one of these teams. So who's your pick?

In Riley we trust!

From what I know, Wade could be out from anywhere between one or two games, to two weeks or more. He pretty much wants to test his leg out for the next couple days, see if it heals up at all, then if not, get an MRI and get his calf further evaluated. Whatever happens, though, I'm just about positive that Wade will be out tomorrow against the Grizzlies, and most likely the next day against Dallas as well. These are two very tough opponents, with or without Wade. Turning a negative into a positive, this is a great opportunities for the rest of the guys to step up, get more comfortable with the ball in their hands, especially late in games, and basically prove themselves. This is especially directed at Beasley, who will be the Heat's main guy for at least these two games.

I wasn't actually suggesting for him to come off the bench, putting the word "doubt" in there, but yea.. keep him, feed him, and just hope he can put his [expletive] together for the remainder of the season. Management can figure out what they can make out of him this offseason.

It was the best move. The Heat have plenty of options this summer to fill the gaps in the line up, and then some.

K. I was just thinking, since both Z-Bo and Gay are averaging 20 points each, and Marc Gasol averages nearly 15 points per game (on 58% shooting). It may be easier to spread the shot distribution if one of those 15+ ppg scorers comes off the bench, and replaced by a defensive-minded player in Ronnie. It would probably be beneficial to both the starting line up and the bench unit, plus Mayo's game could benefit from it as well.

Basing on what could happen, the Knicks could even be the winners. What if their "2010 or fail" risk turns out to be a great move after all? Considering all possibilities, they may wind up bringing two all-stars to the Knicks and turn a non-playoff team into contenders in just one summer, with a huge part of it being an effect of the T-Mac trade. But as you said, right now, Cleveland easily wins.

That's it. The Cavs are going to the NBA Finals this year, no question whatsoever.

Great answer. +1 So from what I'm understanding about Hedo, if there are any intangibles that he brings, the negatives clearly outweigh any positives, seen or unseen. So what should be done about him? Keep attempting to successfully incorporate him into the offense? I doubt bringing him off the bench will do any good. I guess the best option would be to try and make the most of him this season, see if he can possibly bring his averages up to where they need to be, and then deal him this summer if unsuccessful. Hopefully there will at least be one team willing to take on his contract.

Would it be a bad idea to use Mayo as a sixth man?

The reason I put Cavs on top is because they gave up practically nothing (since Z is coming back) for an all star caliber PF, which could be the deciding factor for what may become a championship season. Houston had to give up a former superstar and their best player off the bench.

The upside to Houston's trade is huge. Not only do they get a much needed scorer off the bench, but they also get good young big man that they can develop, plus two potential lottery picks. Dallas got a good defensive center and a solid shooting guard with size that may be able to compliment this team well, though he seems to be in a bit of a slump. Dallas made a very good trade, but I think Houston's two lottery picks make theirs slightly better.

#1 Cleveland #2 Houston #3 Dallas #4 Sacramento #? New York

Q-Rich and Haslem for Boozer is a great deal. I wouldn't mind Arroyo in it as well.

Oh wow, nevermind. I thought the deal had been made where McGrady and Landry were exchanged for Martin. I didn't know the Knicks were involved. I gotta keep up with all these trades! Haha. Oh well. Heat won't get T-Mac... yet, at least. That's fine to me. The team seems to be doing well as of late without any additions anyway. There's plenty of time in the 2010 summer to make the big moves.

T-Mac would be a great pick up. Riley should at least make a short-term deal with McGrady and try and see how well he fits with the Heat. I still believe he is a prolific scorer and playmaker, and he would take so much pressure off of Wade. It would be interesting to see if they can even work off of each other and make plays to get each other open. The only other tweaks I can think of is to upgrade the point guard position and get a better back up at the center position. Thing is, the Heat have three point guards and three centers in their roster, and the point guard position has already had too much tweaking this seaon. The best hope before this summer at the point is if Chalmers can regain his old self back.

I understand that. I suppose all the small adjustments added up to give Toronto a winning record instead of a losing one. Still, is there anything Hedo could be doing beyond stats to add to those small things? Does he make momentum plays, does he help keep the defense honest with his perimeter game, does he space the floor with his shooting, does he bring continuity to the offense, does he take and make the big shot or the big defensive stop, and does he step up when everyone else is in a slump to keep the Raptors in the game? Also, does he bring a leadership role to the team that helps pick up everyone's play, or in other words, make everyone else better beyond the assist stat? I know his own stats are down, and that obviously needs to be changed considering his money and role on the team. Whatever the solution is, Toronto needs to find it. But aside from that, beyond having two new starting guards and a few new bench players, is there anything Hedo could be doing that has helped the Raptors change from being a nonplayoff team, to a team that can potentially challenge Boston and Atlanta?

If Amare is going anywhere.. it certainly won't be for another few months.