Posted by HoopsAvenue on October 19, 2008 under Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks | 
As our regular visitors have noticed, we have been linking up to the best NBA team previews from around the web lately and today’s installment is the Central Division. So, take a moment to check out these previews written by the NBA’s best bloggers on the Bulls, Cavs, Pistons, Pacers, and Bucks. And, in case you missed it, we have also covered the Southwest Division and Atlantic Division. HoopsAvenue will be chiming in later this month with our Washington Wizards preview.
Chicago Bulls
Nels: Give Me The Rock
Matt: Blog-a-Bull
Cleveland Cavaliers
Rock: Waiting For Next Year
FTS: Fear The Sword
David Friedman: 20 Second Timeout
Amar Panchmatia: Cavalier Attitude
Detroit Pistons
Brian Spencer: Empty the Bench
Natalie Sitto: Need4Sheed.com
Matt Watson: Detroit Bad Boys
Indiana Pacers
Tom: Indy Cornrows
Milwaukee Bucks
Jeramey Jannene: The Bratwurst
Frank Madden: BrewHoop
So, check out the previews and let us know what you think! Will this be the Year of the King? Even if it’s not to be for Lebron this year, it could be the year for your fantasy team. Click here to sign up for fantasy basketball. If you win our league or another league, maybe you should convince the, ahem, losers to pick you up a fantasy trophy from the guys at FantasyTrophies.com. Here’s what their trophy looks like:
Looks pretty sweet! Works for football too!
Posted by HoopsAvenue on June 26, 2008 under Indiana Pacers, NBA Draft, Toronto Raptors |
According to ESPN,
Sources told ESPN The Magazine’s Ric Bucher that the Pacers and the Raptors have agreed to a deal that, pending review of medical information, would send Jermaine O’Neal to Toronto in exchange for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and the No. 17 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft.
More players will be involved ultimately to match salaries and the trade can’t actually go down until July 9th because of Ford’s contract situation, but let’s break it down. O’Neal only played half a season last year due to injuries and he wasn’t as productive as he has been in the past. He only averaged 13.6 points and 6.8 rebounds. The Raptors are obviously hoping he bounces back and puts up about 18 and 8 which he had been capable of. So, it’s a risky move for Toronto, but it’s no safe bet for Indiana either as Ford is also injury prone. Ford, though, when healthy, is a solid point which is what Indiana was looking for in the draft anyways. Now, Indiana has the opportunity to draft another position in tonight’s draft while crossing their fingers that Ford stays healthy next season.
Basically, here’s how it breaks down for Toronto:
- Pros: If Jermaine O’Neal returns to something resembling his all-star form, the Raptors immediately have one of the best frontcourts in the league with JO and Chris Bosh. Jose Calderon has shown he can be a solid PG too so the Raps could do some damage in the East.
- Cons: If JO doesn’t work out, Toronto is left with his big ol’ contract for the next two seasons and a team that won’t contend.
For Indiana, it’s a little bit less risky
- Pros: They pick up the 11th and 17th picks in the draft, a decent center in Nesterovic and a good PG in Ford if he remains healthy.
- Cons: Well, if Ford gets hurt again and O’Neal is a star again the Pacers will regret it.
All in all, the trade seems to favor Indiana as they’re acquiring some draft picks to possibly turn their franchise into a contender in a few years. It’s a safer, long term plan. Toronto, on the other hand, is putting a lot of chips down on O’Neal who is unlikely to be enough to advance far in the playoffs even if he has a great season.
Who do you think got the better of this deal?
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