Post by Akomplice on Jan 22, 2011 14:18:59 GMT -5
Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks didn't have any first round picks in this years draft, but the team has completely reshaped it's image. The old GM knew that the team was getting older by the year, but still thought it could contend. However when he stepped down and the new GM came in he decided to hit the reset button and put his stamp on the team. The Hawks have dumped most of their long term contracts now and are in constant talks to acquire Shaun Livingston. Look for this team to sell off their remaining assets for first round picks and completely rebuild the entire franchise.
Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets added the first overall pick Monta Ellis who looks like he can be a dynamic play maker and scorer right off the bat for the Hornets. However that's not all they have done in this offseason. Wasting no time the Hornets have added pieces quietly in Erick Dampier, Hedo Turkoglu and Mickael Pietrus. With a solid step from Chris Bosh and Monta Ellis in training camp this team looks like it can be one of the risers not only in the division but the entire Eastern League Conference. Other GM's need to realize that these are not the same old Hornets, but rather a team to be reckoned with.
Chicago Bulls: The Bulls drafted the Landlord in Shelden Williams, but we have to question if he will be just a role player in Chicago instead of the defensive stud he was at Duke. Aside from Williams the Bulls have been quiet thus far this offseason. They brought back leading scorer Ray Allen who is coming off a fabulous year in which he totaled 30 points a game. The question about this team revolves around Carmelo Anthony as he has not taken that next top in which would put him in the elite players in the league. Until then they are a middle of the road team and Melo looking at an extension. Time might be the best now to try and move him.
Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs added facilitator extraordinaire Rajon Rondo and Craig Smith in the draft. Both players should be able to make an immediate impact right off the bat. The Cavs are a young team that keeps adding youth to the team. With the drafting of Rondo it has sent point guards Andre Miller and Luke Ridnour to the trading block. This team is looking for the Arizona tandem Andre Iguoldala and Channing Frye to take that next step in this training camp, we will know a lot more about this team when that happens. Hey what about Pau Gasol? Maybe this will finally be his year in which he makes an impact.
Detroit Pistons: Who is this team? No Michael Finely, No Hedo Turkoglu? The Pistons have clearly entered bottom of the barrel status and will be looking at a rough next two years. We heard that the GM is in love with upcoming prospects and will stop at nothing to acquire two of them. In this draft they draft the super athletic Gerald Green who will provide exciting moments. I would imagine that Kleiza and Stepp will spend another year in the development league. Aside from all of this they still have Barbosa who is an excellent player.
Indiana Pacers: The Pacers last year started the youth movement when they moved Redd for Ben Gordon. Now Al Harrington finds himself on the block with the drafting of Andray Blatche. Blatche will take some time to develop, but the Pacers have all the time in the world to wait on him. They also drafted guard Mo Ager who is a play maker with the ball in his hands and can stroke it from beyond the three point line. The Pacers will continue to develop Robert Swift and Trevor Ariza as the Pacer team is suddenly loaded with young talent. With trade chips in Harrington, Swift and Kemp this team will look for a point guard to lead this young squad.
Milwaukee Bucks: Fresh off of adding the second overall pick in Andrea Bargnani the future of this franchise looks a whole lot more bright these days. Over the past couple of drafts the Bucks have added the young talents of Marvin Williams, Luol Deng, TJ Ford and sleeper Sergei Karaulov. You add that to a team that is led by Kevin Martin and this is a dangerous young team. Bargnani was considered by some to be the best prospect in the draft for his ability to shoot the ball at the four position. The Bucks now have a collection of shooters that can really spread the floor. The Bucks now have a collection of youth that can really make a mark on the division.
Toronto Raptors: The Raptors are coming off one hell of a season in which is a sign of things to come. The trio that they have in Wade-Kidd-Yao is one of the best trios in the league. Matt Harpring came on to surprise a lot of people and they still have a case of SAR. The Raptors added sizzurp drinking Shawne Williams in the draft who is talented as they come, but also has been known to be a headcase off the court. However he don't matter much to this team right now as all efforts are focused on bringing back Pac Man the dynamic back up point guard who might see a big payday from another team. However they do own his bird rights which will be pivotal. Look for the Raptors to be another top team in the league this year.
Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets added the first overall pick Monta Ellis who looks like he can be a dynamic play maker and scorer right off the bat for the Hornets. However that's not all they have done in this offseason. Wasting no time the Hornets have added pieces quietly in Erick Dampier, Hedo Turkoglu and Mickael Pietrus. With a solid step from Chris Bosh and Monta Ellis in training camp this team looks like it can be one of the risers not only in the division but the entire Eastern League Conference. Other GM's need to realize that these are not the same old Hornets, but rather a team to be reckoned with.
Chicago Bulls: The Bulls drafted the Landlord in Shelden Williams, but we have to question if he will be just a role player in Chicago instead of the defensive stud he was at Duke. Aside from Williams the Bulls have been quiet thus far this offseason. They brought back leading scorer Ray Allen who is coming off a fabulous year in which he totaled 30 points a game. The question about this team revolves around Carmelo Anthony as he has not taken that next top in which would put him in the elite players in the league. Until then they are a middle of the road team and Melo looking at an extension. Time might be the best now to try and move him.
Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs added facilitator extraordinaire Rajon Rondo and Craig Smith in the draft. Both players should be able to make an immediate impact right off the bat. The Cavs are a young team that keeps adding youth to the team. With the drafting of Rondo it has sent point guards Andre Miller and Luke Ridnour to the trading block. This team is looking for the Arizona tandem Andre Iguoldala and Channing Frye to take that next step in this training camp, we will know a lot more about this team when that happens. Hey what about Pau Gasol? Maybe this will finally be his year in which he makes an impact.
Detroit Pistons: Who is this team? No Michael Finely, No Hedo Turkoglu? The Pistons have clearly entered bottom of the barrel status and will be looking at a rough next two years. We heard that the GM is in love with upcoming prospects and will stop at nothing to acquire two of them. In this draft they draft the super athletic Gerald Green who will provide exciting moments. I would imagine that Kleiza and Stepp will spend another year in the development league. Aside from all of this they still have Barbosa who is an excellent player.
Indiana Pacers: The Pacers last year started the youth movement when they moved Redd for Ben Gordon. Now Al Harrington finds himself on the block with the drafting of Andray Blatche. Blatche will take some time to develop, but the Pacers have all the time in the world to wait on him. They also drafted guard Mo Ager who is a play maker with the ball in his hands and can stroke it from beyond the three point line. The Pacers will continue to develop Robert Swift and Trevor Ariza as the Pacer team is suddenly loaded with young talent. With trade chips in Harrington, Swift and Kemp this team will look for a point guard to lead this young squad.
Milwaukee Bucks: Fresh off of adding the second overall pick in Andrea Bargnani the future of this franchise looks a whole lot more bright these days. Over the past couple of drafts the Bucks have added the young talents of Marvin Williams, Luol Deng, TJ Ford and sleeper Sergei Karaulov. You add that to a team that is led by Kevin Martin and this is a dangerous young team. Bargnani was considered by some to be the best prospect in the draft for his ability to shoot the ball at the four position. The Bucks now have a collection of shooters that can really spread the floor. The Bucks now have a collection of youth that can really make a mark on the division.
Toronto Raptors: The Raptors are coming off one hell of a season in which is a sign of things to come. The trio that they have in Wade-Kidd-Yao is one of the best trios in the league. Matt Harpring came on to surprise a lot of people and they still have a case of SAR. The Raptors added sizzurp drinking Shawne Williams in the draft who is talented as they come, but also has been known to be a headcase off the court. However he don't matter much to this team right now as all efforts are focused on bringing back Pac Man the dynamic back up point guard who might see a big payday from another team. However they do own his bird rights which will be pivotal. Look for the Raptors to be another top team in the league this year.
