Post by kmatrixg on May 26, 2011 17:26:00 GMT -5
2010: The Year That Was
2010 marked the first full season which saw a record 9 teams run by their new GM's
What Happened??
The landscape of SSBLv4 was changed dramatically 2 seasons ago, when 9 teams were faced with adversity when their previous leaders were either fired, or left the team for other reasons. The Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, Charlotte Bobcats, Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers all saw old regimes take a new step into the future by hiring their current managers.
Of those 9 teams, 2 managers were let go for the dreaded contract year - the effervescent and adored afro, who managed the Grizzlies to 2 championships, and the not so popular heelsguy25 who never had a clue, were let go without any choice of their own.
Three managers were fired due to incompetence; Streetballa who led the Clippers into the ground before being taken over by the legendary Schmaranz; crazymike, who believed posting DC's was garbage while his Suns somehow won the conference in a cloudy 2008 season; and lastly, verysilentone, who was just that, leaving the Nets vacant.
The other 4 teams were left by their managers for other reasons. When the Miami Heat failed to impress their previous owner during the teams training camp, Shawncro simply said he had enough of this team, in this league, and left immediately thereafter. In Charlotte, reke proclaimed he had a period of enlightenment which included a trip to heaven to speak with god. He too, left almost immediately, before returning to a heavenly franchise
Toronto was abandoned by Joel during a binge in which he was seen by paparazzi scaling a brick wall to the 2nd story of a crack house, then, miraculously flying out of the same window with a black garbage bag before a giant explosion nearly engulfed him mid-air. (Had to make it interesting, right?) Finally, the Los Angeles Lakers were dumped by life long leader Schmaranz after he was offered the Leprachauns gold stash by the Clippers to take over the dismal joke of a team.
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What Next??
Miami Heat:
2010 Record: 26-56
Major Trades:
New Jersey Nets Receive:
Rasheed Wallace
Ekpe Udoh
Miami Heat 2012 1st rounder
Miami Heat Receive:
Andray Blatche
Devin Harris
Brandon Rush
ssbl4.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=trades&action=display&thread=4497
"Blatche is definitely worth a grizzled Rasheed Wallace, and an unproven Ekpe Udoh at this point. However, the risky part on my end is adding my 1st next year. Since we haven't proven anything will be different from the last two seasons that saw us go 69-95, that pick could end up being gold. But, I am willing to take that risk to try and win games now." - Luca
Los Angeles Clippers Receive:
SF Omri Casspi
SG Eric Gordon
PG Nate Robinson
Miami Heat Receive:
PG Rajon Rondo
ssbl4.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=trades&action=display&thread=4506
"In win now mode, so bringing in Rondo is big for this team, especially considering he gives us two '09 All-Defensive Team players. It hurts losing Casspi, Gordon, and yes -- even Nate Rob after he's been playing -- but after adding Blatche, I felt it was time to take that extra step." - Luca
These were hands down the two most important moves this year by Luca. First, they give up their 1st round draft pick next season, which is crucial. The team finished 8 games worse than last season, so they need to find the final piece with their draft selection in 2011 if they want to avoid regretting that Blatche deal. Regardless, these deals have set them up with a great foundation for the future, and even if that pick is solid next year, they'll have plenty of young talent to justify moving it.
New Jersey Nets:
2010 Record: 26-56
Major Trades:
New Jersey Nets Receive:
Rasheed Wallace
Ekpe Udoh
Miami Heat 2012 1st rounder
Miami Heat Receive:
Andray Blatche
Devin Harris
Brandon Rush
ssbl4.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=trades&action=display&thread=4497
"Didn't get a trade I wanted to really put me over the top so I want to take on a guy that I think can reach Blatche's level. Sheed is a nice trade chip and taking a chance on the 1st." - Nick
With this trade being the only huge roster shake up of 2010 Nick, a man of few words, clears up an additional 17 million in cap space for the offseason, while picking up what could be an excellent draft choice if things don't shape up in south beach. Epke Udoh looks to be on his way to defensive stardom, and with a perfect compliment in Speights, could have a dangerous 1-2 tandem in the post in a few years.
Part Two to come in a little while...
