Post by ib4 on Nov 11, 2010 10:49:09 GMT -5
This offseason has been chalk-full of big trades already, as teams prepare for the upcoming 2003 SSBL season. Here are some of the bigger stories so far.
Grizzlies acquire Iverson, Mohammed, Harvey from 76ers for Marion, Boozer, Hamilton, future pick
AI arrives in Vancouver all smiles.
The Grizzlies were not content with just having the best PG in the league as well as the best Center in the league, so Afro went and traded youngsters Shawn Marion, Carlos Boozer, and Richard Hamilton as well as a future 1st round pick for one of the league's most dynamic scorers in Allen Iverson (who is arguably, the 2nd best PG or SG in the league). This makes sense for both teams, since Karl "Grandpa Mail Man" Malone finally decided to retire from the Sixers as well as the Grizzlies remaining competitive out West. The Grizzlies were upset by #6 Spurs last year in the playoffs, mostly attributed to the season-ending eye injury on the 2nd-to-last game of the regular season. "Whenever you add a player of Iverson's caliber, only good can come out of it," said Jason Kidd of Iverson Wednesday night. The trio of JKidd, Shaq, and AI is definitely a force to be reckoned with and officially dubs the Grizzlies as my early pick for the 2003 SSBL Championship.
Magic acquire Pierce, Mourning for Crawford, J.O'Neal, Ilgauskas, future picks from Sonics, Lakers.
Zo will flex his muscles in Disneyland this year.
The Magic were the surprise team of last season, being projected as a lottery team prior to the season. But they young Magic players downplayed the critics and proved to everybody that a young team does not necessarily automatically mean they are destined for a lottery pick. Wanting to stay competitive, the Magic traded their two young leaders, Jamal Crawford and Jermaine O'Neal, who were key in their surprise success, for veterans Alonzo Mourning and Paul Pierce, who are undoubtedly upgrades at their respective positions. "I'm excited," said Dan Dickau. "We had a great run last season and we want to improve on that. I'm fortunate to be part of something that I feel will be Magical...Yep, pun intended." Can the Magic piece it together with a (basically) new roster? Will 2nd-year PG Dan Dickau continue his impressive play after a stellar rookie campaign (17/8 last season)?
Sonics acquire Bryant, Harpring, Gugliotta, Okur for Gordon, Crawford, Turkoglu, Wallace, Bagaric, picks.
MVP Bryant, shown here after the Bucks' upset in the '02 Finals, will suit up in Sonic green this year.
The Lakers have been wheelin'-and-dealin' this offseason in their full-out rebuild, first trading away Zo and now the MVP Kobe Bryant. It is the first time in SSBL4 history that the MVP of the league from the prior season got traded in the subsequent offseason. The Lakers indeed received a bunch of young pieces and still have Grant Hill whom DaSchmaranz is shopping around. The Sonics gave up a lot to nab the best player in the league, but now he doesn't have much help...It will be interesting to see if guys like Dalambert, Bobby Simmons, and Speedy Claxton can step their game up to help Kobe out in Seattle. On paper, the Sonics, even with Kobe onboard, doesn't look like a great team, but you never know how things play out (or sim out) during the course of the regular season here at SSBL (see: 2002 Magic). "It's Kobe fuckin' Bryant," said Sonics GM Mgcoug. Hopefully, he can be the Sonics' savior.
Hawks acquire Payton for Williams, Kukoc
Gary "The Glove" Payton will suit up in red this season as he heads to Atlanta to man the PG spot.
The aging Payton was acquired by the Hawks as insurance if Andre Miller bailed via FA, but coincidentally, Andre Miller re-signed with the Hawks, aware that he may be traded in the near future. "I'm glad to be in Atlanta and these group of guys," Payton said Wednesday. "They made it to the playoffs last year and I just want to come in here and help out in any way I can." The Hawks successfully avoided the CY last season, but JCarter was not content with just that. Now the Hawks have a star PG who brings leadership and experience. If they can move Miller for a PF or a SG upgrade, the Hawks could advance further in the playoffs next year.
Grizzlies acquire Iverson, Mohammed, Harvey from 76ers for Marion, Boozer, Hamilton, future pick
AI arrives in Vancouver all smiles.
The Grizzlies were not content with just having the best PG in the league as well as the best Center in the league, so Afro went and traded youngsters Shawn Marion, Carlos Boozer, and Richard Hamilton as well as a future 1st round pick for one of the league's most dynamic scorers in Allen Iverson (who is arguably, the 2nd best PG or SG in the league). This makes sense for both teams, since Karl "Grandpa Mail Man" Malone finally decided to retire from the Sixers as well as the Grizzlies remaining competitive out West. The Grizzlies were upset by #6 Spurs last year in the playoffs, mostly attributed to the season-ending eye injury on the 2nd-to-last game of the regular season. "Whenever you add a player of Iverson's caliber, only good can come out of it," said Jason Kidd of Iverson Wednesday night. The trio of JKidd, Shaq, and AI is definitely a force to be reckoned with and officially dubs the Grizzlies as my early pick for the 2003 SSBL Championship.
Magic acquire Pierce, Mourning for Crawford, J.O'Neal, Ilgauskas, future picks from Sonics, Lakers.
Zo will flex his muscles in Disneyland this year.
The Magic were the surprise team of last season, being projected as a lottery team prior to the season. But they young Magic players downplayed the critics and proved to everybody that a young team does not necessarily automatically mean they are destined for a lottery pick. Wanting to stay competitive, the Magic traded their two young leaders, Jamal Crawford and Jermaine O'Neal, who were key in their surprise success, for veterans Alonzo Mourning and Paul Pierce, who are undoubtedly upgrades at their respective positions. "I'm excited," said Dan Dickau. "We had a great run last season and we want to improve on that. I'm fortunate to be part of something that I feel will be Magical...Yep, pun intended." Can the Magic piece it together with a (basically) new roster? Will 2nd-year PG Dan Dickau continue his impressive play after a stellar rookie campaign (17/8 last season)?
Sonics acquire Bryant, Harpring, Gugliotta, Okur for Gordon, Crawford, Turkoglu, Wallace, Bagaric, picks.
MVP Bryant, shown here after the Bucks' upset in the '02 Finals, will suit up in Sonic green this year.
The Lakers have been wheelin'-and-dealin' this offseason in their full-out rebuild, first trading away Zo and now the MVP Kobe Bryant. It is the first time in SSBL4 history that the MVP of the league from the prior season got traded in the subsequent offseason. The Lakers indeed received a bunch of young pieces and still have Grant Hill whom DaSchmaranz is shopping around. The Sonics gave up a lot to nab the best player in the league, but now he doesn't have much help...It will be interesting to see if guys like Dalambert, Bobby Simmons, and Speedy Claxton can step their game up to help Kobe out in Seattle. On paper, the Sonics, even with Kobe onboard, doesn't look like a great team, but you never know how things play out (or sim out) during the course of the regular season here at SSBL (see: 2002 Magic). "It's Kobe fuckin' Bryant," said Sonics GM Mgcoug. Hopefully, he can be the Sonics' savior.
Hawks acquire Payton for Williams, Kukoc
Gary "The Glove" Payton will suit up in red this season as he heads to Atlanta to man the PG spot.
The aging Payton was acquired by the Hawks as insurance if Andre Miller bailed via FA, but coincidentally, Andre Miller re-signed with the Hawks, aware that he may be traded in the near future. "I'm glad to be in Atlanta and these group of guys," Payton said Wednesday. "They made it to the playoffs last year and I just want to come in here and help out in any way I can." The Hawks successfully avoided the CY last season, but JCarter was not content with just that. Now the Hawks have a star PG who brings leadership and experience. If they can move Miller for a PF or a SG upgrade, the Hawks could advance further in the playoffs next year.
