NBA Trades and Signings

A lot has happened in the world of Basketball. Probably more than we ever thought would happen. It's been a wild offseason with a ton of signings and other transactions that left us with our jaws dropped.

I feel like a refresher is in order. Time to remind the people just what's been going on and how it affects the NBA when it starts back up in the Fall.

Steve Nash signs with The Lakers


This was probably THE move that turned a lot of heads and left people stunned. It was a common knowledge that Nash would find his way out of Phoenix and try to win that ring that has eluded him for so long. Teams like New York, and even Miami were a possibility. But Nash has gone to The Lakers. The team with Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum leading the charge. This spells trouble for the NBA. The Lakers now have a Big 3 of their own: Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, and Andrew Bynum. A case could be made for Ron Artest, but I don't think it's necessary. But The Lakers now have the potential to cause some serious damage in the NBA. They have the second best big man in Bynum, Kobe is getting old, but still playing at a superstar level and now one of, if not, the best point guard in the league in Steve Nash. It's going to be interesting seeing how Nash meshes with Kobe and Co.



Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis sign with The Miami Heat


Ray Allen: The man who made had a career best and made 45% of his three pointers this past season has taken his talents to South Beach. This move had to have been influenced by James, Wade, and Bosh. It's sad to see Ray Allen leave Boston so easily because they offered him tons and tons of money and the chance for another ring. That goes to show loyalty really doesn't mean much these days. Nonetheless, Miami just got even better on the offensive side of the ball. Ray Allen is one of the best three point shooters in the league and a solid defender at that. He's going to give Miami that extra boost of scoring when they really need it which can come in extremely handy.

Rashard Lewis, on the other hand, is a different breed as well. The man is a lean 230 pounder that also the uncanny ability to shoot lights out. He was one of the integral parts of the Magic's trip to the NBA Finals in 2009. Rashard is one of those players than can provide the mismatch for opposing teams, can post up when he wants, but won't shy away from shooting a perimeter shot. He's a well-rounded ball player on both sides of the ball, and with his strength, Miami got a tad bit better on the defensive side of things.



Jason Kidd signs with The New York Knicks


New York Knicks fans all around the world were beyond happy with this pick. Not only do they get to keep stars like Novak and JR Smith, but they've added a seasoned veteran in Jason Kidd who just helped Dallas capture their first ring last season. Up until Jeremy Lin got injured, there never really was a true point guard on The Knicks. The Knicks were better when they all shared the ball and Carmelo didn't take 40-50 shots a game. Jason Kidd is going to bring stability to this team and restore a balance that was missing within The Knicks towards the end of the season and into the playoffs. For the sake of Knicks fans, Kidd hopefully is the last piece to help get this team a ring........as soon as he gets cleared of his DWI charges.



Joe Johnson signs with The Brooklyn Nets


The Brooklyn Nets are playing no games this offseason. They've resigned Deron Williams, kept Humphries and Lopez, but now they've reeled in a pretty big fish: Joe Johnson. The man who was arguably the best player The Atlanta Hawks had on their team has signed with Jay-Z's Brooklyn Nets. This move was a warning to the NBA that this team is ready to no longer be the team that people deem as an easy win. The Nets have been bad for far too long. They've got more than enough firepower to be at least considered a contender heading into this season, or at least have a shot at making the playoffs. Joe Johnson has just reassured that fact if it wasn't already clear.




Jeremy Lin signs with The Houston Rockets


The Linsanity Era is over in New York and the craze will now make its way to Houston. I always thought Linsanity was a tad bit overrated and would die out eventually. Sure, Jeremy Lin had a pretty good stretch of games and made The Knicks look like a force in the process, but when he ran into The Miami Heat, things never were the same. I'm sure The Knicks felt the same way and had no intention of bringing him back despite what other stories reported. They felt like Lin was a one-hit wonder. Well, I'll give Lin this: he did make The Knicks good for a stretch. There was the emergence of Steve Novak and everybody on the team got a piece of the ball and had their moment in the sun. Lin was no ballhog to make a long story short. I'm a bit nervous about his move to Houston. Is Houston really sold on Lin being the answer after just having one really good stretch of games, or does Houston see something else that nobody else does?




OJ Mayo signs with The Dallas Mavericks


Last season, The Dallas Mavericks were on top of the world. They had just won the franchise's first NBA Championship and spoiled the first year of the Miami Heat Big 3. Fast forward a year later, they were swept out of the first round by Oklahoma City and now almost all the players that helped capture Dallas' ring is gone. Jason Kidd is gone, Jason Terry is gone, Tyson Chandler is gone, and JJ Barea is gone. Only person left is Dirk. But now Dallas has salvaged something from all this wreckage and managed to steal one of Memphis' best players from them. I don't know how Memphis fans feel about this move, or even if they care at all. Dallas is pretty much starting over with Dirk and OJ Mayo is the first step. Dallas has not handled their situation very well. But this was a wise first step.


Other Notable Transactions


Eric Gordon signs with The New Orleans Hornets
Lamar Odom and Grant Hill signed with The Los Angeles Clippers
Kurt Thomas and Raymond Felton signed with The New York Knicks
Houston Rockets signed Marcus Camby
Brooklyn Nets signed Jerry Stackhouse
Boston Celtics signed Jason Terry




For more information on NBA Trades and Signings along with notable free agents, go to the links below. And of course, you can count on Sports Monarchy to bring you the latest in NBA Offseason news!

http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2012_13/


http://www.nba.com/freeagents/2012/


Oh and before I forget, Dwight Howard is STILL with The Orlando Magic. So much for that trade he's been complaining and wanting so badly. And people get on Lebron James' case.



Feel free to Comment.


By: Gerald "Showstopper" Prophete

Offseason Winners and Losers

IT BEGINS IN THE OFFSEASON

"HOPE CAN ONLY TAKE YOU SO FAR" -

Many believe that the new season starts September 5, 2012, but im here to show you that the next season starts right after the superbowl. The NFL is a unstoppable machine that keeps on pushing, the infamous "offseason" is a season on its own. The offseason can either make or break your team before it even starts, many teams have strived through free agency and the draft to help build their dynasties. We've seen Drew Brees arguably the greatest free agency pick up in history and Darren Sproles to Donovan McNabb, and Albert Haynesworth. Drew Brees and Sproles went on to break records while McNabb and Haynesworth went on to many not so great things thus leading to both getting released.
The offseason is a key step to a teams future, the decisions you make can either put your team steps closer or futher to a Superbowl. We will take a look at the top five best and worst offseason moves so far.

THE BEST MOVES

1. Denver Broncos - (Peyton Manning) The Broncos just signed arguably the greatest quaterback in the history of the NFL. The Broncos were a exciting team last year because of Tim "The Chosen One" Tebow but the fact is their passing game was inconsistent and down right embarrasing at times, in two games against the Chiefs Tim Tebow completed eight passes i repeat 8. Denver knows if they want to be true contenters they need a field general, which Peyton Manning is. This team should be in the playoff mix if Peyton Manning can remain healthy and the defense stays focus.
2. St. Louis Rams- (Trading the Second Overall Pick) The Rams traded the second overall pick to the Redskins for a kings ransom. They recieved three number one overall picks and one second round pick from the Redskins.With three number one picks and one second round pick they can perhaps bring back the "Greatest Show on Tuff". they need to draft Justin Blackmon.
3. Dallas Cowboys-(Brandon Carr, etc) "Americans Team" has quietly been making key pick ups to fix that suspect defense. I know they lost Laurent Robinson but they can draft another wide reciever to fill his void. The cowboys have picked up Brandon Carr a dynamic corner with above average man to man skill and just signed a interior guard Nate Livings. A sleeper pick up was Dan O Connor MLB from the Panthers often over shadowed by Jon Beason now has a chance for playing time in Dallas watch out. The D is back in Dallas well on paper atleast.                                           
4. New York Jets- (Laron Landry, Tim Tebow) The Jets will be a media circus but they have just improved their team dramatically. Laron Landry is the dynamic safety Rex ryan has been missing i have some doubts about his coverage skills but i see him being used as a Troy Polamalu type safety/ linebacker in this scheme. Tim "The Chosen One" Tebow will bring third down conversions and a red zone threat. "AS LONG AS TEBOW DOESNT START" the Jets will improve.
5. Chicago Bears- (Brandon Marshall, Michael Bush)  The Bears got a steal for Brandon Marshall from Miami now they have a big time reciever and a solid back in Michael Bush who could start on any team. They just need to sign Matt Forte to a long term deal and draft a saftey and the Monsters of The Midway will be a force. 

THE WORST MOVES

1. Miami Dolphins- They lost Brandon Marshall, didnt sign Peyton Manning and couldnt sign Matt Flynn. they have a rookie head coach, a suspect offense without Marshall and a good defense but we know that wont be enough to stop Tom Brady, also the Bills and Jets just got way better. I see the first overall pick in this teams future.
2. Cincinnati Bengals-  The Bengals offseason stragety is a confusing one, "the guys that played well for us we wont sign back" and then we wont sign anybody at all for weeks. The Bengals just signed Benjarvus Green-Ellis a good running back but flashy and game changer wouldnt be the definition of his game. This team needs to add pieces on defense and offense to have a chance against the Steelers and Ravens.
3. Oakland Raiders-  They showed promise last season then they decided to trade their whole offseason for Carson Palmer, which failed dramatically.  Carson Palmer only had thirteen touchdowns to sixteen Interceptions. Carson Palmer often looked rattled and confused in the pocket, a shell of his former self. The Raiders fired their, head coach, cut their second best linebacker, and cut their best cornerback. The new general manager is trying to start over in Oakland but it seems Raider nation was finally starting to take steps forward to only be moving backwards now. It will be a few years till the Raiders "just win baby". 
4. Jacksonville Jaguars- This team is a mess a quaterback with no heart, many believe it to be a boring franchise, which  failed to bring their most popular player home. Signing Laurent Robinson was good but they failed to make the Tim Tebow trade which cost the team millions in revenue. Jacksonville hands down has the most boring team in the NFL and they did no favors for themselves missing out on Tim Tebow. 
5. New Orleans Saints/ Indianapolis Colts- These teams make the list by defaullt the bounty scandle losing Carl Nicks and not signing Drew Brees to a long term deal shows this team needs to get it together. They found a good replacement for Carl Nicks with Ben Grubbs, but the lost of their head coach and draft picks will hurt this franchise. The Colts releases their greatest quarterback ever and also could have traded the first overall pick for a fortune. Andrew Luck maybe be the quarterback of the future but what if he isnt? 

        We didn't forget about those who over spent such a Tampa Bay Bucs(good moves), Buffalo Bills (good moves). Also Washington trading to get RG3, that can hopefully turn that franchise around. Also Patriots finished just outside the top five for good moves, because Brandon Lloyd signing was huge that offense will be deadly. 

     

 By. Phillip "STATS" Rodney 

Thanks for reading

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