A flurry of big trades occurred in the NBA right as the trade deadline came to pass. After the LA Lakers successfully trade, Dallas and Phoenix attempted to keep up with the Joneses in a Western Conference arms race.
Kidd returns “home”
The Dallas Mavericks brought back their former No. 2 overall pick, All-star point guard Jason Kidd. Obviously, Kidd has a lot of upside. He’s got great court vision, is a tremendous passer and allows Jason Terry to finally settle into his natural position at shooting guard. Kidd also matches up better with most of the West’s elite guards (Parker, Nash, Paul, Williams, Davis).
However, Devin Harris (now with the Nets) arguably kept up with Spurs point guard Tony Parker better than anyone the past two years. For Dallas, it’s time worries should stem beyond San Antonio. The Mavericks know best that it’s no longer a given that top seeds make it out of the first-round of the playoffs. So was this trade dumb? Maybe, Dallas did give up a lot. But this team, above all others, needed a shake up heading toward the playoffs. Kidd will give the Mavs a chance to win now, but his value will be more as passer than as an aging jump shooter.
The valley of Shaq
The Phoenix Suns made the boldest trade deadline move, shipping Shawn Marion to Miami for injuring-riddle Super-star Shaquille O’Neal. The true brilliance or folly of this move will not fully be determined until the postseason. What the Suns did was give up on their small ball style to address their proceived lack of frontcourt prowess. Shaq is a formidable defender in the post and if healthy can match San Antonio’s Tim Duncan or LA’s Andrew Bynum /Pau Gasol stride-for-stride. Why O’Neal brings confidence to locker room, one question remains. Will Shaq’s presence create an identity crisis in Phoenix that’s too much to overcome? By far, this was the dumber move. But the overall outcome is still pending.
Finally, I want to leave you with post NBA deadline rumor from SI.com’s Fan Nation. Something to ponder…
NBA execs question Sonics trades
Posted: Friday February 22, 2008 06:09AM ET
In a three-way trade with the Bulls and Cavaliers, the SuperSonics got just the expiring contracts of Ira Newble, Donyell Marshall and Adrian Griffin in a deal that raises questions after Seattle moved Kurt Thomas to the Spurs earlier this week. The feeling among several league executives is new Seattle general manager Sam Presti, who got his current job after working for the Spurs under current Cavs general manager Danny Ferry, is paying off debts by trying to help the Spurs and Cavs.
Chicago Tribune
Blogger’s Note: Dallas was 3-1 since the addition of Jason Kidd at the time of this post. Phoenix was 2-2 since addition of Shaq, including a 30-point drubbing by the Detroit Pistons.
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