With the season coming to a close and the NBA Playoffs fast approaching we at Hurricanes Are For Drinking are taking this opportunity to dish out our rendition of accolades for the 2006-2007 regular season. In this installment of the awards prediction we will take a look at two of the best and worst trades of the season.
Worst Trades
The Bulls Trade Tyson Chandler to NOOCH for PJ Brown and JR Smith. Then the Bulls trade JR Smith to the Denver Nuggets for Howard Eisley’s contract and two future second round picks. As of April 4th, 2007 Tyson Chandler is averaging 9.6 ppg 12.5 reb 1.79 blocks and is shooting 63% from the field. JR Smith has been the perfect addition to the 3-Point parched Nuggets and is now averaging 13.8 ppg and shooting close to 40% from behind the arc. PJ Brown still has the ability to make it rain by raking in a little over $8.5 million this season.
The Boston Celtics trade the 7th overall pick, Raef LaFrentz, and Dan Dickau to the Portland Trailblazers for Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff and Portland’s 2008 second round pick. The Blazers used that pick to draft Randy Foye and quickly traded Foye to the T-Wolves in exchange for Brandon Roy. Bassy Telfair has been a complete bust as a shoot-first point guard who cant shoot, while Roy has accomplished what was expected of him averaging around 16 ppg in his rookie campaign and leading the chatter for R.O.Y. (Rookie of the Year). IRONY!!!!
Best Trades
The Indiana Pacers trade Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Sarunas Jasikevicius, and Josh Powell to the Golden State Warriors for Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, Ike Diogu and Keith McLeod. Jackson and Harrington have been the perfect addition to the Warriors new style (or old style that is) of Nelly-Ball. Al and Stevie have lead the Warriors back into playoff contention while the Pacers have faltered heavily and are trying to muster up a last minute run for a low seed in the dismal Eastern Conference.
The Houston Rockets trade Stromile Swift and the Eighth overall pick (Rudy Gay) to the Memphis Grizzlies for Shane Battier. Now on paper it would seem like the Rockets gave up a lot of talent for a statistically mediocre player, but Battier is the epitome of player who transcends stats with his brick-wall defense and his ice water circulation system that allows him to hit clutch threes from the corner. Swift was a big signing and bust for the Rockets who thrives in the open court rather than the Van Gundy half court controlling offense. Rudy Gay has really turned up his level of play in the second half of the season and has a promising future in the NBA. The Rockets needed an move that attended to some of their needs and Battier makes the Rockets legitimate contenders for the championship.
(Boston Celtics) , (Houston Rockets) , (Rockets II)
