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By MATTHEW LEE & TOM LEE
Published: June 27, 2007 I’m lying on my queen-sized bed, listening to the fourth game of the 2007 NBA Finals on the radio sitting 2 feet from my ears. It’s swallowing me whole – I hold on to the hope that I will be able to travel to Cleveland for Game 5 that following Sunday, only to be met with the frustrating youth of the Cavs’ play late in the game. They can’t grab a rebound down the stretch and fall 0-4 to the San Antonio Spurs. It’s a feeling oft-sympathized by the Eastern Conference. In the past 9 years since the Michael Jordan era ended in Chicago, the Western conference has taken 7 of the past 9 titles while clearly outpacing the East in wins and relevance. This past year, when it appeared somehow possible that all five teams in the East’s Atlantic division could finish under .500, it was never clearer as to how the East had fallen off. Three of the Atlantic’s teams – Philadelphia, Boston and New York, each historically decorated and former NBA powerhouses looked nothing like the preeminent Larry Bird, Julius Erving and Patrick Ewing-led teams. Boston was quietly posting the league’s worst record; Philadelphia had traded its superstar Allen Iverson to the Denver Nuggets, and New York, which used to hold title to the world’s most famous basketball stage in Madison Square Garden, continued to be marred in the Isiah Thomas era. It will be interesting to see how Miami reshapes its team in the next few years – how it will build around Wade’s talent and not Shaq’s. |
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And as three of the biggest east coast markets wane in NBA interest, the West continues to produce winners. The reason can be tied to the West’s focus on low post play. As Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal have split 8 of the past 9 NBA titles, the East has produced easily marketable star wing players. When the two have been pitted against each other, the West’s size easily trumps the East. But with every era comes the rise and fall of franchises, and the East is on the verge of coming around to match the West. Even as the 2007 draft is going to be claimed by the West, the East has quietly enjoyed an influx of better, younger talent then the West – starting with the 2003 NBA Draft, perhaps the most important draft of the decade with the drafting of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. When talking about the marketing and coverage of NBA Careers, LeBron James quickly comes to mind. No one has had a more special first four years in the league. James’ first game was the leading sports story that night following a surreal debut, in which James’ ability was showcased in the first quarter, capped by a steal and thunderous dunk that is oft the most remembered play of his career. Since then, he’s finished in the top five in MVP Voting twice (including No.2 in 2006), been to 3 straight All-star games and won the rookie of the year award. In that span, he has won four playoff series, including putting his team over the Detroit Pistons in this years’ Eastern Conference finals. In one of the greatest NBA Playoff performances, period – James poured in 48 points including 29 of his team’s last 30 (and 25 straight points); hitting clutch jumpers, fadeaways, and drives to seal the game. At 22, James could wind up with more titles in his career than Jordan. Then there’s Dwyane Wade. He missed much of last season with a shoulder injury, but at 25, Wade is on the cusp of his prime. If his performance in the 2006 NBA Finals in any indication, Wade and the Miami Heat will be contenders next season.  | Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett would instantly legitimize the East. Even as Shaquille O’Neal gets up there in age, a Shaq and Wade-led team can get to the Finals in a healthy year. It will be interesting to see how Miami reshapes its team in the next few years – how it will build around Wade’s talent and not Shaq’s. Aside from the talent of the 2003 draft, the fastest way for the East to catch up with the East, at least in terms of viewership, is a trade for Kobe Bryant or Kevin Garnett. If Kobe is traded to the Chicago Bulls or New York Knicks, the attention that the NBA will get would be unbecoming. How good could a Pierce-Garnett combo be? It would have instantly made them contenders, bring back the fans in Boston and breathe life back into his career. |
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Kobe in the East Coast would mean a Kobe-LeBron, a Kobe-Dwyane Wade, a Kobe-Gilbert Arenas, a Kobe-Vince Carter, a Kobe-Paul Pierce, a Kobe-Michael Redd match-up nearly every other game. In addition to procuring TV-friendly match-ups, how unreal would it be if Kobe came to Chicago touting a #24 jersey? Kevin Garnett recently shot down a trade to Boston that could possibly have been his best chance to get to the Finals. He appears to be deadset on going to Phoenix, but how good could a Pierce-Garnett combo be? It would have instantly made them contenders, bring back the fans in Boston and breathe life back into his career. The Boston trade made perfect sense. In the weeks leading up to the draft, I had discussed with our Sports Correspondence Paul Kim a Garnett trade to Boston. Minnesota would receive the No.5 pick and forward Al Jefferson. They would be able to rebuild with their own No.7 pick and have a promising collection of young players to develop. A Garnett and Pierce combo would be good enough to get them to the playoffs and make Boston a contender. In the end, it will be interesting to see where Garnett does end up. Young, budding superstars in Toronto, Washington and Orlando are plotting to make a playoff push next year. And as trades and moves work themselves out before the draft, the East is poised to make a comeback. With or without Garnett and Kobe, the East is going to be back. How to fix the Nets With an aging Kidd at the point, the Nets need some help in their last years at East Rutherford
 By Tom Lee Coming off a hugely disappointing playoff series, the New Jersey Nets find themselves in an awkward transition stage. Though the Nets’ move to Brooklyn still pending NBA approval, plans are in motion for the team to tip-off their 2009-2010 season in a new home. Franchise player Jason Kidd at best is a couple years away from being decommissioned, perennial star Vince Carter is still a perennial disappointment, while Richard Jefferson is nearing his prime. The only other player worth mentioning right now is Nenad Krstic and he is still recovering from tearing up his knee. The Nets have several options: build around their core, trade one of their stars for a big man, or break the team up and build for the future. At no point should any team pack it in and call it a year. Unless of course and there's a have a chance to get a Greg Oden or Kevin Durant in the draft. The goal of every team should be to win the NBA Finals and truth is, with the team they have now, the Nets are good enough to take the Eastern Conference. The question is what is the missing piece that can put them over the top? A look at next year's starting lineup gives us a good idea of what they need: Kidd, Carter, Jefferson, a piece of crap, Krstic. Without a doubt, the Nets are lacking a good, tough big man that can rebound, block shots and score in the post. To acquire a big man they can do one of two things, trade Jefferson or score a middle round gem in this year’s draft. Trading someone besides Jefferson doesn't make sense; Kidd is the franchise player and Carter will likely have a clause that doesn't allow him to get traded. Literally, no one else on the team has much trade value or there is no sense in trading (Marcus Williams, J-Kidd's heir). Despite his off court problems, the best player for the Nets to trade for may be Zach Randolph. A solid 20 and 10 will give the Nets something they haven't had since the great Derrick Coleman. Though both heavy lefties have had their share of off the court problems, Randolph has got to be a clone of Coleman. With a lineup of Kidd, Carter, Antoine Wright, Randolph, Krstic, it gives them solid, competent players at every position. I cannot think of any other player that is more readily available and a better fit than Randolph. This addition will give the Nets a great chance to get into the Finals. Do the Nets' Finals hopes rest in two drug using and abusing but highly talented individuals? In today's NBA, it could happen. |
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An alternative would be drafting well. There's always that Gilbert Arenas or Carlos Boozer available late in the draft. The Nets have several big man options that can easily improve their team – Josh McRoberts, Jason Smith, Tiago Splitter, and Sean Williams are all worth considering with the 17th pick. Improving through the draft while cheap and potentially hugely rewarding, would be a big question mark for the Nets as they may be risking Kidd's great play by not getting better now. Josh McRoberts and Jason Smith are solid players and seem to be favorites of mock drafts across the internet. Sean Williams notorious for his involvement with marijuana may be a hidden gem for the Nets. His shot-blocking ability and down low play make him a very attractive option for the Nets. Picture him playing the role of the late Kenyon Martin; it could happen. Obviously these are just some quick thoughts but do the Nets' Finals hopes rest in two drug using and abusing but highly talented individuals? In today's NBA, it could happen and possibly push the upcoming Brooklyn's Finest into one of the top teams in the L. http://www.matthewdlee.com/features/062707/nbastate.html |
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