Trade Reviews v1.3

Ok, ok, ok, so this one happened a while ago and I never got around to writing about it. Instead I've been spouting out these random speculations about my dream roster and who I think the best players in the league are. So here you have it:

Oklahoma City, Cleveland, and Miluakee
Cavaliers receive Mo Williams
Thunder receive Desmond Mason and Joe Smith
Bucks receive Luke Ridnour, Damon Jones, and Adrian Griffin

For the Cavs it looks like a win situation, you have a guy that can score. Williams isn't by any stretch of the imagination an All-Star, but coming off of the previous season averaging 17.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists playing next to Michael Redd isn't too shabby. At least now it gives them a semi-legitimate scorer after LeBron, definitely an upgrade on number 2 scoring option from Zydraunas Ilgauskas, and definitely an upgrade from Joe Smith, Wally Sczerbiak, and/or Daniel Gibson. With Williams, one of the benefits lies therein that he can handle the ball too, hopefully allowing the Cavs to run some sort of offense with LeBron moving off ball. All in all, not a bad trade, I don't know that this makes them instant contenders, but I think it's a step forward, a bigger step than Ben Wallace and Joe Smith were, not a huge step, but a step forward nonetheless.

For the OKC Thunder (ugh... I hate this name), they get veteran Joe Smith and local fan favorite Desmond Mason, I suppose it gives them a little more depth offensively... sort of... Personally I'd still start Chris Wilcox and Jeff Green (or Kevin Durant if they decide to slide him over) over these two, but I suppose Desmond Mason is more reliable than Damien Wilkins and Joe Smith can fit into the C position no-less awkwardly than Nick Collison has been. Johan Petro and Robert Swift haven't really shown anything special so any sort of semi-legitimate post player is worth it right? I guess so... You'll see me saying that a lot with the Thunder, but that's because they're a pretty sad looking roster. In terms of potential they're off the charts, but right now they're marginally better (arguably not anymore) than Memphis. The best thing to come out of this trade is that they got rid of their glut of guards, with Luke Ridnour gone, there's no more question of who to start, him or Earl Watson. OKC front office was smart in taking Russell Westbrook as well, they could potentially play a small and fast lineup with Watson and Westbrook in the backcourt and then a small frontcourt of Wilcox, Green, and Durant. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope that Durant and Green have improved significantly. If things don't work out, at least they have like a bajillion picks over the next 3 years.

So the Bucks give up Mo Williams and Desmond Mason for 2 point guards and a guard-forward who averaged a combined 14.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.7 assists last season. Statistically, we'd say they're almost as good as Mo Williams (17.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 6.8 apg), but it's not really an apt comparison I suppose. With the arrival of Richard Jefferson, Mason became somewhat unnecessary, and this also gives them the backup spot to develop draft pick Jason Alexander. The arrival of Luke Ridnour and Damon Jones sort of creates a platoon at the PG position and makes me wonder if the front office was paying attention to Ramon Sessions at all last season. Undertsandably all his playing time came during garbage time when the Bucks weren't going to make the playoffs, but in the 7 games where Mo Williams did not play, the guy averaged 13.14 assists per game, tack onto that a not too shabby 12 point per game, 5.57 rebounds per game, and 1.71 steals per game for those 7 games, including 2 against Boston (in which he averaged 10.5 points, 10.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds) you have to say that there's something going on there. I'd give him a go, just based on his 20 point, 8 rebound, 24 assist performance against Chicago. Maybe they will, and Ridnour and Jones will have to battle for the backup spot. Then again, they do have a new coach, maybe Scott Skiles will give him a try. That being said, unless Ramon Sessions turns out to be some sort of major stud, the trade (which basically gives him more playing time) doesn't help the Bucks too much except get rid of a pair of hands that needs the ball a lot.

Top 50 Power Forwards

1 Tim Duncan
I mean, comon, a lot of people argue that he's the best PF ever. Mr. Fundamental is near unstoppable around the hoop, unless he's injured, and he's one of the most amazing two-way players to ever step onto the hardwood. I really don't need to say more.

2 Kevin Garnett
The Big Ticket finally has his ring. One of the most defensively tenacious and versatile big men in the league, the only knock is he has no go-to move.

3 Chris Bosh
The Olympics made us all wonder why we don't talk about this guy more. Sure he's probably a little light for his position, but he's remarkably versatile and able to contribute a lot on the floor. One of the more underrated players, able to do more than just pound the post.

4 Amare Stoudemire
Shaq says he's the best big man in the game. I think he's up there, he's athletic and he's got a good sense of the game. One of the few bigs that would be able to run with Steve Nash. Apparently he's even more fit now, scary.

5 Elton Brand
I like hustle players, and Elton Brand is a hustle player. He's versatile, and he's able to pound the ball, despite being slightly undersized. I like that.

6 Antawn Jamison
7 Al Jefferson
8 Carlos Boozer
9 Pau Gasol
10 David West
11 Dirk Nowitzki
12 Josh Smith
13 Emeka Okafor
14 LaMarcus Aldridge
15 Jermaine O'Neal
16 Rasheed Wallace
17 Lamar Odom
18 Antonio McDyess
19 David Lee
20 Nene Hilario
21 Udonis Haslem
22 Zach Randolph
23 Chris Wilcox
24 Nick Collison
25 Kenyon Martin
26 Ben Wallace
27 Luis Scola
28 Carl Landry
29 Drew Gooden
30 Jason Maxiell
31 Andray Blatche
32 Brandon Bass
33 Kurt Thomas
34 Yi Jianlian
35 Joe Smith
36 Glen Davis
37 Leon Powe
38 Ryan Gomes
39 Tyrus Thomas
40 Vladamir Radmonovic
41 Mikki Moore
42 Reggie Evans
43 Kenny Thomas
44 Amir Johnson
45 Donyell Marshall
46 Paul Millsap
47 Ryan Anderson*
48 Sean Williams
49 Robert Horry
50 Shareef Abdur-Rahim

Top 50 Small Forwards

A lot of players here might not play this position on their roster, to me they are out of position, so I put them here, because if things were ideal, they would be playing this position (ie Kevin Durant, Rashard Lewis, etc...)

1 LeBron James
I think anyone in contention to be considered "the best player in the world" is automatically top 5. I personally think that Kobe has the more refined game, but the scary thing is, is that LeBron hasn't reached his prime yet, he can still get better. I don't know what that'll look like, but this guy has the size of a running back, the speed to match, the handles of a point guard, and the finishing ability of some athletic freak designed for basketball. Needless to say, he's the best here right now. Touch up his jump shot, his free throw, give his range a little more consistency; scariest player to ever play, I think he could then end up being the next Magic Johnson.

2 Caron Butler
Due to all the injury woes that the Wizards go through, Butler has kind of been on and off, depending on who's getting the DNP because of injury. Usually, if he's not on the DNP list though he's a major contributor. He's a great finisher, pretty good shooter, easily an All-Star caliber talent. He also comes up with major steals and all in all is one of the best all-around players on the court right now.

3 Gerald Wallace
Gerald Wallace gets steals like Josh Smith gets blocks. In actuality I don't think there has been any two-way player I've seen more like Scottie Pippen than Wallace. The major concern is that he gets injured a lot, but that's only if the Bobcats are stupid and play him out of position as a power forward. His shot definitely still needs a lot of work, but he's a defensive monster, and his offensive game is catching up. He doesn't get too much love since he's on the Bobcats, and playing usually 2nd fiddle to Jason Richardson.

4 Shawn Marion
The Matrix kind of disappeared after being traded to the worst ever Miami heat for Shaquille O'Neal. Despite any off-court issues he might have with the looks he's getting and the number of touches he has, Marion still contributes in all facets. He's a tenacious defender that can cover multiple positions, and finishes strong. Despite how ugly it looks, he still makes his shots too. It'll be interesting seeing him with Wade and Beasley, I think with Wade back healthy he'll be a big part of the Heat lineup, unless Pat Riley decides to trade him again.

5 Paul Pierce
You could arguably call Paul Pierce a shooting guard. Like Tracy McGrady he can play both positions, and there are strong arguments making the two positions sort of interchangeable. He makes it to the line, he can finish at the rim, he can shoot, he's an underrated rebounder and passer, and his 3 point shot is fairly reliable. If only he were a little faster, but he's getting old.

6 Rashard Lewis
7 Carmelo Anthony
8 Ron Artest
9 Richard Jefferson
10 Andrei Kirilenko
11 Andre Iguodala
12 Luol Deng
13 Hedo Turkoglu
14 Corey Maggette
15 Kevin Durant
16 Rudy Gay
17 Danny Granger
18 Tayshaun Prince
19 Bruce Bowen
20 Shane Battier
21 Stephen Jackson
22 Al Harrington
23 James Posey
24 Travis Outlaw
25 Al Thornton
26 Jamario Moon
27 Marvin Williams
28 Peja Stojakovic
29 Boris Diaw
30 John Salmons
31 Brandon Wright
32 Michael Beasley*
33 Carlos Delfino
34 Anthony Randolph*
35 Kyle Korver
36 Tim Thomas
37 Andres Nocioni
38 Matt Barnes
39 Thaddeus Young
40 Danilo Gallinari*
41 Joe Alexander*
42 Martell Webster
43 Dorell Wright
44 James Jones
45 Wally Sczerbiak
46 Adam Morrison
47 Linas Kleiza
48 Trevor Ariza
49 Sun Yue*
50 Jared Dudley