Ronnie Turner: Bulls bag best deal of trading season
This honor goes to the Chicago Bulls, who fortified their lineup and snagged an extra first-round pick in the 2009 draft without giving up any of their top three players.
The Bulls picked up sharpshooter John Salmons and veteran center Brad Miller from Sacramento for forwards Drew Gooden and Andres Nocioni and two scrubs.
Salmons, a swingman, averaged a career-high 18.3 points with the Kings this season, and Miller, who averaged 11.9 points and eight rebounds with the Kings, is a two-time All-Star.
The Bulls also traded unhappy guard Larry Hughes to the Knicks for reserves Tim Thomas, Jerome James and Anthony Roberson. The latter three probably won’t help much this season, but their combined $25.25 million in next season’s salary will come off the books in time for 2010, when LeBron James and others hit free agency. To top it off, the Bulls dumped Thabo Sefolosha to Oklahoma City for one of the Thunder’s 2009 first-round picks.
Keith Cordero Jr.: Knicks grab Hughes, clear space for LeBron’
First of all Ronnie, nobody cares about the Bulls because they continue to disappoint year in and year out while underplaying with tons of talent. The clear-cut winners of the NBA trade deadline were the New York Knicks.
The Knicks acquired swingman Larry Hughes, who is averaging 11.7 points a game this season, from the Bulls by dumping guard Anthony Roberson, high-salary forward Tim Thomas and center Jerome James. They also shipped veteran forward Malik Rose to Oklahoma City for center Chris Wilcox. Hughes and Wilcox are athletic players who will fit in well in head coach Mike D’Antoni’s run and gun system.
These two deals continue to free up cap space for the Knicks, who look to make a big push to acquire superstar LeBron James when he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2010.’
The Knicks, who have played well under their new coach, should start Hughes at shooting guard alongside Chris Duhon.’
Phillipe Craig:’ Magic makes Rafer disappear from Rockets’
Let me get this straight. Ronnie and Keith picked two teams that are currently on the outside looking in for the playoff race and they are ‘winners?’
Ronnie plays the ‘first round pick’ card, but it’s a late pick and the NBA draft is a crapshoot. Keith using the Knicks and winners in the same sentence is like studying on spring break – it’s just not happening.
The real winners are the Orlando Magic, a team that is going to the playoffs and needed a replacement piece to maintain their current pace. By acquiring Rafer Alston for what will most likely be a late first round pick, the Magic plugged in a proven point guard who has playoff experience and is adept to deferring to a center. ‘
The game slows down in the playoffs, forcing teams to execute in their half-court sets. This is where Alston’s ability to distribute and run the offense will pay dividends. Players want championships now, not cap flexibility in 18 months.
Judge Dredd: Alston’s arrival will benefit both Alston and Orlando
Normally, Judge Dredd would smite any fool who dares to take a shot at the Knicks’ legacy. Phillipe, you bastard – if the names such as Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, and Patrick Ewing don’t ring a bell, you should definitely brush up on your NBA History.
These guys are Hall of Fame (and one future hall of fame) players who helped build the Mecca of basketball and established one of the most storied franchises in sports history. The last seven years of mediocrity doesn’t take away from what this franchise of ‘winners’ has meant for the NBA.
Judge Dredd will show leniency this time because your argument for the Magic’s deal for Alston actually made sense. Phillipe wins. However, future displays of ignorance and incompetence will result in harsh punishment.
Alston has more scoring options to defer to in Orlando, so his inconsistent shooting will take a back seat to his ability to penetrate and dish.’
Hedo Turkoglu, Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis’ numbers should all increase because of Alston’s ability to find the open man.’
FACETIME: Can I change my minor to ‘bracketology?’
