Headlines Heading into Training Camp

[IamQuailman]

With TC approaching quickly, let's take a quick look at some of the headlines from sportswriters around the league. 29 Teams, 29 Snippets... starting with the Atlantic Division!

The Boston Globe
Beginner's Luck?

"... With the core of Hawes, Wall, and Dudley returning, the Celtics are poised to head into training camp with their only new additions being 2 rookie power forwards in Kelly Olynyk and Mason Plumlee. Will these two newbies be enough to help the C's turn the corner?"

The Star-Ledger
Net Neutral-ity

"... The fan base is wondering what the front office is thinking. The front office has made it known that they are willing to reboot the franchise, but no deals emerged in the off-season... so they returned the same core and added some star power in Kobe. Problem? It's about a decade too late."

Miami Herald
All In

"...Miami Heat are living up to the Miami image of big spending, being over 40 million over the tax. Something's got to give, and it won't be the banks and lenders. Despite the cool composure of GM Logpmess, sources close to the team are afraid of tax sanctions that could be imposed on the Heat if they don't pay their bill. Same source said allocated funds for luxury tax payments are drying up faster than a South Beach bar during happy hour."

New York Post
The Young And The Traped Less

"...After taking a media beating during a deadline day move last season in moving the 2013 1st WITH Kenneth Faried just to off-load Mike Conley's dead weight and bring on board a power forward with no idea what winning looks like, the Knicks GM figured out how to stop getting had. Fans were anxious to hear GM Inner had been in talks with the Bucks GM again, but were pleased with the return. To top that off, they pull off a Dallas heist in getting 2 picks and an expiring contract for Hill. Finally turned it around? Hopefully, but this is New York. I ain't getting my hopes up."

Orlando Sentinel
Magic KingDOOM

"...I'm trying to be glass half-full here, because we DID retain Wesley Matthews, but man... Luis Scola and Tim Thomas? The fan base had so much higher hopes for free agency."

Philadelphia Inquirer
Point-less

"...Failing to win a ring in last season's Finals, Balls saw the writing on the wall that the team needed a new identity and that the current make-up wasn't going to last. In one fell swoop, the Sixers went from proud and proven to brash and young, with additions of Demarcus Cousins, Evan Turner, Gordon Hayward, Andrew Bynum, and Marcus Throntrwon... and um, Julyan Stone? Sixers need a floor general ASAP."

The Washington Post
Abra Cap-dabra

"...The Wizards are stacked. Stacked at center. Stacked roster as a whole. Only thing they won't have stacks of is revenue, considering they are the 2nd highest cap bill in the league. In any other season, they would be the highest by far. However, people aren't afraid to spend these days and GM Xist is going to have to become a cap wizard in order to handle this situation."

[JNR]

And now the Pacific division!

East Bay Times
Now or Never

"The Warriors don't have any new young talent in the pipeline -- unless you believe Evan Fournier, Allen Crabbe, and Avery Bradley are talented. For now it's just Zach Randolph, DeAndre Jordan, and Steph Curry trying to lead a band of misfits through the West gauntlet again, $30M over the cap and little future promise."

Los Angeles Times
Content Champions

"...sure, there may be some skeptics who are alarmed that the Clippers haven't filled their roster out past six players. And those same skeptics will point out that the available players to fill out said roster won't be needle movers in any way. But those skeptics are largely getting ignored and with good reasons. It's the offseason, and the Los Angeles Clippers are champions."

Los Angeles Times
Freaks and Greeks

"...The drafting of the 18 year old project from Greece marks a change in philosophy in LA. Gone are the days of Nate Robinson and Tony Allen. And you have to assume that gone soon will be the days of Andrew Bogut, who commands $25M in salary this year."

The Seattle Times
New GM, New Hope?

"While matching Tyler Hansbrough brought the Sonics over the cap, it is at least uplifting to see a GM try and get a team together to contend. However, the simple truth is this team isn't ready to contend yet, and being over the cap makes it harder to get the team to the next level."

Arizona Republic
Is Anybody Home?

"...and now, after two free agency days of inactivity, it's becoming clear that the Suns organization do not intend to be players this season. Sure, they're over the cap, but they should have been able to lure some decent players to come to Phoenix and play with Kevin Love. Instead, it looks like we're in for another decent season and nothing more."

Portland Tribune
Rosy Present, Murky Future

"Today's big deal to bring Luol Deng and Hamed Haddadi into the fold confirm that the Blazers are going all in on this season. And with Deng, Artest, and Hunter, you know the defense will be good enough to bring them to the promised land. This all begs the question, though: how long can this group contend? Will trading the 2016 pick turn out to be a mistake?"

Sacramento Bee
Return of the King

"...the Kings have not been power players in free agency thus far, only bringing in C.J. Watson. But the bulk of their offseason transformation was done in a trade to bring Tyson Chandler back home. That coupled with retaining Darren Collison gives the Kings newfound hope of reclaiming the West."

[IamQuailman]

Central Division:

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hawks Prey On Free Agency AGAIN

"... In an almost recurring theme of the off-season, the Hawks strike gold with their silver tongue, and this year's vet min recipient was Nate Robinson. After seemingly endless and aimless seasons on the Los Angeles Lakers, Robinson was desperate to join a contender, and clearly money was NOT an issue."

Chicago Tribune
Gordon Bye-ward

"... This offseason was defined by 3 moves. Super-max'ing James Harden was a no brainer, but 2 interesting trades also occurred, where the Bulls brought in some new faces in Larry Sanders, Ramon Sessions, and Nikola Mirotic... at the shocking expense of once-core player Gordon Hayward and Nando de Colo. Colo saw the writing on the wall, but Hayward definitely did not expect to be moved, despite trade rumors lingering all season."

Cleveland Plain Dealer
PROHIBITION

"...After last season's disappointment, Cleveland decided to ban Booz from their team... Carlos Boozer that is. In a shocking move to let Boozer walk to division rival, where does this leave Cleveland and their two stars, Chris Paul (contract year) and Marc Gasol (1 year remaining after this season)? They did bring in Ike Diogu as a replacement, but will that be enough to convince CP3 to stay long term?"

Detroit Free Press
Pist-[ON] OFF

"...After seasons of wading in the kids pool, the Detroit Pistons are ready to hop in for adult swim. With already 2 dominant forces down low in AD and LMA, GM RB15 added veteran leadership and wing depth via former-Piston Kevin Martin, Kirk Hinrich, Tim Hardaway Jr, and Reggie Evans. With the Central Division coming alive, will it be enough to take the crown from the Hawks?"

The Indianapolis Star
Out-paced

"...Pacers entered Free Agency with over 40million in cap space and quite a few holes. They managed to sign back Deron to a mega 5 year (no option) deal, but they struck out huge elsewhere in the first wave of signings. Fortunately for the franchise they were able to snag Danny Granger in the second wave of signings. Still, Pacers fans have to be nervous about wasting away precious years of D-Will's prime."

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Bucks Are Back?

"...It's been a long time since we could say that, but it looks like GM Ian Quailmen decided to throw his hat in the Central Division ring. But they are looking at a relatively new squad with Boozer, Livingston, and Porter all commanding major minutes. They better hope they can figure it out since they traded their own pick this off-season."

Charlotte Observer
Buzzed

"...You know that feeling when you've had 3 or 4 beers and you are feeling real good and your buddy is pouring you #5 that you know will be the one that has you hanging over the toilet in the morning... but you drink it anyway. Welcome to Hornets 2013-14 Off-season. Lots of flashy signings in Gortat and Dwayne Wade, head scratcher signing like Thaddeus Young, and an interesting trade for Ryan Anderson. When they looked to be heading in the rebuild direction and swerved back into the playoff race lanes, I don't know what to expect anymore... but I'll definitely have that 5th beer please."

Toronto Star
WE THE BOSH

"...What a whirlwind of an off-season. Fall out of the lotto to #4 and feeling forced to pick BPA aka another center... to trading winning in the future away for MVP Chris Bosh and star point guard Kyle Lowry. Then signing Monta Ellis. Instant contender for not only the Central but for the Eastern Conference as well!"

[LoCo89]

Oh thank god. I thought this was Ded like the What If article you started


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NickMalone77]

Charlotte will never let go.

[IamQuailman]

Charlotte will never let go.

They are bitter.

[JNR]

And the Midwest:

Dallas Observer
Mountains for Mole-Hill

"The team clearly thinks they're ready to make the leap now, or else why would they send this year's pick as well as 2016 for a 27 year old point guard? It's always confusing when a team makes a win-now trade when and they don't appear ready to win now. But Dallas has shocked us before, and perhaps they'll do so again."

The Denver Post
You and What Army?

"Sure, the starting 5 of Rondo, Klay Thompson, Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire and Kendrick Perkins looks intimidating. But basketball is a game of benches, and right now Denver's bench is looking like their title chances -- non-existent. It seems like trading is the only way to fix this roster issue."

Houston Chronicle
Ready for Takeoff?

"...there's no doubt that the Rockets had one of their most successful free agency periods in recent memory. Not only did they keep young stud Ty Lawson, but they added veterans Stephen Jackson and Richard Hamilton to the fold. Will it make a difference in the Midwest? Who knows, but it's a start."

La Résistance De Van Memphis, Vancouver Branch
Waiting in the Wings

"Much has been made about the overabundance of wings in Milwaukee, but the Grizzlies have an interesting logjam now that they acquired Tony Allen to suit up next to Leonard and Butler. All three are defensive minded, but will the offense be enough to propel them into the playoffs? If Drummond continues his improvement, the answer is pretty firmly 'yes'."

Star Tribune
Third Time Still a Charm?

"...let's review the history of the Wolves. They lose Drexler and luck into Webber and Hill. They lose Hill and luck into Chris Bosh. They lose Bosh...will they once again ride their luck into a great player in the 2014 draft? Looking at their current roster, it's pretty much their only hope if they want to contend again."

San Antonio Express News
The 153 Million Dollar Man

"...The Spurs now are the proud possessor of the highest contract in PBSL history. They find themselves $16M over the cap with several holes in the roster, including starting SF and backup SG. The city and the organization owes Josh Smith a lot for his heroics in the Finals two years ago. But do they owe him this much?"

Salt Lake Tribune
Following the Model

"They say that good artists create and great artists steal. And in order to be great artists in the PBSL, the Jazz are going to need to copy the Clippers' formula for how to build around a dominant small forward. Paul George has to potential to be a Kevin Durant-lite, and it appears the Jazz are intent on building around him like the Clippers did. With Rubio, CJ, and Jonas in tow, they might be able to recreate the miracle turnaround in LA."

[NickMalone77]

Thank you for your media contribution Raby & Doug. Here's both +5 for your article.

[IamQuailman]

Thank you Nick

[JNR]

Thanks Nick!

[RPF]

Not too subtle on that shade quailman

[IamQuailman]

Not too subtle on that shade quailman

Blame those asshole writers outta Jersey man!

[RPF]

oh im not talking about NJ