5 on 5 Post Trade Edition

[ballsohard]

Welcome to another edition of 5 on 5, we have 5 panelist plus a bonus like last time to answer some questions i came up with. Below are our panelist, Enjoy:

Nick Melon, Charlotte Observer: NickMalone
Bick Dutkus from Wyoming Tribune Eagle: Eazy
Al Scramuzza, Seafood City: RPF
Prepp, Chicago Bulls: Prepp
Dr. Rocker, Cleveland Rocker: 42Phd
Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: Iamquailman

1. We’re past the half way point of the season, what is the most compelling storyline going into the back half of the season?

Nick Melon, Charlotte Observer: I think the most interesting storyline is how the Pacific will shake out. The Lakers have had a Tongan death grip on the entire division for the majority of the season with KG but they have challengers coming at them every night unless the name is Clippers or Suns. All are legit threats I think from Portland with Shaq to Seattle and Donyelle, Jackson and Zo. Even you can never count out the Golden State Kemps. I think all of them have a shot to win the division but will the Lakers stifling defense find a crack? I'm not sure that it will.

Bick Dutkus from Wyoming Tribune Eagle: How will the Raptors do now that Chauncey is out for a while? Will they still be able to compete with the likes of the Hawks and now the Hornets who made some good moves to put themselves in position to compete with the Hawks and Raptors? Soundwave is a great GM and his skills will be tested now that his PG is sidelined for a minute.

Al Scramuzza, Seafood City: I think the biggest story of this season so far is how many teams are tanking in the eastern conference. I dont know if they are afraid of the Hawks but someone has to get some balls and compete out there. To make matter worse, they are shipping the talent to the western conference. Whoever makes it out the west will be battle tested but may be weaker with injuries.

Prepp, Chicago Bulls: Boring answer......but to me its the battle between the Raptors and Hawks in the Central to see who will come out on top in the end. I think both are very strong teams who have put everything into winning near term. Unfortunately with Chauncey Billups going down that's going to impact the Raptors team pretty negatively. The Hawks need to be praying they don't get bit by the same bug the remainder of the season. Either way both will have there work cut out for them getting through the defense of the Lakers in the West for a championship.

Dr. Rocker, Cleveland Rocker:The most compelling storylines have to be pretty WIGGING compelling if they're not about the title. In this case, it's about the title. Of all the candidates . . . the Hawks trying to repeat, the Lakers challenging them while under the cap, the Raptors losing Billups, the ever-growing push from Charlotte . . . the biggest story is out of Seattle. A title-winning GM swings comes to a dead-in-the-water team, mortgages the future in an instant, and creates a title-contender. To date, they have not played the Hawks, and their first content will feature Seattle with a man down.

Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: The most compelling storyline... from a league perspective, the race for the west, specifically the Pacific. It's a heated race and lots of teams clawing for the crown. Will the Lakers continue their defensive dominance, or will the increasingly talented Supersonics catch them? Or is the rest of the league sleeping on the Trailblazers.

Can Seattle win it all after being the worst team in the league last season?


2. Currently 3 of the top 5 picks are from other teams, what’s your biggest takeaway from that?

Nick Melon, Charlotte Observer: I think the biggest thing is newer GMs failing to understand the value of their club before the season starts. If you don't have those 2-3 Key pieces that you know are going to dominante and win you games, then it's like, why would you give up your own draft pick to help out another team draft their star of tomorrow? If you do trade away your pick, then I would do everything in my power to be as successful as my team can be.

Bick Dutkus from Wyoming Tribune Eagle: I think some teams were trying to win seasons prior to this year not knowing there 2002 season would end up being a lotto team. Some picks were acquired during secondary trades too. I think by people seeing this draft not being as deep as 03 they were willing to move their 02 1st.

Al Scramuzza, Seafood City: It seems that teams thought that they could make moves to win while teams where taking the year off but they didnt make the RIGHT moves. It also shows how poorly some GMs scout talent in this league and I think thats where you go from good GMs to great GMs. You have to know what pieces fit where not just throw shit to the wall and see if it sticks.

Prepp, Chicago Bulls: I think each GM values picks differently obviously. That value is likely tied to several factors like the quality and depth of the draft class, their team goals, and the market value of the pick. I think likely that those picks were dealt with the realization that the 02 draft class is very top heavy. With such a weak class GM's may have felt they could get better value for the picks by trading them than chancing the lottery on such a weak draft class. Now if you traded your pick away and didn't make your team any better and still are not being competitive then that's just flat out bad management.

Dr. Rocker, Cleveland Rocker: There are a few ways to read this, but I think it means that people are just not impressed with this draft class. There are really about 3 drool-worthy picks, only one of whom is ready to contribute significantly immediately, and none of the are organ-worthy like a McGrady.

Not all drafts are created equally.


Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: As a supporter for one of the teams in the bottom 5 that has their own pick, it's unfathomable that a team would tank their brains out without owning their own pick. Personally, if I was a GM and didn't own my own pick, I would go out of my way to ensure that my pick is NOT in the lottery, much worse the top 5. At least, 1 of the teams that doesn't have their pick is trying to win. 2 others are working their best to gift wrap a divisional foe a top 5, possibly franchise changing, pick. Again, if it was me, I'd quit before giving the Hawks or Raptors or Pistons a pick like that.

3. Can anyone beat Atlanta in a playoff series? Does their dominance take fun out of the league?

Nick Melon, Charlotte Observer: The Hawks are that insurmountable mountain that I think the teams in the Eastern Conference that are merely excited to defeat the Hawks in the regular season. The Hawks have that vet nucleus and young guys like Ben Wallace and McDyess I think are clearly the best team in the league and are the defending champions for a reason. I think before the Billips injury, that Toronto probably could have presented the toughest challenge to Atlanta. Maybe just maybe Charlotte if they could throw out their A game but that's difficult to do for a 7 game series. To get to that point I think gives everyone enough drive and joy to make it to the top and be in the NBA finals or else, why be in it?

Bick Dutkus from Wyoming Tribune Eagle: Yeah I think they can be beat but only if they have 3 major injuries at the start of the playoffs.
As far as their dominance yeah it kinda takes the fun out of the league but it's not his fault that teams were cray and trading him Stars to build that stacked team. They have a superteam and can be anyone. I think that has played a part in teams tanking trying to build a team that can compete once those hawks stars start declining.

Al Scramuzza, Seafood City: Short answer, anyone can be beat. I dont think it will happen without a major injury to his team. I mean you only have 2 other teams in the East with winning records. The Raptors are having a fantastic season and thats being forgotten because of how dominate the Hawks are. The Hornets are well.....the Hornets. I fully expect the Hawks will represent the Eastern Conference in the finals this season.

Yes it does take the fun out of the East with it almost being a lock for them to make it to the finals. The entire Eastern Conference should be ashamed and grow some balls(no pun intended)

Prepp, Chicago Bulls: Yes and Yes. I do think they can be beat in a series especially if the unfortunate happens and they suffer an injury to an impact player.

I also believe that a their dominance is a hindrance to the league. I prefer a more balanced and competitive league. I think that makes for a much better atmosphere when GM's feel they have a legit chance at a title. Of course there is a lot more to that answer but overall, I do feel more parity in the league is beneficial to the league as a whole.
I am interested to see how long ATL can keep that team together. But with all of the bottom feeders helping them out via trades and sending them points it will make them a force for a long time. I commend them on building such a talented roster but the fact that teams will likely continue to give them assets to keep that team together blows my mind. But that's another topic altogether.

Dr. Rocker, Cleveland Rocker: The Lakers. The Lakers have the defense slow the offense (maybe) and certainly can attack the Hawk's main weakness, which is their offensive rebounding. The Lakers aren't good from the line, but the Hawk's are a little worse. No one is favored against the Hawks, but the Lakers can put up a good show at a minimum.

Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: It's really a shame about the Raptors losing Billups for a few months. I had them as a dark horse to win the East. His team is still very talented and will be tough to beat despite the injury, but losing Chauncey could be too much to beat the Hawks. I think that there are a few teams in the West that can give the Hawks fits. The question is will one of those teams make it to the the finals where they could possibly meet the Hawks.


As for taking the fun out, I think it definitely had something to do with the East being a giant suck vortex. Teams saw a good few years of drafts coming up and the Hawks' dominance arching over those years. So if you can't win it, why bother trying? I can understand the sentiment, but I think that this is not a long term problem.


4. With the advisement colors changing rapidly throughout the season, do you think GMs will start emphasizing stats and rating more than the high level colors?

Nick Melon, Charlotte Observer: I would hope most GMs looked at the talent they want to sign or bring into their club and looked at the strengths and weaknesses of that player on the stats. The colors are just a standard category and should not be a determinative factor in deciding whether that player would best fit with their club. I also just think the Colors are a pretty thing to look at.

Bick Dutkus from Wyoming Tribune Eagle: I think it depends on the Gm. Some Gm's fall in love with those colors, some with stats or some look at both. I really think if those colors weren't apart of the origin of this league GMs would've been emphasized stats and ratings.

Al Scramuzza, Seafood City: In my opinion, if you are just now starting that you are a shitty GM. Colors are meant to be a quick glance but nothing to solely build your team on. I mean look at the Spurs every season, they have all the pretty colors and still end up fighting for an 8th seed. So do your scouting and research GMs.

Prepp, Chicago Bulls: I think most already do when looking at trade targets and the rest will have to if they want to be competitive.

Dr. Rocker, Cleveland Rocker: No. The colors are simply summary of complicated information but are coarse. They came from an apparently opaque algorithm before and that has not changed. Simple works for management in most cases, as analysis paralysis is a real thing. Toffler addressed information overload in the early 70's, and the term is still very relevant today in society and in the league.

Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: In theory, you would think the importance of stats and ratings would grow, but i find even myself falling victim to calling a player by color rating. But i do think the GMs who can overlook those colors for ratings, stats, etc. can differentiate themselves from the rest.

5. Nuggets, Rockets, Cavs, Suns and Knicks have been bad for years. Which one will be the first to break out of the cellar and why?

Nick Melon, Charlotte Observer: I wanna say it's between the Suns and Cavs. Both organizations finally have smart and dedicated GMs that want to improve the balance of their club. I think both will eventually rise up from the pack as opposed to the other clubs who will probably be in the toilet for the next few years.

Bick Dutkus from Wyoming Tribune Eagle: Can I say none LOL.....just kidding. If I had a choice I would say Cavs. With the direction the East is heading they should be able to make a playoff run next season. Their team is nice. I think their GM being his 1st time at this game is the reason they are in the cellar this year but once he get the hang of this game I think he will be in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.

Al Scramuzza, Seafood City: 3 of the 5 have new GMs, so there is hope. Lets go through the teams here, Knicks - Dbag GM that will stop at nothing to get a deal done. Rockets - Known to have difficulty in surrounding his stars with talent. Suns - A GM that was once burnt out, now has the itch again but does he have the passion? Nuggets - Just fire sales all around, I dont really think he has a plan in place. Cavs - The new GM is trying, I give him credit for making the team over but just doesnt have the skills yet. With all that being said, I'll go with the Suns because of experience and has a better team in place at the moment.

Prepp, Chicago Bulls: I like a few of the teams for different reasons. It all depends which one makes that high impact signing , favorable trade, or lucks out in the draft.

I like the Rockets because Big Z is a great piece to build onto. Jason Richard is a nice young scorer that will improve as the teams is built and they only have one big contract going into next year. They also retain all of their picks. If they can hit in FA and in the draft they will be a solid young team going forward.

I like the Suns young talent but they are still at the bottom of their division and have a difficult cap situation going forward. If they were able to land a pick in the top 2 this year it could give them a boost to start winning some games. They could also go the route of trading some of their younger assets for better talent. We will have to wait and see how they go about it and how it works out.

The last team I like is the Cavs. GM 42 made significant moves this year to improve his team and has stated that he is still working out the roster and willing to trade young talent Michael Redd for the right offer. If the right deal comes across his table the Cavs could be competing sooner rather than later.

Out of these 3 I like the Rockets by a slither. But it could go anyway really depending on how the cards fall for these 3 teams going forward.

Dr. Rocker, Cleveland Rocker: Suns. The Suns and the Cavs are the only teams with a recent change of management, so they are the only ones on the list one can reasonable expect a change from. Both the Suns and Cavs have assets to play next season but the Suns GM is more experienced than the one in Cleveland, plus Cleveland is on record as planning a push in a few years, not now.

Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: Thats an interesting question. While it's easy to dump on each team, you really need to look at the moves that brought them where they are. The Nuggets gave up on the future for winning now seasons back, and its coming back to haunt them, as their plan to sign good vets and trade them for decent assets / compete didn't work out. The Rockets suck, but they have all their picks and control their whole destiny. If they were smart they would sell high on Big Z and get as much as they can for him while his value is as high as ever; he just doesn't fit the future plans for the Rockets. The Cavs made some bold moves acquiring older vets for 2 of their own draft picks. The question is that was this move made too late? Is the whole too deep to dig out of with only a month left on the season's calendar. The Suns i think may be the ones that can rise out from the cellar the fastest. If you look at their team, they really do have a good foundation, and keep getting younger. Perhaps GMessi's return is the good luck charm the suns needed. Lastly, the Knicks... same? They trade away Jason Terry for a potential lotto pick and then give up their only 2 other player assets for 2 very probable lotto picks. Those moves are good I guess? But they continue to suck and not even try to prevent division foe Celtics from getting the likes of Amare or Yao.

To answer the question, Im going to go with the Suns.

[ballsohard]

Please feel free to discuss, prod our panelist, or answer these questions yourself!

[coltsguy510]

6 on 6

[IamQuailman]

ALL PARTICIPANTS AWARDED 5 POINTS! THANKS FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION!

[IamQuailman]

Also, great stuff. I love me some cheap/passive aggressive shots (hay Nick and RPF) lol

[Inner_GI]

hai

[IamQuailman]

hai

How many bullet holes did nick put in you with all those shots?

[Inner_GI]

hai

How many bullet holes did nick put in you with all those shots?

He just mad I didn't trade JO for Allan Houston back in the day.

[NOLa.]

Doug all like I KEEP IN FALLIN

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