Now that the most anticipated summer in sports history is all but history, lets sit back and see who the winners and losers are...
Winners
1. Miami Heat: The most obvious of all, the Miami Heat were able to pull in the greatest off season acquisitions in the history of any sport. Reeling in LeBron James, Chris Bosh and retaining Dwyane Wade, all in their prime i might add, has to be the crowning jewel of Pat Riley's illustrious career. Not to mention they also brought in Mike Miller, and Eddie House couple of L's best shooters, and and a decent collection of big men to protect the rim and battle Dwight and Gasol in their play off run.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: The Lake Show have been the second biggest winners in this summer, and that's before they got Matt Barnes. For a team that went 57-25, and 35-17 in the west, they got better and their competition left the conference. Their rival for the last few years, the Phoenix Suns, lost their high scorer and the once 6Th man of the year. Their team leader, Steve Nash, is on the back end of a great career, and for the first time is his career, doesn't have a great player to run with. The Jazz, losing their top post presence and their best shooter. The Lake Show should win 60 plus due to just lack of competition.
3. Milwaukee Bucks: Fear the Deer for the 2010-2011 season. Resigning John Salmons and adding Drew Gooden, Corey Maggette, and drafting Larry Sanders, they have turned themselves into a true contender in the east. A true star at the point guard and center, they have the 1-2 punch and real good role players to fill in.
4. Dallas Mavericks: They make the top 5 for almost the same reasons the Lake Show do. Less competition in the West and one major addition. Adding Tyson Chandler is what this team has been missing for years. Toughness. Not to mention Retaining the best player ever to suit up for Dallas.
5. Chicago Bulls: Although they didn't get their main target, they got some good pieces to fill out a team that was already pretty good. Adding Carlos Boozer who only scores and grabs boards, and a Kyle Korver who can light it up from anywhere makes them a complete teams. With Rose running point, Boozer and Noah controlling the blocks and Korver shooting from half court, this team should be a tough out for anybody.
Losers
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: The obvious choice, considering they lost a once in a generation sports figure and replaced him with....Christian Eyenga? Good luck going to battle with with Mo Williams and Anthony Parker. I picked them number 1 losers also because of how their team owner acted following James departure, is almost sure to scare off any potential big name free agents for the future.
2. New Jersey Nets: This might be a little high considering this team only won 12 games last year. But regardless, when you go from potentially signing LeBron James to signing Travis Outlaw, takes your summer a few notches down. Still have a pretty good and more importantly, young core of players the future looks bright. 3-4 years into the future that is.
3. Toronto Raptors: Losing your franchise all team leading scorer and rebounder is never a good thing. But to replace him with a underachiever at the college level isn't a real good idea either. Also to trade away your big free agent you just got the summer before too and your lone only real scoring threat constitutes as a real bad summer. Looks like they're going for Harrison Barnes next years draft.
4. Atlanta Hawks: In this summer of big time moves, if your standing still, your in essence falling behind. The Hawks gave Joe Johnson a $120 million dollar contract, while Forbes estimated that the total worth of the franchise was $306 million. Think about that. Joe Johnson is literally 39% of the entire hawks franchise. Joe Johnson. Also not adding a post presence to go along with Horford is a major disappointment due to the big men the East has.
5. New York Knickerbockers: I was very hesitant to put this team in the top 5, but after 2 1/2 years of preparation to get LeBron and not getting him propels them into the top 5. First off, this team is a playoff team. Adding Amar'e, Felton, Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf and drafting Andy Rautins this team now has the players that fit D'Antonie's system perfectly. But they were almost a guarantee to get two max players in this summer. They were supposed to be the big fish this off season, but they fell dramatically short. Plan B looks do-able...for now.
