The D-Dobbs Basketball Blog

With the five worst moves of the summer already covered, here’s a Top-10 breakdown of the biggest winners of this NBA off-season. The list is in order from “thank god we resigned Joe Johnson” to “we are now serious title contenders.” Who sweeps away the competition and lands the #1 move of the summer?

10. Joe Johnson

Consider him the luckiest man alive, signing a 6-year, $123 million extension with the Atlanta Hawks. He is the highest signed free-agent this summer as his contract is over $20 million more than LeBron James’, and over $25 million more than Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh’s. Without Johnson resigning, Atlanta would be a black hole for basketball…but $123 million for a 30-year old shooting guard who can’t carry a team out of the second round of the playoffs? Come on, the guy is no Kobe Bryant. Johnson better be counting his blessings for this max-out contract deal.

9. New York Knicks

Losing their big-time player David Lee, the Knicks managed to sign an upgrade in Amare Stoudemire. Although he is no LeBron James, Carmelo Anothny, or Chris Paul, this will certainly improve the quality of basketball in the city for the next couple years. They also upgraded at the point-guard position, signing Raymond Felton. Who knows, by the time July 2011 comes rolling around, they could sign ‘Melo. Potential bright future for the Knicks, above average off-season. They’ll just miss the 2011 Playoffs, but have a safe spot in the spring of 2012.

09-10 record: 29-53, Projected 10-11 record: 40-42

Projected starting lineup:

PG Raymond Felton

SG Bill Walker

SF Danilo Galinari

PF Amare Stoudemire

C Ronny Turiaf

8. Washington Wizards

Although they lost Mike Miller, Randy Foye and Shaun Livingston, there is hope in the city of Washington! This October, John Wall and Gilbert Arenas will take the court together, forming a “Batman/Robin” type backcourt. They also signed gutsy-veteran Kirk Hinrich who could be a possible 6^th-Man-of-the-Year Candidate. And if you thought they were weak in the big-man department, think again. Center Javale McGee, the two-year player out of Nevada, has literally erupted out of nowhere in the Summer League and during Team USA training camp, where he could land a spot representing our country. This franchise will slowly turn around. Oh and one more thing, ladies and gentlemen, Gilbert Arenas is back.

09-10 record: 26-56, Projected 10-11 record: 31-51

Projected starting lineup:

PG John Wall

SG Gilbert Arenas

SFAl Thornton

PF Andre Blatche

C Javale McGee

7. Boston Celtics

Not the best moves this off-season, but enough to keep them in contention of an NBA Championship for the next couple of seasons. They managed to land All-Star free-agent Jermaine O’Neal, as well as resigning Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, keeping the Big Three intact. Need I go into depth on how valuable these two players are for the Celtics? I think not. They also had a pretty solid draft, snagging point guard Avery Bradley out of Texas, as well as the defensive stalwart out of Notre Dame, Luke Harangody (hopefully replaces 6-time award winner for Hands Down Worst Player in the NBA, Brian Scalabrine). Don’t be surprised if they reach the finals again this year, it’ll be a tough task, but definitely possible.

09-10 record: 50-32, Projected 10-11 record: 52-30

Projected starting lineup:

PG Rajon Rondo

SG Ray Allen

SF Paul Pierce

PF Kevin Garnett

C Jermaine O’Neal

6. Utah Jazz

The Jazz did about the best job this off-season in replacing their key losses. They lost Carlos Boozer, whom they signed Al Jefferson to replace, and they lost Wes Matthews, signing Raja Bell to replace their former shooting guard. Al Jefferson could potentially put up better numbers day in and day out than Boozer did in Utah, which could get them a few more wins. They will still be a strong playoff contender in the West.

09-10 record: 53-29, Projected 10-11 record: 54-28

Projected starting lineup:

PG Deron Williams

SG CJ Miles

SF Andrei Kirilenko

PF Al Jefferson

C Mehmet Okur

5. Sacremento Kings

Hats off to the Kings for winning the “We Somehow Escaped the Draft Secretly  Snagging the Best Pick” Award. California, meet DeMarcus Cousins, your savior. He will revive basketball in Sacramento to potentially the Bibby-Christie-Stojakovic-Webber-Divac Days. The Kings also signed center Samuel Dalembert, making their front court officially the most intimidating in the NBA. Also, with guard and reigning Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans maturing, things will only get better for Sacramento. I refuse to get off my high horse about Cousins, he will win Rookie of the Year and Sacramento will make the playoffs (due to a slight weakening in the Western Conference).

09-10 record: 25-57, Projected 10-11 record: 48-34

Projected starting lineup:

PG Tyreke Evans

SG Francisco Garcia
SF Omri Casspi

PF DeMarcus Cousins

C Samuel Dalembert

4. Chicago Bulls

For a team that failed to land LeBron, D-Wade, or Bosh, they turned out to have one of the best off-seasons thusfar. They made key improvements, and could make a much deeper run in the playoffs than before. They lacked a real big-man; they signed Carlos Boozer, they lacked perimeter shooting; they signed Kyle Korver, they lacked that “Super-Star Charisma”; they signed Tracy McGrady (almost done). They also signed defensive mastermind Tom Thodaeu as their new Head Coach. The pieces to this puzzle fit almost too perfectly. This is one of the few teams in the NBA that can counter-act Miami’s three-headed-monster. They should finish somewhere in the top four of the Eastern Conference.

09-10 record: 41-41, Projected 10-11 record: 48-34

Projected starting lineup:

PG Derrick Rose

SG Kyle Korver

SF Luol Deng

PF Carlos Boozer

C Joakim Noah

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

Even though they weren’t the talk of the summer, like the Heat, Knicks, Cavs, Lakers, or Bulls, the Thunder can thank Mr. Kevin Durant, for just about everything. This summer he signed a five-year contract extension, showing his devotion and loyalty to his team. Coming off a shocking season, where they battled Kobe and the Lakers in a 6 game series in the playoffs, the Thunder have improved immensely in maturity. Point guard Russell Westbrook is looking to lead team USA this summer in the FIBA tournament and Durant is the star of the team. Bold prediction here, but with the subtle moves this off-season, the Thunder will soar to the top-three in the Western Conference with an evening more shocking season. Since LeBron isn’t a one man show anymore, this means the 2010-2011 NBA MVP will be Kevin Durant (who will also be the scoring champion for a second time, at age 22).

09-10 record: 50-32, Projected 10-11 record: 56-26

Projected starting lineup:

PG Russell Westbrook

SG James Harden

SF Kevin Durant

PF Jeff Green

C Nenad Krstic

2. Los Angeles Lakers

No superstars are heading for Hollywood, but the back-to-back NBA Champions strengthened their championship caliber team as they resigned point guard Derek Fisher, and also replaced Jordan Farmar with veteran point guard Steve Blake. The organization also got one last year out of legendary coach Phil Jackson. They are one of three times I believe that can contend for the Championship this year. Kobe couldn’t care less about what’s going on in South Beach. He will destroy anything that comes in his way. This starting five will be remembered for a very long time.

09-10 record: 57-25, Projected 10-11 record: 56-26

Projected starting lineup:

PG Derek Fisher

SG Kobe Bryant

SF Ron Artest

PF Pau Gasol

C Andrew Bynum

1. Miami Heat

The winners. This much hated “super-team” will not dissapoint this season, as they should come out with the leagues best record. They may not win the title this year due to figuring out the team chemistry, but they will win three out of the next six titles. Miami Heat. Los Angeles Lakers. 2011 NBA Finals. Seven game series. Book it.

09-10 record: 47-35, Projected 10-11 record: 65-17

Projected starting lineup:

PG Mario Chalmers

SG Dwyane Wade

SF LeBron James

PF Chris Bosh

C Zydrunas Ilgauskus

This summer has been one of the craziest for off-season moves thus far in the NBA. College phenomenon John Wall was selected first overall in the draft, LeBron James left Cleveland to form a “three-headed-monster-super-team” in Miami, Chris Paul is looking to get out of New Orleans, the Golden State Warriors get a new owner, players are bracing for a 2011 lockout, and superstar veterans like Shaq, Allen Iverson, and Tracy McGrady have yet to find a team.

There have been beneficial decisions, questionable decisions, and decisions that still need to be made in the upcoming weeks, but here are the five biggest losers of the 2010 off-season (in order from “there goes 15 wins next season” to “wow we really screwed this franchise over for years to come”).

5. Dallas Mavericks

Although they were able to trade for Tyson Chandler, solidifying their front court with Dirk Nowitzki and Erik Dampier who both resigned their contracts, this move in no way helps their quest for a championship. Chandler is a 12^th man for an All-Star team at best, and Dirk and Jason Kidd are only getting older. Not the right move for Big D this summer. They needexplosive, young guards to fuel this team of veterans in order to get to Championship caliber. (hint hint Devin Harris-nice move Mark Cuban).

09-10 record: 55-27, Projected 10-11 record: 48-34

Projected starting lineup:

PG Jason Kidd

SG Caron Butler

SF Shawn Marion

PF Dirk Nowitzki

C Tyson Chandler

4. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors not only lost arguably the best and most athletic pure big-man in the entire NBA in Chris Bosh, but they also lost one of the best role players in Hedo Turkoglu. They missed making the playoffs last year by one game, and losing their two best players will hurt them immensely.

09-10 record: 40-42, Projected 10-11 record: 29-53

Projected starting lineup:

PG Jose Calderon

SG Leandro Barbosa

SF Demar Derozan

PF Amir Johnson

C Andrea Bargnani

3. New Jersey Nets

Classic Nets. After their near-record breaking record of 12-70, their misfortune continued when they failed to land the number one overall pick in the draft. They got the third pick, and messed it up by drafting Georgia Tech freshman power-forward Derrick Favors. They passed up on Wesley Johnson, and Xavier Henry, two shooting guards which should have been at the top of their to-do list. Even drafting a big-man they passed up on arguably the best player out of the draft in DeMarcus Cousins. Favors is unproven. New Jersey also failed to land any of the top free agents. Newsflash: Self-made multi-billionaires who can’t type or don’t use e-mail, does not help a declining NBA franchise.

09-10 record: 12-70, Projected 10-11 record: 19-63

Projected starting lineup:

PG Devin Harris

SG Courtney Lee

SF Terrence Williams

PF Derrick Favors

C Brook Lopez

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

Hands down the worst decision in NBA history was made this July when T-Wolves General Manager David Kahn signed THE biggest bust in NBA history; Darko Milicic. They inked him to a five-year deal, and Kahn was quoted comparing him to Chris Webber and Vlade Divac. Milicic was drafted second overall in the 2003 draft, after LeBron James, and drafted before Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Kaman, and Kirk Hinrich. He has career averages of 5 ppg and 4 rpg. If there was an award for Worst GM Who Never Ceases to Hurt a Team, David Kahn would have three-peated by now. He is also responsible for screwing up the Ricky Rubio deal, and getting rid of Kevin Garnett. In the famous words of Bill Simmons: KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHN!!!!!!!!

The Man, The Myth, The Legend

09-10 record: 15-67, Projected 10-11 record: 18-64

Projected starting lineup:

PG Johnny Flynn

SG Wesley Johnson

SF Corey Brewer

PF Kevin Love

C Darko Milicic (haha)

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

We are all witnesses. To the biggest turnaround in NBA franchise history since LeBron was drafted in 2003. After losing their home town hero, and the best athlete they will ever have in the history of Cleveland sports, the Cavs will plummet to the bottom of the Eastern Conference as they also failed to resign big-men Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Shaquille O’Neal. This is a heartbreaker for Cleveland, going from an NBA powerhouse to a 20-30 win team for years to come. Nothing will ever be more damaging to a sports franchise than what happened to Cleveland this summer.

09-10 record: 61-21, Projected 10-11 record: 30-52

Projected starting lineup:

PG Mo Williams

SG Anthony Parker

SF Antawn Jamison

PF Anderson Varejao

C JJ Hickson

Sign in which he wrote: Goofy

In the 2010 Vegas Summer League, 19-year-old Demarcus Cousins was a man among boys. Although it is only the Summer

League, he proved himself to be a deadly threat amongst the rest of the young-guns in the rookie class.

Cousins, out of the University of Kentucky was selected fifth overall in this year’s NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. This was a highly questioned pick as some thought he could go second overall, but most thought his immaturity and personality would drop him towards the second round. Being one full year removed from high school, most consider him a regular immature kid trapped in a GIANTS body.

He has proved his doubters wrong in this years Summer League, being the offensive and defensive catalyst for his team. He is displaying assets of his game that no one imagined he would have, being the extremely immature 19-year old that he is. He not only has been scoring in the low post effectively, but he has been able to show his range around the perimeter, make flashy and instinctive passes, and display his underrated footwork.

To quote Detroit Pistons team president Joe Dumars, “Demarcus Cousins has unlimited potential.”

Through the six summer league games, he lead the Kings in almost every stat category. Points (16 per game), rebounds (11 per game), steals (1.6 per game), minutes (30 per game), and personal fouls belong to him (5.4 per game-Summer League allows 10). The ones he doesn’t lead; blocks (1.2 per game) and assists (2.2 per game), he is second on the team.

His heroics started when he debuted against the Detroit Pistons for 14 points and 10 rebounds. The next day, against the Lakers he had 19 points and 12 rebounds.

The next day, he put on a show and exploded against the Minnesota Timberwolves for 22 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and the game winning shot. The big boy called for it in crunch time, and delivered.

His streak of double-doubles would continue against the Toronto Raptors finishing with 16 points and 12 boards in the Kings first loss. Against the Chicago Bulls, he had 10 points and 7 rebounds in a one point victory. In the sixth and final game of the Summer League, Cousins played well below his potential, scoring only 6 points, and grabbing only 6 rebounds. He also went 1-12 from the floor which was a surprise to many. One thing he will need to work on his not letting performances andshooting slumps like these get to his head and effect him, which is common in all rookies and young inexperienced players.

Cousins was also recently named the 2010 Vegas Summer League Top Rookie. His partner in crime at Kentucky, John Wall (averaging a league high 23.5 points per game and nearly 8 assists per game), was named 2010 Summer League Most Outstanding Player.

He may not be able to drink or gamble, but this kid will win rookie of the year and with reigning rookie of the year Tyreke Evans at his side, the Kings could turn out to be a .500 team and possibly sneak into the playoffs as the eight-seed. He will be a dominant force down low all year, probably averaging around a 15 and 10 all year. DeMarcus Cousins is the real deal.

Matt Janning.

Who?

Exactly.

Standing 6’4’’, this slim shooting-guard is making the most out of his post-graduate summer. Janning played four years at Northeastern University, where he averaged 15 points per game his senior year.

Before this summer he was only a local celebrity, known mostly just around the Boston area, and no where else. He is quickly making a name for himself as an un-drafted player trying to make an NBA roster.

The past few weeks his game has intrigued the likes of many scouts, coaches, general managers and players. Trying to prove he can play at the highest level, Janning had a short stint in the Orlando Summer League with the Boston Celtics, where he averaged 11.5 points per game and 5 rebounds per game over two games. He then got an opportunity with the Phoenix Suns in the Vegas Summer League, playing along side Scottie Reynolds, Gavin Edwards, Taylor Griffin, and Marcus Johnson to name a few. Playing for Phoenix, he averaged 10 points per game and 6 rebounds per game. All eyes were on Janning when he lead the team in scoring with 22 on 9-14 shooting against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 93-82 loss on July 14^th.

This hardworking young guard who has a great feel for the game, got offers to come back and join the Celtics and Suns in the fall for their training camp.

Keep an eye out for him towards the start of the season, he could be filling out a roster and playing with the big boys. If he does not make a roster, he WILL be playing overseas professionally or in the D-League. Gotta love the small town heroes making it big.

Comparison: Hybrid Jon Scheyer/Gordon Hayward