Atlanta Hawks
Fist they traded for all star caliber Abdur-Rahim, but they also were able to hang onto their best free agent(Nazr Muhommad)add that to getting a healthy
Theo Ratliff back and this team will be contending for a playoff birth.
Grade: A-
Boston Celtics
The Celtics were very quiet this summer, due in large part because they had very little salary cap space. They were however able to sign the great Paul Pierce to an extensionand had a very solid draft with three #1 picks.
Grade: C+
Charlotte Hornets
Losing Eddie Robinson was expected, but it will seriously hurt their bench. Adding Bryce Drew, Stacy Augmon, and Matt Bullard are little pieces to the puzzle, but unfortunately they needed to add a big piece to the puzzle.
Grade: D+
Cleveland Cavs
The Cavs made a very risky pick when they took Diop with the 8th pick in round 1, with both Rodney White and Joe Johnson on the table. They did acquire Tyrone Hill in a trade,and pickup up Bryant Stith, but once again
will be looking at another long season.
Grade: C
Chicago Bulls
Yet another suspect off season for Jerry Krause. First, they trade their best player(Brand) for their second high schooler of the draft, then when you think there gonna rebuildwith all youngsters, they go out and trade for Greg Anthony and Charles Oakley, but the Eddie Robinson signing was nice.
Grade: C
Detroit Pistons
They hung in the Webber sweepstakes throughout his decision making process, but in the end they lost out. They did acquire Cliff Robinson from the Suns for 2 bench players and also drafted who many think was the best player in the entire draft(White) but yet again missed out on the impact player they were looking for, but at least finally added some big men, (Rebraca and Varda) and still have money left to improve their guard position.
Grade: B
Indiana Pacers
Well the Pacers were about as quiet as a team can be in the off season. They did go hard after C-WEB, but lost out. Fact is, without making any changes
this team will once again will be a bubble team for the playoffs.
Grade: Inc
Miami Heat
The Heat did about as much as a cap strapped team could do. They added a couple of descent players(Gill, Ellis) and are now counting on Anthony Carter to be their starting PG since Timmy Hardaway is as good as gone.
Grade: C+
Milwaukee Bucks
Also were very quiet. The Bucks have as good a trio as anyone( Cassell, llen, Big Dog), but the fact remains until they get a big man that is capable of doing anything, no offense to Scott Williams and Ervin Johnson, they wont have a shot at a title.
Grade: D+
New Jersey Nets
The Nets made a very bold move in trading for Kidd, who will bring great stability to a team that lacked stability when Marbury was running the show. Getting Todd MacCullouch was good, however they did overpay badly for him. Their draft day trade with the Rockets however was plain ludacris.
Grade: C+
New York Nicks
Just like every other summer, the Knicks were capped out before free agency even started. They did acquire the spoon with their mid level exception and did sign Houston to a long extension, though I don think Houston is a good
enough player to command 100 million dollars. They also finally rid themselves of Glen Rice, but picked up even more salary(Eisley)
Grade: C
Orlando Magic
Lost out on both AD and C-WEB, even though both said Orlando was their #1 choices. Added two very old big men(Ewing, Grant) but that plus the return from Grant Hill and this team is as good as any in the East.
Grade: B-
Philadelphia 76ers
The Eastern Conference champs were able to get rid or Tyrone Hills salary, but they will miss his rebounding. And they seem to be higher than anyone on
newly acquired Matt Harpring, although Im not sure why. Getting rid of Jermaine Jones was questionable since AI needs all the scoring help he can get.
Grade: C-
Toronto Raptors
Talk about the perfect summer, the Raptors had one. Not only did they keep all three of their key free agents(AD, Jerome and Alvin Williams) but they convinced VC to sign an extension and also gave up a low pick to land the
Dream, giving the Raptors their first legit center in franchise history.
Grade: A
Washington Wizards
Got a probable future all star in the draft( Kwame Brown).But didnt do much in free agency, leading me to believe that MJ is not returning. And I am still trying to figure out why they wanted Christian Laettner back so bad, he is Footballs version of Scott Mitchell.
Grade: C, if a certain guy named MJ comes back-Grade: A+++
Justin
Comments? email me at Motown4282@aol.com
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