3 Point Blogs - 3PointScore.com

The summer after the 06'-07' season was suppose to be when the cream of the crop was up for pickins, but now with Chris Bosh, Mello, King James, and Wade re-signing with their respective teams most of the NBA teams are scrambling now to make sure they can at least make a playoff appearences within the next 3-4 years. Teams like Portland and Toronto, and Chicago have already made very good improvements recently to their rosters, but the real wheelin' and dealin' is expected to take place right before training camp begins.

Teams such as my team, the Orlando Magic are not expected to really do much this off season due to the fact that it's after next season, after Grant Hill's crippling contract comes off the books, they'll have money to really make an impact. But in the east, if your team doesn't have DwyneWade, Lebron James, Dwight Howard, or if you didn't get a top pick during draft night or already made a good trade, or if you're the Knicks (due to thier crazy payroll), chances are, not much will happen. Other teams are in possible rebuilding mode such as the Nets and the Sixers or on the playoff hunt and looking for the right peices like Boston and the Pacers. And teams like the T'Wolves with KG are a mystery to everyone this off season.

With so many teams out there that have so many options, at this time it's hard to say what's really gonna happen and how teams will look like in the beginning of the season this year. The only thing that is for sure is that the winds of change are hear.

In recent history it was the west who ruled with an iron fist, but now the furture of the NBA is mostly in the east. Wade, James, and Howard, the top 3, are expected to dominate the NBA for the Next ten years or so, and others are expected to rise such as Jameer Nelson, LaMarcus Aldridge , and Adam Morrison. This doesn't even include the likes of Shaq, A.I., and Chris Bosh. Folks, weather you want to except it or not, the east is becoming the power house of the NBA like it was when Michael Jordan ran the courts. If things go as most believe it will, Just like New York, Boston and Chicago Rules in the 80's, Orlando, Miami, and Cleveland is expected to rule for a while.
Eventhought most people are not optimistic about the situation with Isiah Thomas and the Knicks, it's hard not to ask the question 'What if Stephon Marbury and Steve-O can co-exsist? as Marbury puts it, they would be a 'devastating back court.' Stephon has already expressed his joy of having Brown replaced by Thomas as the head coach so this 'devastating back court', which would be great to see, all relies on Steve-O and his moody attitude. I may be a Magic fan but I'm an NBA fan first and would love to see it happen.
Every other team in the east that doesn't have the top 3 realize that now is there chance to make a run and get what they can, otherwise it might be a long time before they can call themselves true contenders. If you've been under a rock or just too busy to keep up with all the NBA happenings, here is a recap of recent NBA sign and trades as seen on yahoo.com/sports as of 7/14/06.

Atlanta Hawks - Signed guard Speedy Claxton, who had been with the New Orleans Hornets.

Boston Celtics - Acquired guard Sebastian Telfair, center Theo Ratliff and a 2008 second-round pick from the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Raef LaFrentz, guard Dan Dickau and the rights to guard Randy Foye; acquired forward Brian Grant and the rights to guard Rajon Rondo from the Phoenix Suns for a future first-round pick; acquired the rights to forward Leon Powe from the Denver Nuggets for a 2007 second-round pick; waived guard Orien Greene.

Chicago Bulls - Acquired the rights to swingman Thabo Sefolosha from the Philadelphia 76ers for the rights to forward Rodney Carney, a 2007 second-round pick and $1 million; acquired forward Viktor Khryapa and the rights to forward Tyrus Thomas from the Portland Trail Blazers for the rights to forward LaMarcus Aldridge and a future second-round pick.
Dallas Mavericks - Acquired a 2007 second-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers for the rights to guard Danilo Pinnock; acquired forward Austin Croshere from the Indiana Pacers for guard Marquis Daniels; signed guard Greg Buckner, who had been with the Denver Nuggets.

Denver Nuggets - Acquired a 2007 second-round pick from the Boston Celtics for the rights to forward Leon Powe.

Detroit Pistons - Acquired the rights to center Cheick Samb from the Los Angeles Lakers for swingman Maurice Evans.

Golden State Warriors - Acquired guards Devin Brown, Keith McLeod and Andre Owens from the Utah Jazz for guard Derek Fisher.

Houston Rockets - Acquired the draft rights to forward Lior Eliyahu from the Orlando Magic for cash considerations; acquired forward Shane Battier from the Memphis Grizzlies for forwards Rudy Gay and Stromile Swift.

Indiana Pacers - Waived forward Jonathan Bender; acquired the rights to guard James White from the Portland Trail Blazers for the rights to forward Alexander Johnson and two future second-round picks; acquired guard Marquis Daniels from the Dallas Mavericks for forward Austin Croshere.

Los Angeles Clippers - Re-signed guard Sam Cassell to a two-year contract; signed forward Tim Thomas, who had been with the Phoenix Suns.

Los Angeles Lakers - Acquired the rights to guard Danilo Pinnock from the Dallas Mavericks for a 2007 second-round pick; acquired swingman Maurice Evans from the Detroit Pistons for the rights to center Cheick Samb; signed forward Vladimir Radmanovic, who had been with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Memphis Grizzlies - Acquired the rights to forward Alexander Johnson from the Portland Trail Blazers for a future second-round pick; acquired forwards Rudy Gay and Stromile Swift from the Houston Rockets for forward Shane Battier.

Milwaukee Bucks - Acquired the draft rights of forward Damir Markota from the San Antonio Spurs for a 2007 second-round pick; acquired forward Charlie Villanueva from the Toronto Raptors for guard T.J. Ford and cash considerations.

Minnesota Timberwolves - Acquired the rights to guard Randy Foye and cash considerations from the Portland Trail Blazers for the rights to guard Brandon Roy; acquired a future second-round pick and cash considerations from the Philadelphia 76ers for the rights to forward Bobby Jones; signed guard Mike James, who had been with the Toronto Raptors.

Orlando Magic - Acquired cash considerations from the Houston Rockets for the draft rights to forward Lior Eliyahu; signed guard Keith Bogans, who had been with the Houston Rockets.

New Jersey Nets - Declined to exercise the 2006-07 contract option on forward Clifford Robinson; waived forward Scott Padgett.

New Orleans Hornets - Signed forward Peja Stojakovic, who had been with the Indiana Pacers.

Philadelphia 76ers - Acquired the rights to forward Bobby Jones from the Minnesota Timberwolves for a future second-round pick and cash considerations; acquired the rights to forward Rodney Carney, a 2007 second-round pick and $1 million from the Chicago Bulls for the rights to swingman Thabo Sefolosha; acquired the rights to forward Edin Bavcic from the Toronto Raptors for cash considerations; re-signed forward Shavlik Randolph; re-signed guard Willie Green.

Phoenix Suns - Acquired a future first-round pick from the Boston Celtics for forward Brian Grant and the rights to guard Rajon Rondo, acquired cash considerations from the Portland Trail Blazers for the rights to guard Sergio Rodriguez; signed guard-forward Eric Piatkowski, who had been with the Chicago Bulls, to a two-year contract.

Portland Trail Blazers - Acquired forward Raef LaFrentz, guard Dan Dickau and the rights to guard Randy Foye from the Boston Celtics for guard Sebastian Telfair, center Theo Ratliff and a 2008 second-round pick; acquired the rights to guard Brandon Roy from the Minnesota Timberwolves for the rights to guard Randy Foye and cash considerations; acquired the rights to guard Sergio Rodriguez from the Phoenix Suns for cash considerations; acquired the rights to forward LaMarcus Aldridge and a future second-round pick from the Chicago Bulls for forward Viktor Khryapa and the rights to forward Tyrus Thomas; acquired the rights to forward Alexander Johnson and two future second-round picks from the Indiana Pacers for the rights to guard James White; acquired a future second-round pick from the Memphis Grizzlies for the rights to forward Alexander Johnson; claimed center Nikoloz Tskitishvili off waivers from the Phoenix Suns; waived center Nikoloz Tskitishvili.

San Antonio Spurs - Acquired forwards Matt Bonner and Eric Williams and a 2009 second-round pick from the Toronto Raptors for center Rasho Nesterovic; acquired a 2007 second-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks for the rights to forward Damir Markota; signed guard Jacque Vaughn, who had been with the New Jersey Nets.

Toronto Raptors - Acquired forwards Kris Humphries and Robert Whaley from the Utah Jazz for center Rafael Araujo; acquired center Rasho Nesterovic from the San Antonio Spurs for forwards Matt Bonner and Eric Williams and a 2009 second-round pick; acquired cash considerations from the Philadelphia 76ers for the rights to forward Edin Bavcic; acquired guard T.J. Ford and cash considerations from the Milwaukee Bucks for forward Charlie Villanueva.

Utah Jazz - Acquired center Rafael Araujo from the Toronto Raptors for forwards Kris Humphries and Robert Whaley; acquired guard Derek Fisher from the Golden State Warriors for guards Devin Brown, Keith McLeod and Andre Owens.