Feb 01, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum (33) prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Kings 89-80. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

After trading for Andrew Bynum over the summer, there was a lot of excitement in Philadelphia for this season. But Bynum is still yet to play this year, and his absence has been felt, especially offensively. The Sixers are currently 29^th in points per game (92.3) and 27^th in offensive rating (98.9).

The good news for the Sixers (currently 22-29 and only 4 games out of the playoffs) is that Bynum’s return should be soon. Earlier today, Bynum spoke to reporters and indicated that he is closing in on a return.

Bynum says he will practice in a week … or two.

— John R. Finger (@jrfingerCSN) February 19, 2013

Bynum added that he’s 100 percent sure he will play this year.

— John R. Finger (@jrfingerCSN) February 19, 2013

Bynum, when healthy, is one of the best big men in the game. His return to the court would benefit the Sixers in two ways. The first is obviously his offensive post game. But secondly, he would draw attention from opposing defenses, making everyone else’s job on the court easier.

Without Bynum, the team has had to rely on its solid defense and the young Jrue Holiday. Holiday is having a breakout season, and has turned into one of the best young point guards in the league. Should the Sixers get an engaged, healthy, Andrew Bynum back soon, they should be able to do enough to sneak into the playoffs.

October 13, 2012; Atlantic City, NJ, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) drives against Philadelphia 76ers guard Jrue Holiday (11) at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

In the year 2013, it should be a clear understanding among true NBA fans that the voting system for the NBA All-Star game is completely flawed. Sure, a couple of inappropriate choices slide in under the radar every season, but that doesn’t mean that the coaches have to screw it up to.

Which is the likely scenario this season with the Nets’ Deron Williams and Sixers’ Jrue Holiday. The higher-ups are likely to send Deron Williams to Houston over Holiday because of his past performance,  name recognition and exciting style of play (comparable and arguable). The fact remains that Williams is having his worst season in years, and almost his whole career.

Of course, where the debate gets sticky is the ”team success” factor. While the Nets are currently riding a 7-game win streak and sit at 23-15 (slightly out of 2nd place in the East), the Sixers have fallen apart and at 16-23, are not currently a playoff team. Does that all rest on each one of these players individually? Certainly not. One could always toss in the counter argument that Williams has a much better team around him (true) and the Nets should be this good. You can call the Sixers  a bad team, but without Holiday, they would be an ever bigger mess. When we go down the ”value to their team” avenue, Brooklyn has enough to stay afloat while Philly would be lottery bound. That’s at least true for this particular season.

Besides, are we not rewarding outstanding individual behavior with the All-Star labeling? In 10 years, nobody will remember that the Nets were a mid-tier Eastern Conference playoff team and the Sixers missed the playoffs. We will however, see the “X”-time All-Star on each player’s career resume. Personally, I want to be able to see that Jrue Holiday made at least ONE All-Star team, while Deron Williams will have more than a few under his belt.

When we look at numbers (because sometimes that’s the bottom line), Holiday has been better, with less talent around him, and far more consistent:

Deron Williams
37 GP, 16.8 pts, 7.7 asts, 3.2 rebs, 1.0 stls, 40.6 FG%, 32.0 3PT%, 85.7FT%

Jrue Holiday:
35 GP, 19.0 pts, 8.8 asts, 4.2 rebs, 1.37 stls, 45.8 FG%, 37.5 3PT%, 78.3 FT%

Even though Williams has the undoubtedly more talented nucleus around him, Holiday has been superior (and some significantly) in every major category except free throw percentage and he does average more turnovers per game. If you used the anonymous “Player A-B” comparison approach, you’d have to agree that Holiday has been an All-Star caliber player.

The coaches need to do the right thing with their votes and get Holiday in the game. Even Deron Williams agrees.

May 16, 2012; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum (17) handles the ball while being guarded by Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins (5) during the second half in game two of the Western Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-US PRESSWIRE

Andrew Bynum
Resume: 18.7 points (career best), 11.8 rebounds (3rd in league, career best), 1.9 blocks (6th in league), 35.2 minutes (career best), 37 double-doubles (5th in league), 56% FG (4th in league), and 69% FT… Team record in games played: 38-22 (3-3 without)… Playoffs: 16.7 points (career best), 11.1 rebounds (career best), 3.1 blocks (career best), 48% FG, 78% FT, 5-7 record… All-Star, 2nd Team All-NBA

The most interesting subplot coming into this season that doesn’t have every angle covered by the media is probably the Andrew Bynum situation. I’m thoroughly intrigued at how this could turn out, because really there is a stark contrast in possibilities.

What do we know for sure? Well, Philadelphia traded away the guy who has been the cornerstone of the franchise for eight years (Iguodala) and a legitimately stable locker room guy. In return, they received Andrew Bynum; the unanimous choice as at least the 2^nd best center in the NBA, but also someone who has had more than a handful of moments that lead you to believe he is not only moody, but has the potential to tear down a locker room like Bane brought down Gotham City in The Dark Knight Rises. This was a part of a larger trade that brought Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers, basically sending the message to Bynum “We needed an upgrade at your position. Thanks for 7 injury plagued years. Have fun in Philadelphia.”

Here are the things we don’t know: We don’t know whether or not Andre Iguodala was being restricted in Philadelphia (something I touched on when I discussed Iguodala). We don’t know if Philadelphia’s lack of extended success over the last few years was due solely to the fact that they didn’t have a big man. Most importantly, we have no effing idea how Andrew Bynum is going to respond to being “the man” for Philadelphia. Will he act like a moody, immature 15 year old whose parents told him they wouldn’t extend his curfew, or will he grow up, quit the pouting act and make a legitimate case that not only is he the best center in the league, but that the Lakers effed up for trading him for Dwight Howard.

Personally, I hope Bynum does succeed. This stems mostly for my bitterness towards Dwight Howard, but what is the downside to having Andrew Bynum make the next step? As a basketball fan I want as many great players in the league as possible, and I see Bynum as someone who currently possesses a treasure chest of potential, he just hasn’t unlocked it yet. He’s good enough that there is at least a warranted conversation that Dwight Howard might not be the best center in the league. Do I agree with that statement? Unfortunately, I don’t. Bynum is a more naturally gifted offensive player, but that is really the only edge he has on Dwight. This season could change the course of that whole conversation though. Dwight Howard made average Orlando teams close to great, and Bynum could do the same exact thing in Philadelphia. Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young, Nick Young and Spencer Hawes provide a pretty decent supporting cast, but the key to Philadelphia contending in a bolstered Atlantic Division is Bynum.

Is Bynum ready for the pressure of being the go-to-guy in Philadelphia? Is he going to give the typically critical Philadelphia crowd and media a reason to criticize him, or revere him? These are the questions I am asking myself 15 days from the NBA season, because he could either make Philadelphia completely relevant for the first time since Allen Iverson was there, or the whole situation could end up a total mess.

April 15, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics forward Brandon Bass (30) drives to the basket and scores as he is defended by Charlotte Bobcats center Byron Mullens (22) during the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE

• BRANDON BASS, PF, Boston Celtics
  Last season: 31.7 MPG, 12.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 14.21 PER
  The Celtics certainly have a new look to them this season. The biggest changed occurred at the 2-guard spot with Ray Allen taking his shooting stroke to South Beach and the C’s bringing in Jason Terry and Courtney Lee to replace him (though Avery Bradley will eventually be the starter). However, the key guy in the Celtics equation isn’t a new addition of one of Rondo, Pierce or Garnett. It’s Brandon Bass, and particularly his growth in an increased front court role this season. The guy averaged almost 32 minutes per game last season, but beyond Pierce and Garnett, the Celtics had a lot of trouble scoring (26th overall) and rebounding (30th) up front. With the return of Jeff Green from heart surgery, the drafting of two very young forwards (Sullinger and Melo) and the career question mark this is Chris Wilcox, the Celtics depth at forward for at least this upcoming season is unknown. This is where even more weight shifts to the shoulders of Bass, who showed flashes of ability last season.
• 

  Apr 8, 2011; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez (11) drives to the basket against New York Knicks power forward Shelden Williams (13) at the Prudential Center. New York Knicks won116-93.Mandatory Credit: Jim O

  BROOK LOPEZ, C, Brooklyn Nets
  Last season: 27.2 MPG, 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 21.96 PER (5 games)
  As the “backup plan” to Dwight Howard, Brook Lopez cashed in with a HUGE contract this offseason, despite only playing in 5 games last year. With the Nets being truly thin at the center position, Lopez will need to be THE guy, meaning he has to stay on the floor for the whole season. Even though the Nets have some very high profile names on their roster (and of course added Joe Johnson), it’s Lopez that should feel the pressure to be an interior force, particularly defensively, in the middle. The Nets hope that the alarming 3.6 rebounds per game from their 7-footer in 5 games last year will be closer to triple that amount for this season.

• 

  April 15, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Raymond Felton (5) controls the ball against Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (22) during the first quarter at Power Balance Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

  RAYMOND FELTON, PG, New York Knicks
  Last season: 31.8 MPG, 11.4 PPG, 6.5 APG, 13.46 PER
  After the Knickerbockers missed out on Steve Nash this offseason, they brought over Jason Kidd to handle mentorship duties. Kidd will provide endless leadership, but the real impact to the point guard position and to the team, will be the question of whether or not Ray Felton can have a bounce back season. Yes, Melo, Amar’e and Chandler are the stars, but the Knicks need Felton to really RUN this team for the important game stretches. After a terrible year in Portland and once again hearing the punchlines about his weight, he should have plenty of motivation to push this team to a playoff run. The Knicks may know right away how deep the commitment is when Felton and his frame show up for training camp.

• 

  May 12, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Evan Turner (12) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett (back) during the first half of game one in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE

  EVAN TURNER, SF, Philadelphia 76ers
  Last season: 26.4 MPG, 9.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 12.69 PER
  It’s obvious that the Sixers will live or die based on the degree of dominance displayed by Andrew Bynum. But aren’t we at a point of make-or-break with Evan Turner? A former #2 overall pick and once considered the best player in college basketball in his draft year, Turner’s Pippen-like point forward versatility has not translated to the NBA. With Thaddeus Young, Dorell Wright, Jason Richardson and Nick Young requiring a significant amount of minutes at the SF and SG spots, they will push for Turner’s playing time, especially if he starts slow. He needs to build upon Doug Collins’ increased trust factor in the playoffs where he played 34.5 minutes per game. That 12.69 PER has to come up.

• 

  Mar 29, 2011; Newark, NJ, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Kyle Lowry (7) drives to the basket against New Jersey Nets point guard Jordan Farmar (2) and power forward Kris Humphries (43) at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

  KYLE LOWRY, PG, Toronto Raptors
  Last season: 32.1 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 6.6 APG, 18.89 PER
  One could easily argue that Jonas Valanciunas will be just as big an X-Factor as Lowry. As of now, he’s the only “true” center on the Raptors roster. But without seeing a single minute of NBA action, it’s hard to set realistic expectations. Lowry however, acquired via trade and coming off a fantastic year in Houston, was given the keys to the entire offense in Toronto, while pushing Jose Calderon to the bench. Whether he averages close to 20 points or 8-9 assists per contest, production out of point guard position is something the Raptors sorely lacked. Combine that with his unquestioned toughness and he has a chance to be THE guy that leads the Raptors back to a playoff birth.

Apr 20, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) takes a pass during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Warriors 104-94. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

I could have just as easily called this entry “NBA Players I’m Most Excited To See Develop This Season,” but upon deeper consideration, I’ll avoid make this a personal wishlist and stick to guys I expect to break out, rather than the players I hope to.

Do I think that all of these players will be in the serious running for Most Improved Player? Of course not. But I do expect them to take a major step forward this year statistically, get noticeably better and have a big impact on their teams

Also, when we define “breakout season,” we have to consider young players, typically with 1-3 seasons under their belt, who may have had very limited opportunity (for a number of reasons) or even the right team to help them grow from their rookie status. So no, rookies won’t count. And despite being given a fresh start with a new team and having a heck of an Olympic run, Andrei Kirilenko or his type will not quality for the “breakout” list, sorry Timberwolves fans. With that out of the way, the list:

• Klay Thompson, Warriors
  I absolutely LOVE Klay Thompson this season. He has a perfect situation for himself in Golden State where he can get plenty of minutes swapping between the starting shooting guard spot and some time at small forward. He’ll be playing in a very young, up-tempo offense that finally has a capable center in Andrew Bogut, who teams will have to pay a little more attention to than Andris Biedrins and Ekpe Udoh. That means open shots for Klay, who was one of the best three-point shooters in the league last season. If this year’s Summer League is any indication, Klay will progress quickly and form one of the best shooting backcourts in the game with Steph Curry. Even though it was only two games, Klay averaged 20.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.5 apg and shot the lights out in Vegas, going 10-for-14 from behind the arc. A shooter with great size at 6’7, he’ll be an extremely hard cover at the 2-spot, so there’s no reason to think he won’t get much better in every category. I expect him to be the number one scoring option very quickly.
• 

  May 10, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) reacts during the second half of game six in the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 113-96. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

  Kenneth Faried, Nuggets
  Aside from having arguably the best nickname in the league, “The Manimal” proved last season that his ferocious rebounding skill set absolutely belonged in the league. In only 22.5 mpg for the Nuggets last season, he averaged 10.2 ppg and 7.7 rpg. Like the season itself, Faried got even better in the playoffs, where his rebounds went up and he averaged a double-double (10.4 ppg and 10.0 rpg) in seven games. Faried figures to be a starter going into this season and the Nuggets have the look of a very dangerous team in the West, especially after adding Andre Iguodala to upgrade the defense. It should surprise no one at all if Faried ends up averaging a double-double this season, given 30+ minutes a night.

• 

  Mar. 16, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe during game against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Pistons 109-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

  Greg Monroe, Pistons
  Monroe barely makes this list, simply because many feel he had a breakout year last year, to which I agree. However, I think Monroe has a chance this year to not only improve further, but to become THE franchise player in Detroit. The Pistons are long since the days of their 2004 Championship season and now finally have a budding young star in Monroe (and hopefully Brandon Knight) to start building around. The skilled big man started all 66 games for the Pistons last season, averaging 15.4 ppg and 9.6 rpg in 31.5 mpg. The only knock on Monroe is that for his size, he should be a better shot blocker, averaging only 0.6 over two seasons. His totals (including blocks) should go up this season as he the Piston offense will run more through him. Expect very close to a 20 and 10 season.

• 

  Apr 12, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Derrick Williams (7) jumps up for a rebound in the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

  Derrick Williams, Timberwolves
  As the #2 pick in the draft last year (with some arguing that he should have been #1 over Irving), a lot was expected of Derrick Williams. His numbers were solid, but not impressive. In only 21.5 minutes, 8.8 ppg and 4.7 are fine for a rookie season. Shot selection was a mild concern, as .412% shooting is a little scary, but that should improve in his second season and the eventual return of Ricky Rubio. Even with the rosters additions of Kirilenko and Buddinger, Williams should see closer to 25 minutes this season with the Wolves hopes his production spikes as well. Williams will primarily back up Kevin Love at the 4-spot and will see some minutes at the 3. It may not be by the same leaps as the other guys on this list, but I expect a step forward, which the Wolves will need to get into the playoffs in the tight West.

• 

  May 23, 2012; Philadelphia, PA USA; Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Evan Turner (12) reacts during the first half of game six of the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers defeated the Celtics, 82-75. The 76ers tied the series at 3 games each. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE

  Evan Turner, 76ers
  Another #2 pick, Turner was an anomaly even before he entered the league. An extraordinary, do-it-all talent at Ohio State with a puzzling personality, one would hope that his third year in Philly will see him grow into a go-to player. Even with the roster changes (Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams OUT, Andrew Bynum, Jason Richardson and Nick Young IN), Turner’s minute numbers should start to resemble his playoff ones from last year (34.5 up from 26.4) and he could be in line for a starting spot right away. While the shooting was ugly (.364% over 13 playoff games), everything else went up, including 7.5 rebounds per game. At this point, Turner doesn’t have the look of an NBA scorer and the Sixers want to use him as a Scottie Pippen-like point forward who can rebound and facilitate. It’s time for Turner.

• 

  April 24, 2012; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) blocks the attempted dunk of Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) during the first half at Energy Solutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE

  Derrick Favors, Jazz
  As much as Enes Kanter could be on this list as well, I expect Derrick Favors to more opportunity right away. When the Jazz bumped Favors minutes up from 21.3 during the season to 29.0 in the playoffs, he responded by posting a near double-double in 4 games with 11.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg and 1.5 bpg. If he can improve his free throw shooting, the scoring average will see an increase. With Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap the starters, Favors should be the first big man off the bench to play either the power forward or center position. Utah isn’t a big market, so it’s easy for Favors to fly under the radar, but I expect we hear his name mentioned a lot more in this upcoming season as the Jazz gun for a playoff spot. He’s definitely a building block.

Mentionables:
Avery Bradley (Celtics), MarShon Brooks (Nets), Kemba Walker (Bobcats), Dominique Jones (Mavericks), Brandon Knight (Pistons), Paul George (Pacers), Josh Selby (Grizzlies), Iman Shumpert (Knicks), DeMarcus Cousins (Kings), Enes Canter (Jazz), John Wall (Wizards)

April 10, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Injured Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard claps from the sidelines against the Washington Wizards in the second half at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 93-85. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

Dwight Howard finally got traded. So now we all can get on with our lives, his “Indecision” is now over after a blockbuster 4-team deal brings him to Lakerland where he will join forces with Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Pau Gasol (how is this even possible?). Before I break down what the deal means for each team, below are all the players and draft picks involved. David Stern is cringing somewhere trying to comprehend this trade.

Lakers receive: Dwight Howard, Chris Duhon, Earl Clark

Magic receive: Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Josh McRoberts, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless, Christian Eyenga, 3 protected 1st round draft picks (1 from each team), 2 2nd round draft picks

Sixers receive: Andrew Bynum, Jason Richardson

Nuggets receive: Andre Iguodala

Apr 5, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) reacts after a turnover during the fourth quarter at Amway Center. New York defeated Orlando, 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

Los Angeles Lakers – Is it possible for General Manager of the 2012-2013 season to be locked up already? Because Mitch Kupchak is making a phenomenal case for that award right now. With Kupchak’s moves, the Lakers have gone from a respected but not serious championship contender to possibly the favorites to win coming into next season. Steve Nash for 4 draft picks and now Dwight Howard suiting up for the purple and gold without having to give up Pau Gasol sounds like an excellent summer to me. The Lakers also received Chris Duhon (completely and uttlerly useless at this stage of his career) and Earl Clark, who actually could turn into a decent backup but is far from the main attraction. With the addition of Dwight Howard, the Lakers become an even more problematic team on both ends of the court to contend with. On the defensive end, Dwight Howard will mask much of the Lakers weaknesses on that end. Teams can no longer pick and roll them to death and with D12′s shot-blocking and rebounding prowess, the Lakers will be a defensive force. Not to mention coach Mike Brown hangs his hat on his defensive schemes, with the 3-time Defensive Player of the Year anchoring the paint the Lakers will be difficult to light up. Now on the offensive side of the ball; picture the many looks the Lakers can give opponents, I’m having visions of pick and roll being run to perfection with Steve Nash and Dwight, Pau Gasol at the high post and Kobe Bryant on the wings, just think about that for a second. The YouTube link in the last sentence is  p&r run with JJ Redick, this is infinitely scarier as a defense with one of the best point guards of all time running it. While Dwight Howard does not have the post repertoire of Andrew Bynum, he is still a high percentage scorer (57.7 percent from the field over his career) and commands a double team. With an all time legend running the point, Dwight Howard’s skills will be maximized offensively. With 4 guys capable of being a first option on any given night, there will naturally be some sacrifice in order for the Lakers to reach their vast potential but this trade was an absolute no brainer for L.A..

While Dwight Howard seems set on exploring free agency next summer, does anyone really believe he will leave the glits and glamour that comes with being a Laker? Nevermind the fact that he would be sacrificing money to leave, he gets to perform in one of the two biggest media markets in the country (New York being the other) and will be playing on a team very capable of winning a championship.

Grade: A+

Apr 26, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Denver Nuggets shooting guard Arron Afflalo (6) against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Target Center. Nuggets won 131-102. Mandatory Credit: Greg Smith-US PRESSWIRE

Orlando Magic – Any time you can turn the best big man in the NBA into the pu pu platter that is Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga, Moe Harkless and draft picks that very likely won’t be before the 20′s, you have to do it right? I’ll stop being facetious now, it is obvious that new GM Rob Hennigan is trying to build from the ground up. I don’t need to rehash the whole Dwight Howard fiasco leading to this trade so I will focus on the future ramifications for Orlando. At first glance, it appears that Orlando is maybe getting 10 cents on the dollar and one would be correct to assume as much. None of the players the Magic received currently are or project to be superstars, though Moe Harkless has potential to be a very solid swingman some day. Arron Afflalo is a solid role player, one who plays strong defense and can hit the three and Al Harrington who is a nice, instant offense 6th man type player. Nikola Vucevic showed flashes of potential in limited playing time for Philadelphia last season averaging 5.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in less than 16 minutes a contest. The Magic will also receive 3 1st round draft picks (all of which are protected) and 2 2nd round picks in this deal. While Orlando could have received much more talent in return for Dwight Howard, they were able to rid themselves of some questionable contracts (Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon) and will have maximum cap room for the 2013 off-season. Orlando has always been a friendly destination for free agents, with the warm climate and no state tax the Magic shouldn’t struggle to improve their team through free agency, especially considering that they can free up even more money if they choose to cut partially guaranteed deals to both Harrington and Hedo Turkoglu. I’m sure Magic fans while not satisfied with the return they got for Dwight Howard are happy that they can finally sleep at night knowing this situation is over. I’m sure they will be ready to shower Howard with boos when he returns to Orlando on March 12th.

Grade: D, I’m not giving an F only because if Hennigan hits on these future draft picks the outlook is much less pessimistic in Orlando.

April 22, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum (17) makes a dunk past Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha (2) in the second half of the game at the Staples Center. Lakers won in double OT 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

Philadelphia 76ers- I for one think the Sixers front office did an excellent job in this trade. For all of the concerns that come with Andrew Bynum, mainly his attitude and his injury history, he is an immensely talented post player and immediately becomes Philadelphia’s first legitimate go to player since the beloved Allen Iverson. He should be able to average 20 and 10 easily on his new team and will appreciate being the number one option which is something he would never be in Los Angeles so long as Kobe Bryant is still a Laker. The Sixers also acquired Jason Richardson in this deal, while JRich at 31 has seen better days as a basketball player he will be a great complement to Bynum as someone that can space the floor as a three point specialist and is an undervalued component of this trade. For everything Andre Iguodala did well as a defender and a playmaker, he was miscast as the go-to guy for the Sixers for years and received his fair share of criticism in his eight years in Philadelphia. The Sixers never made it past the second round of the playoffs throughout Iguodala’s tenure in Philadelphia and this transaction signifies the beginning of a new era, one that Sixers faithful should be very excited about. Bynum instantly makes the Sixers a threat in the East and while they are not in the class of the Miami Heat, they should project to win around 50 games this season and fight for a high playoff seed.

It is unclear whether Andrew Bynum will choose to sign an extension with Philadelphia but much like in Howard’s situation, he would be turning down millions of dollars if he leaves after the 2013 season. Plus growing up an hour outside of Philly can’t hurt, right?

Grade: A

Denver Nuggets – While the Nuggets clearly upgraded in talent, acquiring 2012 All-Star and Olympian Andre Iguodala, it did come at a cost of helping a conference foe get significantly better as well. I’m sure General Manager Masai Ujiri will live with the trade-off however, Iguodala is a picture perfect fit for the up-tempo style George Karl employs and the Nuggets save money long term on this deal, shedding the contracts of Afflalo and Harrington. Iguodala quietly had the best three point shooting percentage of his career this season (39.4 percent from deep) and is an elite defensive stud. While he only averaged 10 shot attempts a game, he averaged 12.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the Sixers in 2011-2012 and is no longer in a situation where he is expected to be a heavy scorer as he was circa 2006-2010 in Philadelphia. With great point guard play from Ty Lawson and Andre Miller at his side, I expect an uptick in Andre’s scoring in 2013. A starting lineup of Javale McGee, Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler/Danilo Gallinari, Andre Iguodala and Ty Lawson is young, scary athletic and should be an incredibly fun team to watch this upcoming season. Masai Ujiri has done a masterful job building this Denver Nuggets team since trading Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks in February 2011 and while they are likely not a championship threat, this team is an unenviable match-up on any given night.

Grade: A-

Jan 20, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) meet prior to the start of the game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

Everyone can finally wake up… the Dwightmare is over!

After what is now months of basketball and media torture, Dwight Howard was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers late Thursday night in a four-team, 8-player trade that also involved the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers. According to ESPN’s Mark Stein, there is a trade call with the league office scheduled for Friday to secure the necessary NBA approval to make the deal official.

The full, completed trade will look like this:

While many NBA fans will hardly be blindsided by the news of this inevitable Dwight Howard trade, the assessment of the deal should serve as some serious water cooler buzz throughout offices tomorrow morning. By adding Nash and now Howard, are the Lakers now clearly the team to beat? Did the Magic get enough back in return? Will Bynum be happy enough in Philly to sign long-term? Did Denver add enough in Iguodala? All questions to be debated by experts and fans alike.

Here is a preliminary breakdown to what this trade means to each team:

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Obviously, they are the major player in this deal. Basically, they replace Andrew Bynum (and give up a protected first-round pick) with Dwight Howard and somehow manage to keep Pau Gasol in the process, which might very well be the underlying remarkable element to this whole deal. So after acquiring two-time MVP Steve Nash a month ago to come facilitate a new era of Showtime in Los Angeles, the Lakers will send out a starting lineup of Nash, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, likely Metta World Peace and Dwight “I’ll play out the 2012-13 season before deciding how comfortable I am in Los Angeles” Howard. Even after finally being dealt out of Orlando to an instant contender, the guy is still unbelievable.

Kobe Bryant, chasing a gold medal over in London at the moment was apparently “ecstatic” to add a piece like Howard without having to give up Gasol in the process. Wow, do you think?

So now the Lakers, already contenders without this deal, perhaps jump to the top of the Western Conference as favorites over the youthful Oklahoma City Thunder and veteran San Antonio Spurs. While the starting lineup certainly breeds no questions, some may arise about the depth of the bench. Upon reacting to the trade and taking into consideration their draft and offseason moves, I don’t believe they will be quite as thin as some may originally think. Adding Antawn Jamison on the cheap was definitely a key move, while role players like Steve Blake, Jordan Hill, Andrew Goudelock and Josh McRoberts will have the opportunity to solidify their place in the rotation. I even like what the Lakers did in the Draft by grabbing who I think is an underrated Robert Sacre out of Gonzaga and Darius Johnson-Odom from Marquette.

Trust me, the Lakers and their ability to now run an almost-unstoppable pick and roll, will be just fine for a full 48 minutes a game.

May 26, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers small forward Andre Iguodala (9) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in game seven of the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

DENVER NUGGETS

I feel like the Nuggets gave up a slightly too much to land just Andre Iguodala in all of this. Aaron Afflalo, who they just signed to a very healthy long-term deal last season, is basically a poor man’s version of Andre Iguodala, without the brand name and the double the price tag.

Their numbers from last season are very comparable, with Afflalo having an advantage in several categories, including scoring and all of the shooting percentages:

Al Harrington, one of the first options off the Denver bench, will be hard to immediately replace with his solid scoring and perimeter shooting. And surely he can’t be thrilled about moving to the rebuilding project in Orlando. It’s also worth being reminded that Denver also gives up a protected first-round pick to the Magic. All of this seems like a lot for Iguodala and doesn’t essentially improve the Nuggets.

Iguodala, an All-Star and also chasing a medal in London, has been on the block for a few seasons now and may finally welcome a move out of Philly.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

May 6, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Aaron Afflalo (6) shoots the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) during the first half of game four in the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

The Sixers come away from the deal with a young star in Bynum that they can build around… if of course, he wants to stick around after this season. Growing up about an hour away from Philadelphia combined with now having “his own team,” might be reasons for him to play there beyond next season. Also, the idea of being a dominant big man in the Eastern Conference while earning multiple All-Star and potential playoff appearances must be enticing. During this season, Bynum could sign a three-year, $60 million extension or wait until next season when he would be eligible for a five-year, $102 million deal. Regardless, the Sixers were apparently comfortable to roll the dice without Bynum’s commitment.

In Jason Richardson, the Sixers get a veteran scorer with a very favorable contract. Whether he’s a starter like most of his career, or he comes off the bench, he’ll help mentor the team’s younger players at the shooting guard and perhaps even the small forward position. His production has dipped the past couple of seasons, but the Sixers could do worse.

ORLANDO MAGIC

May 6, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Aaron Afflalo (6) shoots the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) during the first half of game four in the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

While the Magic are certainly relieved to have this hostage situation behind them now, they immediately enter rebuilding mode and go from the 6th seed in the East to the lottery. Initially there were some reactions that the Magic didn’t get enough back in the deal. I disagree. Getting rid of Howard was the move they were forced (literally) to make and one that I don’t necessarily see as negative. They knew by doing so that they were starting from scratch. By adding veterans Afflalo and Harrington, young guy Nikola Vucevic (who showed some promise last season) and St. Johns rookie Moe Harkless, they pulled in a solid enough mix with guys that can contribute right away and others with the potential to. Does all of it replace Dwight Howard? No, but that wasn’t the goal anyway. I think when you consider that they added three first-round picks, they could be in a very nice position in just a couple of seasons. This season will end up being a long one in Orlando, where the fans have become accustomed to a perennial playoff team.

As Stan Van Gundy is off in a corner weeping, the rest of us can rejoice as the Dwight Howard saga has finally come to and end… until next season.

As NBA fans, we’re often quick to bash a player if we think they are underachieving or if they just irk our souls. When you see these guys that are multi-millionaires playing with less than stellar effort, making questionable decisions on and off the court or just having an off-night; its easy to criticize and we are entitled to that as fans who love the game. I have no problem “going in” on a favorite player or team of mine if I don’t like how they are playing. Having said that, this article is going in the opposite direction. I want to give props and due respect to 5 particular players whom are either unheralded or underappreciated in the grand scheme of things. Some of it may be lack of exposure to their games as a couple of these guys are up and coming players, some of it is players who we are quite familiar with but take for granted. We complain about their shortcomings while not acknowledging their contributions to their squads as their respective teams would be much worse if they were not playing.

All Underappreciated Team

Point Guard – Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Westbrook is the most critiqued player in the NBA west of South Beach. His supporters recognize that he needs to be an aggressive scorer in order for Oklahoma City to be at their best. On the other hand, his naysayers believe he needs to defer more to superstar teammate Kevin Durant. What his detractors don’t seem to understand is that Durant himself wants Russ to be an aggressor and look for his shot. They also don’t grasp the fact that Oklahoma City is at their worst when Kevin Durant has a higher usage rate in games than Russell Westbrook. According to advanced stats gurus Alok Pattani and Dean Oliver from ESPN, the Thunder are 38-11 with an average of 108.8 points per 100 posessions when Russell Westbrook has a higher usage rate. When Kevin Durant has a higher usage rate however, Oklahoma City is 22-12 and their average points per 100 possessions dips to 106.3, still a very efficient offense but proof enough that the Thunder are at their best when Westbrook is taking the majority of the shots.

As far as how he plays the point guard position, Russ will never be John Stockton or Magic Johnson who were perennial assists leaders in their heyday and that much has been established. Then again, Westbrook did not play point until his rookie year and it is not his natural position. As far as his positives are concerned, his freakish athleticism, yearly improvement and his youth (he will be 24 in November) are on his side. He is a 2-time All-NBA second team member and the sky is the limit for the guy, people just need to get off his back and let him play his game.

Honorable Mention – Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors

Shooting Guard – Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

Mar 28, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots against the New Orleans Hornets during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. New Orleans defeated Golden State 102-87. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

For Golden State’s blatant tank job they committed after the All-Star break, one positive did occur in regards to the Warriors future and that is the emergence of Klay Thompson. It shouldn’t be surprising that he can play considering he has NBA lineage in his family, he is the son of former #1 overall draft pick Mychal Thompson who had a productive 13 year career playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers. Thompson falls more in the unheralded category as he is only about to enter his second year as a pro but he has immediately made his presence known. In 29 games as a starter for the Warriors, Klay averaged 18.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3 assists in 33 minutes per game. In addition, he is a threat from long distance as he shot 41.4 percent from 3. Truth be told it defies logic how he was not a participant in the 2012 All-Star Weekend 3-Point Contest (he was shooting an insane 50% from 3 point range prior to the All-Star Break). Either way, with a revamped squad including a hopefully healthy Andrew Bogut and rookie Harrison Barnes the future is looking good in Golden State and I suggest you watch this video to get familiar with Mr. Thompson as he should be a name we will be accustomed to hearing for a long time

Honorable Mention – Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies

Small Forward – Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers

July 12, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; United States forward Andre Iguodala (9) dunks to score a basket against the Dominican Republic in the second half at the Thomas and Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Maybe its because I’ve been around a bunch of Philadelphians but the overwhelming majority of the ones I have come across cannot stand Andre Iguodala. Furthermore his name is always circulating in trade rumors. I never understood why either, he isn’t a great scorer but is an elite lockdown defender who is consistently matched up against the other team’s best player on a nightly basis, creates plays for others as he has averaged close to 5 assists a game throughout his career and plays a well-rounded game, only Lebron James had more triple-doubles in the 2010-2011 season. Andre Iguodala is a big time player as evidenced by his selection to the Eastern Conference All-Star and 2012 US Olympic teams. You can argue that a guy who has never averaged 20 points a game throughout his career making 80 million in his contract may be ridiculous but even that is short-sighted. If he is the best player on your team, you may have problems but as a complementary player Andre Iguodala is a guy you can absolutely win with if he is on your side. Short of getting a bonafide superstar, the Sixers would be making a huge mistake if they trade Iguodala.

Honorable Mention – Shawn Marion, Dallas Mavericks

Power Forward – Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers

May 12, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol (16) reacts after making a shot as time expires in the second quarter of game seven of the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

I’m not going to lie, I do get incredibly frustrated with Pau at times because he does get in his own head. The rumors surrounding his relationship with his fiancee during the 2011 NBA Playoffs were a huge distraction and his game suffered tremendously as a result. Although Gasol had a solid season in 2012, averaging 17.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists a game, Pau was clearly distracted by trade rumors surrounding him in Lakerland. In his defense however, Mike Brown frequently had Pau in the high post in an attempt to give Andrew Bynum an expanded role in the offense and it was a difficult transition being relegated to the 3rd option offensively.

The positives far outweigh the negatives with Pau Gasol however, to put things into perspective as to how great Gasol has been as a Laker it took them two full seasons since Gasol got to Los Angeles in February 2008 for the Lakers to have a three-game losing streak. Gasol’s basketball IQ is out of this world and he is the perfect complementary player to play alongside Kobe Bryant, a guy talented to take over games if needed but knows his role in the general scheme of the Lakers offense. When a season like 2012 is considered to be average or subpar, you know you are an incredible basketball player. Gasol was the piece to put the Lakers over the top in 2009 where he outplayed Dwight Howard in the NBA Finals and again in 2010 where his Game 7 performance against the Boston Celtics (19 points, 18 rebounds, 2 blocks) led to the Lakers winning 2 championships. It still amazes me how fans take Pau Gasol for granted, he is amazingly skilled in the post, a tremendous passer, a solid defensive player and has had plenty of big game moments. With the addition of one of our generations best point guards in Steve Nash to make the game easier on all of the players in Purple and Gold, expect Gasol to have a great 2012-2013 season and be an important cog in the Los Angeles Lakers championship aspirations.

Honorable Mention – Kris Humphries, Brooklyn Nets

Center – Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons

April 17, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe (10) against the Cleveland Cavaliers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Monroe comes from a pedigree of great Georgetown big men, Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning and Roy Hibbert and has not disappointed in his 2 seasons in the NBA as the 7th overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft. For his 2011-2012 season, Monroe averaged 15.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists while only playing a little over 31 minutes a game for the Detroit Pistons. Expect these numbers to improve in 2012-2013 as he should assume a bigger role in the Pistons offense. Monroe also proved to be an efficient scorer as he shot 52.1 percent from the field and unlike most big men is a decent free throw shooter, shooting almost 74 percent from the stripe. Monroe’s skill set at the age of 22 is already impressive, he has an array of moves down on the block and is capable of hitting mid-range jumpers from 15-18 feet in addition to being a very good passer.  If controversial draft pick Andre Drummond pans out, a nucleus of Drummond, Monroe, Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey has the potential to make serious noise in the Motor City.

Honorable Mention – Marcin Gortat, Phoenix Suns

May 1, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers point guard Jrue Holiday (11) and power forward Elton Brand (42) bring the ball up court against Chicago Bulls point guard C.J. Watson (7) during the second half of game two in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the United Center. The 76ers beat the Bulls 109-92. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

Holiday, the Sixers starting guard, went off in Game 2 as his squad took the game’s final score 109-92. This was no surprise to me whatsoever. As noted in my debut column for StS, I referenced Holiday’s importance with the Bulls’ Derrick Rose out with a torn ACL for the series going forward. I casually prophesied Jrue having a huge game. He did just that.

Jrue capped the night off with a sickening 11 for 15 shooting night that netted 26 points. (Drastically improving from his Game 1 score of 16 shooting under 50 percent from the field.)

However, Holiday wasn’t the only big story line of Game 2. Philly’s leading scorer, Lou Williams, erupted for 20 points off the bench in only 27 minutes of floor-time. Evan Turner, the 6’7″ versatile guard, also put up good numbers for the guys in red and blue. Evan totaled up 7 boards, 6 assists and 19 points to go along with his fairly solid +/- rate of +13 – which was only second on his team to Andre “Iggy” Iguodala. Iggy didn’t particularly have the game he’s capable of. The All-Star must elevate his game in order for the 76ers to take a lead in this series.

Chicago’s Joakim Noah had a good night with 21 points and 8 boards. Meanwhile, John Lucas showed promise off the bench as a spark-plug for the Bulls with seven made buckets to give him 15 points. (Sadly, that’s all I have to say about Chicago other than they need D-Rose, pronto.)

Now that this 1-8 Eastern conference match-up is on the location-swing, what must each team do to take a pivotal 2-1 series lead – as it is currently tied 1-1 – that could help decide the series?

On Philadelphia’s behalf they need to continue to run everything they do through Jrue Holiday. Holiday’s size and athleticsm is a real problem for the Bulls, as they have no one else that can guard him but D-Rose. (Derrick couldn’t guard anyone but my 78-year-old grandma at this point.) Yes, the Bulls have a great defensive stopper in Ronnie Brewer. But, Brewer is a little too pre-occupied with the likes of Philly’s Iggy and Evan Turner – both are great all-around players that are bigger than usual for their position.

Another thing Philly needs to do is to continue to develop their frontcourt as no one besides Elton Brand has proven to be any sort of factor. Lavoy Allen, the 76ers rookie big man, did play well in Game 2, but he needs to hold onto the groove in order to stick with Noah and Boozer. The Sixers also need to be more lenient with Jodie Meeks. The 6’4″, 210 pound shooting guard from Kentucky can flat-out score. In the playoffs, teams typically stick with an eight-man rotation. Meeks is currently ninth on the depth chart, therefore he only logged one minute of playing time in Game 2. His shooting/scoring ability can be yet another headache for the Black Shoes and Black Socks band.

May 1, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) warms up before game two in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the United Center of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

For Chicago going forward, look up about a paragraph and a half and you will see my point made clear. THEY NEED DERRICK ROSE. They were able to skate by in the regular season without Rose with an 18-9 record – not bad, but hardly championship worthy.

The Bulls are seeing good things from Noah and Lucas as noted but need more from Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Rip Hamilton.

Chicago’s inability to make free throws in Game 2 severely hurt them.

Well… Think. If they would have made a realistic 16 out of 18 from the charity stripe rather than 10 for 18, we may have a game on our hands.

Free throws are a little but big thing, all ya gotta do is make it. It’s just you and the hoop. If the Bulls can’t take advantage of that then they can kiss this series goodbye and Philly will soar with flying colors.

Predictions in short:

Game 3 Score: 102-94, Philadelphia.

Look for this game to be hard-fought and competitive. Expect big numbers from the likes of Philly’s Holiday, Williams, Turner, and Brand. (With a hopeful bounce-back effort for Iggy.)

Rose in a regular season game

The lights came on and the stage was set as Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls mounted the floor in preparation for their first round Game 1 match-up with a very deep and defensive-minded Sixers squad. The Bulls came into the event with high expectations and championship hopes. Meanwhile, the Sixers are still in relief mode as they held onto their No. 8 seed as the season closed with the Milwaukee Bucks just nipping at their heels.

This year’s compressed schedule had most definitely taken a large toll on the Bulls’ superstar guard, D-Rose. Rose missed 27 games this season due to a slew of injuries that included his back and groin.

But Derrick was healthy by Saturday afternoon and the Bulls felt big things were coming.

When the game started, the Bulls quickly jumped out to a commanding lead, and the game felt as though it was leaning their way the whole time. As the game carried on, Chicago continued to impress, beating out Philly in every team statistical available with the exception of steals and turnovers.  Although the Sixers didn’t look bad, they just didn’t play up to the Bulls’ lofty level.

With 1:10 left in the game, Chicago winning, and players tired, Bulls head honcho Tom Thibodeau kept their star, Derrick Rose, in the game  – some are saying because he was one rebound and one assist away from a triple-double. On one of the game’s final possessions, Rose knifed through Philadelphia’s defense and went for a jump-stop to shoot a lay-up or kick-out pass for Carlos Boozer (remember, the Bulls were leading by 12 points at this point).

On Rose’s takeoff/landing, his left knee buckled in mid-air. Rose was left lying on the floor for the next couple seconds as Philly took the ball to the other side of the floor. With gasps coming from all over the United Center, people could see the grimacing look on Rose’s face. They knew it wasn’t good. A TV crew was able to pick up Rose saying, “I heard something pop” to a member of the team medical staff.

Rose was carried off the floor. Another bad sign. But the Bulls were able to close the game with a 103-91 win over Philadelphia to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Within a few hours, Rose was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee. Given that information, Derrick cannot play at all for the rest of the playoffs, will require surgery and will most likely not be ready for the Olympics right around the corner. Even bigger than that, Rose might not even be ready to suit up for the Bulls next season until late November.

So what does his absence mean for the series going further?

Well… a lot.

Even Magic Johnson says they have no chance at a championship. (Although I strongly agree.)

Jrue Holiday

This is obviously good news for Philadelphia as they will be able to use their point guard, Jrue Holiday, to a big advantage. Holiday is a 6’4″, 180 pound, long and athletic guard who is a good defender. His length will be able to suffocate backups John Lucas and C.J. Watson.

Statistically, Chicago takes big step back without Rose. The reigning MVP averaged 21.8 points per game this season despite being nagged by injuries. Yes, Watson and Lucas played well when Rose was out during the regular season. But, the playoffs are a whole other animal.

Neither of them are ready for the challenges that guards face in the playoffs. The Bulls went 18-9 without Derrick in the line-up. That, to me, is hardly a championship caliber record.

You know how they say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure? Well, this is the perfect example. Rose’s situation is a tragedy for the Bulls. For the Sixers? Not so much – it’s an unquestionably good turn of fortune.

Expect a big game out of Holiday as he will be guarded by smaller players like Lucas and Watson. Rose’s strength obviously bothered Holiday in Game 1. Holiday shot 7-18 overall and 1-4 from three, so most of his shots are occurring closer to the basket. With smaller defenders, it will be easier for him to get to the rim and create for himself and others.  When Holiday is on his game, he’s got All-Star potential and he’ll need to play like it for the Sixers.

Another factor is Louis Williams, Philadelphia’s 6’2” leading scorer. He shot below 20 percent from the field and will take advantage  – much like Holiday – of the smaller defenders and get his game going from the inside-out.

All-Star wing Andre Iguodala wasn’t himself either, shooting 3 for 11 from the field. He shot over 45% during the regular season and play as a de-facto point guard at times and is the Sixers’ primary ball handler in crunch-time situations. So don’t be surprised to see Watson or Lucas have to guard Iggy for possession a or two, a prospect which should worry the Bulls.

I think that the Elton Brand-Carlos Boozer match-up is fairly even. Both played exceptionally well in Game 1. Joakim Noah had a big performance in Game 1, too. Philadelphia’s center tandem, Lavoy Allen and Spencer Hawes, combined for only 9 points and 10 rebounds.  Noah, obviously, has a sizable advantage there.

In Game 2 the Bulls will need bigger contributions from everyone. For Philly, it’s a mirror image, they need bigger numbers and production from every position to get over the hump.

Look for a good game out of these two teams in Game 2.

Predictions in short:

Game 2 Score: 91-87, Philadelphia.

Series prediction: Chicago in 7

• Although they lose Rose, I think that the Bulls can win the series if they can get it to seven games. If they falter over the next couple games, though, I feel they will struggle to advance in six games or less.

Mar 07, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Evan Turner (12) brings the ball up court during the first quarter against the Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

Take: What Turner’s doing on the glass is on par with LeBron James’ epic PER in terms of truly amazing statistics this season.  That he’s doing it for a Philadelphia team that’s primed for a playoff berth despite lacking bigs that rebound with any aggression or consistency – Hawes, Brand, and Young, oh my! – is especially noteworthy, as without Turner’s superhuman efforts the Sixers would go from a poor rebounding team to one of the league’s worst.

More impressive than his overall total is Turner’s defensive rebound rate, which is an astounding 24.2.  For comparison, this would rank 13th in the league among centers and ninth among power forwards.  The second-year pro’s mark is 3.7 points higher than James’ small forward-leading tally of 20.5, and almost eight points better than Paul George’s 16.5, who is second behind Turner among shooting guards.  Overall, the sneaky long, strong, 6’7” Turner’s DRR is 21st in the NBA.

Obviously, Turner has a long way to go to justify his selection as the second overall pick in the 2010 draft.  That he’s carved out a niche in 2012 as the league’s best rebounder from the perimeter is a great indicator of his growth and commitment to effort, though, and a sure sign that he’s far from reached his ceiling as a player.

Feb 15, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers point guard Lou Williams (23) attempts a three point jump shot during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

Take: Every Spring as the playoffs roll around, you hear more and more about teams’ ability to come through in the clutch.  More often than not this discussion centers around whether or not a team has a “closer,” a player that not only has the gumption to take the big shots but the talent to make them with consistency.  Durant, Kobe Bryant, and Derrick Rose are commonly known as the league’s best in this regard, and their respective teams are considered extra dangerous because their unique combination of skills and mentality takes over as the fourth quarter clock winds down.

Philly, one of the surprise teams of the 2012 season despite their recent struggles (they’ve been without Spencer Hawes, who Doug Collins calls their most important player), has long been considered an afterthought because their roster lacks the requisite superstar, the type of player capable of putting the game on his shoulders in the closing minutes.  Though Williams is hardly the former, he’s most certainly the latter.  Lou’s always been one of the league’s quickest and slickest ballhandlers, but this season he’s hitting jumpers from 10 feet and out with a frequency he’s never previously approached, and it’s added up to the best and “most clutch” season of his career.

Philly’s offense can be hit or miss because of that missing dominant scorer and their reliance on mid-range jumpers, but their swarming defense is likely to give them a puncher’s chance in most every game once the postseason arrives.  That Williams has quietly emerged as the game’s preeminent “closer,” then, is a development that should not go overlooked.

*It should be noted that Saving the Skyhook, while very impressed with Williams’ proficiency in crunch time, bemoans the entire concept of “closers” because in the vast majority of cases that’s just another term for a guy playing “hero ball.”  Pay special attention to the offense teams with players like those mentioned above run in a close game with the clock winding down.  What you’ll see is four players standing and ball-watching while the “closer” takes a difficult shot in a one-on-one situation.  If that was the most efficient way to score, why don’t teams do it all game? Right.  Because it’s not.

Feb 29, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Andre Iguodala (9) brings the ball up court during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Wells Fargo Center. The Thunder defeated the Sixers 92-88. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

Take: Iguodala’s always been known as a pass-first player, but he’s taken that aspect of his game to a new level since Doug Collins took over as 76ers coach.  His assist rate was higher last season, but is still currently far above his career average.

Philly point guard Jrue Holiday isn’t exactly Steve Nash when it comes to distributing, so Iggy’s court sense is of special worth to the 76ers, who lead the league in assist ratio.  Iguodala gets tons of credit for spearheading the Sixers’ opportunistic defense, but not nearly enough for the effect he has on Philadelphia’s underrated offensive attack.

Keeping both those things in mind, Iguodala’s first All-Star selection this season is more than warranted.  That he’s not considered among the league’s top two-way wingmen is a thought that needs revisiting.

Stefanski has been the general manager in Philadelphia since 2007 and has been responsible for a number of important moves for the franchise, including signing Elton Brand, hiring Doug Collins and drafting Evan Turner with the second overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

It has long been rumored that Stefanski was a possibility for the Raptors GM job; throughout the summer Bryan Colangelo has been interviewing possible candidates, including Jeff Bower of the New Orleans Hornets and Dennis Lindsey of the San Antonio Spurs. (more…)

For those who follow the league, rumors regarding a possible trade of Andre Iguodala are nothing new; due to the size of this contract—$13.5 million next season, $ 14.7 the following season and a player option for $15.9 in the final season—it is widely held that the Sixers are looking to move him in order to save some cash and help facilitate the growth of their young team; but obviously, they are looking for a little more than a salary dump, which, given the fragile nature of team chemistry, could prove to be a difficult task. (more…)

We now have the official draft order for the upcoming NBA Draft:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Utah Jazz

(more…)

1. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls continue to come on strong, led by MVP candidate Derrick Rose (24.9 PPG, 7.8 APG on the season). The Bulls have held their opponents under 85 points seven times in the month of march and have won eight of their last ten.

(more…)

Boston Celtics (50-32, Lost NBA Finals): A-

For the aging Boston Celtics, the objective is clear: keep the team competitive for one more season while the Big 3 still have value. This summer, the Celtics did exactly that. Danny Ainge managed to reach agreements with both Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, keeping the core of the team intact for yet another year. Then, with Rasheed Wallace retiring and Kendrick Perkins out for who knows how long, he inked Jermaine O’Neal to a contract, who can do most of the things Sheed did while replacing his outside shot with better post skills. He rounded out his effort by re-signing Nate Robinson, who demonstrated his value as a backup point guard in the playoffs, and nabbing Avery Bradley in the draft. He’ll provide a great shooting touch in the second unit that the team previously lacked. The one error? They let defensive stalwart Tony Allen slip through their fingers.

Toronto Raptors (40-42, Missed Playoffs): D

The only reason this isn’t an F is because Chris Bosh’s departure was basically inevitable and there was nothing they could really do. Nevertheless, when a lottery team loses its one star, it’s a recipe for disaster. Ed Davis won’t be ready for a couple years, and while dumping the disgruntled Hedo Turkoglu and his bloated deal on the Suns was a good move, LeAndro Barbosa isn’t going to save the team. And giving Amir Johnson $34 million over 5 years? Please. It’s going to be a miserable year north of the border for the Raptors.

New York Knicks (29-53, Missed Playoffs): B-

Amar’e Stoudemire is a great get for the Knicks, but can he really be a difference maker for them? After all, he’s not that much of an upgrade over David Lee, and no one has seen what he can do without Steve Nash’s wizardry. Donnie Walsh’s plan was to snag two A-List free agents off the market, and he didn’t come through. Raymond Felton’s a good point guard, but $8 million a year is a little steep for someone who hasn’t shown he can be an elite player. Andy Rautins and Landry Fields aren’t going to set the court on fire either. All this notwithstanding, the Knicks have an outside shot at the playoffs this year even in the talented Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia 76ers (27-55, Missed Playoffs): B+

The Sixers’ biggest addition came via the draft in Evan Turner, who figures to be a poor man’s Brandon Roy within a couple years in the NBA. When you add on Jrue Holiday’s development at the point and the swap of Samuel Dalembert for Spencer Hawes, and it’s pretty promising lineup to go along with Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young. If new coach Doug Collins (another plus) can figure out how to motivate Elton Brand, this team could surprise a lot of people this year.

New Jersey Nets (12-70, Missed Playoffs): F

New owner Mikhail Prokhorov wants a championship within five years, but his Nets were the only key players to strike out in the pursuit of top-of-the-line free agents. Instead of reeling in LeBron, Chris Bosh, or Carlos Boozer, the Nets overpaid Travis Outlaw and brought in three role players in Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmar, and Johan Petro. While the team will inevitably improve its record as Brook Lopez improves and Devin Harris bounces back, this summer was a total disappointment for the Newark Nets.

• Dwyane Wade’s putting free agency on hold for Father’s Day tomorrow.

• The Philadelphia 76ers say that their trade with the Kings will not alter their draft plans, likely hinting that their selection will be Ohio State’s Evan Turner.

PHILADELPHIA – Samuel Dalembert got his wish.

The Philadelphia 76ers traded Dalembert to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday for Andres Nocioni and Spencer Hawes.

Dalembert asked for a trade last year because he was unhappy with his role. Now, he got it.

“We are excited to add two players in Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni who will help us immediately and provide us with additional frontcourt depth,” Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski said in a statement. “Spencer is a young seven-footer who will provide us with versatility at the center position, while Andres will provide us with a tough veteran presence.”

Dalembert was Philadelphia’s longest-tenured player, but he played for seven different coaches and never developed into a dominant force after being drafted in the first round in 2001. The 6-foot-11 center averaged 8.1 points and 8.3 rebounds in eight seasons with the Sixers and often was mentioned in trade rumors.

He joins a team that was 25-57 and had the second-worst record in the Western Conference.

The Kings acquire a solid defensive presence and a mammoth expiring contract all in one, and they deal Hawes probably to make room for a big man in the draft like DeMarcus Cousins or Greg Monroe.

The Sixers continue the rebuilding process and get rid of their disgruntled center.