With the NBA season set to tip off on the 27th, we are close to embarking on possibly the most exciting season of basketball we've had in years. To get our loyal readers prepared for this, we at CraveOnline are giving you the rehash on the five biggest moves in the offseason and how they may effect their new teams.
Shaquille O'Neal
From: Phoenix Suns To: Cleveland Cavaliers
The Big Diesel joins the King, LeBron James, for another run at a Championship. Dubbed 'The Witness Protection', Shaq gives the Cavs a much needed inside force to deal with the likes of Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, and either of the top contenders in the west, the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs.
Risk/Reward Factor: Despite what most critics suggest, there is little risk and tons of possible reward in this signing. The Cavs are getting a motivated, in shape, future Hall of Fame player that has at least one more run left in the tank. An added luxury for Shaq is that the Cavs will be able to rest him periodically throughout the season, as the Cavs have retained longtime starter 'Big Z' Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Ron Artest
From Houston Rockets: To: Los Angeles Lakers
Ron Artest is the most talented head case in the NBA. He averaged 17 pts, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in the Houston Rockets injury plagued 2008-09 campaign. He replaces a vital piece to last years Lakers run, Trevor Ariza, who essentially swapped places with Artest and went to Houston.
Risk/Reward Factor: The risk factor is far higher than the reward on this addition. Of course, you can't improve on a Championship season, only hope to repeat it. The interaction between Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest will be interesting to watch but the chief concern has to be Artest's possible influence in the locker room. The Laker team isn't the closest team to begin with and adding a personality like Artest has a high chance to backfire.
Vince Carter
From: New Jersey Nets To: Orlando Magic
Vinsanity hits Orlando in what could be a Championship run. Replacing the clutch shooting of Hedo Turkoglu is the main task for Vince Carter as he joins the Magic, who are coming off a season that saw them represent the East in the NBA Finals.
Risk/Reward Factor: Even up is what I'd call it. Vince Carter is a proven commodity in the league and still has a lot left in the tank. The high risk factor goes to the entire Orlando Magic organization who has taken a team that thrived on it's unpredictability last season and made them conventional.
Rasheed Wallace
From: Detroit Pistons To: Boston Celtics
The second most talented headcase in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace is a talented big man who can hit the three. He's a proven champion who has the hardware to prove it. His joining a healthy Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo might be the recipe for a return to glory.
Risk/Reward Factor: The risk outweighs the reward because frankly, the Celtics don't need Sheed as much as Sheed needs the Celtics. With 'The Big Three' healthy, this team is capable of winning it all. They have proven that already. With Sheed, they get a talented guy who disappears at times on the court and is a technical foul waiting to happen every two seconds.
Richard Jefferson
From: Milwaukee Bucks To: San Antonio Spurs
Richard Jefferson infuses championship life back into a San Antonio Spurs team that has looked decidedly old and beat up in recent years. He's a tough player who packs a wallop on both sides of the court. Basically he's exactly the type of player the Spurs covet.
Risk/Reward Factor: This move is all about reward. The addition of Jefferson returns the Spurs to relevance in the West and may be the piece that gets them another ring. I would have to call this one the no-brainer of the summer.
