Written by: Stan Park
This year’s trade deadline was much too anti-climactic for my tastes as an avid NBA fan. Sure, there were a few major deals that went through, but I think the deal we all wanted to see was Amare to anywhere but Cleveland. That would have definitely been an interesting precursor to the highly anticipated free agent bonanza coming this July 1st.
Nonetheless, like I said, there were a few major acquisitions by a couple contenders, namely Cleveland and Dallas. While the Cavs’ deal for Antawn Jamison surely has potential to impact our Lakers in the near future, we can’t get that ahead of ourselves because we make our home in the BIG BAD WEST.
Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks are clearly not waiting for this summer to add crucial pieces to make a legitimate run at the NBA Finals. I would honestly have to say that they made the biggest deal in terms of immediate impact before the trade deadline. With a 3-1 record since the trade, you can tell already feel the difference with Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood on the floor, most notably on defense.
The question that I think we all have is, “do they have what it takes to beat us?” As much as I’d love to be hasty and firmly deny the Mavs of any chance of dethroning our Lakers in this year’s playoffs, the analytic fan in me simply will not allow that to happen. I HAVE TO BREAK IT DOWN.
Next: What is their impact?
Comments