Sport-Blog.com

By Ed Jennett


The second part of this six part series goes from one of the worse divisions in the NBA to arguably the best. The Central Division should be the pride and joy of the NBA, as it is home to the best club in the league (Detroit), and a solid playoff team (Cleveland). Also in the division are two playoff hopefuls (Indiana and Milwaukee). The train-wreck known as the Chicago Bulls round out the division, proving that nothing in life is perfect.

One of these things is not like the others. One of these things just is not the same. The Chicago Bulls are definitely the black sheep of the Central Division. Not only are the Bulls only team in the division with no realistic chance of making the playoffs, they have been exposed this season as being completely classless. From the ridiculous handling of former Bull Eddy Curry during the offseason, to GM John Paxson continuing to talk about the center (and his health issues) after he was traded, to putting former Bull PF/C Antonio Davis in the team calendar after he was traded and publicly pining for his release from the New York Knicks so he could return, to the lack of security in the United Center that lead Davis to leap into the stand to protect his wife from fans, the Bulls have gone from one embarrassing incident to the next. While doing so they have also ended up in last place of the division.

There is one way for the Bulls to get better quickly, making a huge trade. The most interesting Bulls trade rumor has them sending the expiring contract of banished SF Tim Thomas, SG Ben Gordon and/or draft picks to the Boston Celtics for SG/SF Paul Pierce. Because the draft this year is weak the Bulls would be better off trading their two first-round picks with Thomas instead of Gordon. Celtics GM Danny Ainge has never heard a trade proposal that rips off his team that he did not like, so something would finally go right for Chicago this year. In fact, Chicago might even be able to get away with just sending one of the picks.

The Cleveland Cavaliers got some help for LeBron James this past offseason, but it was not the right kind of help and it was not enough. The biggest needs of the team were a point guard and a shooter, which would respectively take the pressure of ball-handling off of James and spread the floor.

Cleveland deserves credit for bringing in a very good starter (SG Larry Hughes) and two good bench players (PG Damon Jones and PF Donyell Marshall). But the shooting guard that the Cavs really wanted and needed was Michael Redd, who re-signed with Milwaukee. Redd is a shooter, while Hughes is a slasher. Redd is also better and more durable than Hughes. While Marshall and Jones are shooters they are at their best when someone sets up their shots, as opposed to a shooter like Redd who draws coverage and opens up the floor for teammates. Since Jones is more of a shooting guard in the body of a point guard than a true point guard, the need for a legitimate point guard to start ahead of incumbent starter PG Eric Snow was not filled.

What do you give to someone who has everything? That question would seem to apply to the Detroit Pistons, but it really does not. If you look very closely you will see the one flaw on what has, so far, been the best team in the league. What may turn out to be the downfall of the Pistons is hidden by the excellence of their five starters. Detroit does not have a bench. Ideal bench players check into the game and provide something, whether it is offense, defense, rebounding, energy, etc. Those bench players are giving their team valuable minutes. The Detroit subs simply come in and eat up minutes.

While the Detroit starting five has no problem carrying the team, this could become an issue later in the year or in the playoffs if there is an injury. One of the starters could also get into foul trouble or simply be outplayed by someone on the opposition. Despite being a candidate for being declared one of the biggest busts of all time, PF/C Darko Millicic is the Piston most likely to be traded. Millicic has huge upside, but the question is whether or not being traded to a team where he would get more minutes would allow him to live up to his potential. Since Millicic has not been able to get significant minutes under either Head Coach Flip Saunders or former Head Coach Larry Brown, and has not been able to beat out washed up veterans PF/C Elden Campbell and PF/C Dale Davis to earn more playing time, it is very likely that he will not become the super star many experts predicted he will. Detroit should trade him now while he still has value.

The Indiana Pacers got the trading frenzy started when they finally completed the long rumored trade of SF Ron Artest to the Sacramento Kings for SF Peja Stojakovic. While the incredible defense of Artest will be missed, the distractions to the club caused by his insane behavior will not be missed.

If the Pacers can ever get healthy (PF/C Jermaine O’Neal is out for several weeks with a torn groin muscle) they could go on a run and lock up a playoff spot. Indiana is not expected to make any more moves but will still be a tough opponent for whatever team has the misfortune of meeting them in the postseason.

Another team that is not expected to be very active before the trading deadline is the Milwaukee Bucks. Their big move was made before the season began when SF Desmond Mason and a 2006 first-round pick were dealt to the Oklahoma City/New Orleans Hornets for PF/C Jamaal Magloire.

Ironically, it is Magloire who is the Buck most likely to be shipped out. His contract is up after the 2006-07 season and small-market Milwaukee might not be willing and/or able to re-sign him. If a great offer is made the team could trade him now to avoid risking him losing him as an unrestricted free agent without compensation next summer.