the big break, reconsidered

Okay, now after the trades have been made and we can see where people are going, I can make some predictions and give grades out to all...

ATLANTA - great trade for Bibby. Their bench is a little thin now, but they can easily grab a playoff spot without any injuries. I see them winning 40 games and losing in the first round... but it's a step.

BOSTON - just want to see if Sam Cassell does get cut and if they move. They're going to win 60 easy, but will they get past Detroit and/or Cleveland?

CHARLOTTE - no moves. They need another big guy in the draft to get anywhere. No playoffs.

CHICAGO - some have killed them for this trade, but at least they didn't give up any of their young stars. They can see who plays well for the rest of the season and then make moves. Yes, they're likely stuck with Larry Hughes, but they didn't commit to Ben Gordon anyway. This isn't over for them; we'll see how the summer goes. As for the playoffs now, I kinda doubt it, but they could sneak in there.

CLEVELAND - the busiest team completely changed itself... for the better? Ben Wallace brings more D but less O than Drew Gooden. Wally can shoot, but can't guard anyone. I guess they want to give Pavlovic more minutes. I do love Delonte West on this team to fill in for Gibson, but this is a weird trade: they go down in pure talent but get pieces who fit better. At least they can say that they'll still have lots of expiring contracts next year if it doesn't work (Damon Jones, Snow, Wally, Joe Smith). They could try again, and they qualmed LB for now.

Do they make the finals again? I like Boston and Detroit better, but I give them more of a shot than I did.

DALLAS - I like the Kidd trade. I do. I just think that he and Jason Terry in the backcourt is better than what they had. Losing Diop was bad, but they could pick someone up off waivers soon, and they wanted to give Brandon Bass more time. Depending on matchups, they could lose in the first round or make it all the way. I think it will be in the middle.

DENVER - so glad they didn't make the Artest trade. They need to see if they can salvage JR Smith or Nene or K Mart first. And they should play Kleiza at the four. They're going to struggle with the playoffs, but they could make it in.

DETROIT - shrewd moves have pushed them right back near the top. They now have the depth they haven't lately, and they'll be more focused than they were the past two years. Cleveland and Boston will push them, but I'd say they are the slight faves in the East.

GOLDEN STATE - no moves other than getting Webber, who seems a little redundant. They will once again be a dangerous low seed, but nothing more. They could miss the postseason if they can't beat out Denver and Houston.

HOUSTON - some small moves that helped, but not much in changes. They just want to get healthy. I think they make it, but this may not be the year they finally get out of the first round, unless they get a good matchup.

INDIANA - surprised that they did not trade JO. He has been hurt, but they need to retool. They're stuck in the bad place between playoffs and really starting over. They could sneak in, but would that change anything? This summer, they will have to do something.

LA CLIPPERS - no moves, still waiting for word on Brand and Livingston. They have to make some decisions soon. A nice pick will help.

LA LAKERS - the best run team this year. Who could see Mitch Kupchak as the exec of the year? Gasol will help them stay afloat, but I don't think they make the finals this year. They're still growing, and the other west powers have loaded teams. But next year, and for the next few years, they might be the faves.

MEMPHIS - just end this franchise already. They don't care.

MIAMI - nice rebuilding kick-start with the Shaq trade. With a top draft pick, they can fill out some spaces quickly. They can take a look at Earl Barron, Alex Johnson, and Marcus Banks, in the meantime.

MILWAUKEE - they want to win now, so they will push for the playoffs, but they just don't have enough. Too many perimeter guys, no defense, no toughness. They might be better off trading some people, but they'll wait.

MINNESOTA - slolwy building and seeing who works. Gerald Green wasn't, so getting rid of him was okay. They'll get some contracts off the books, and another high pick, and they can start to put something together ... eventually.

NEW JERSEY - they needed to make the Kidd trade, and they have a good nuclues now. They can draft a scoring big man and maybe trade Vince in the summer, and they'll be okay. THey should shut everyone down for now.

NEW ORLEANS - a few nice moves to tweak the roster, and they've been great. I still can't see them making the finals or even the conference finals, and I suspect they will cool down, but it has been a great year no matter what.

NEW YORK - typical Isiah: this team is ready to kill each other, he has a lot of options, and he does nothing. I want an implosion. At least they'll finally be keeping their lottery pick.

ORLANDO - surprised that they did not add a real two guard or power forward, but they like their system for now. I guess. They can probably make it out of the first round, but no more. They need to address some spots this summer.

PHILLY - my boys did nothing, even though I was leaning towards trading Andre Miller and saving space/draft picks and losing. Now, they have a legitimate shot to make the playoffs. Is it worth it? I don't know. I think they need another good big man, and they're not getting it this way.

PHOENIX - we'll have to see in the playoffs if the Shaq trade works, but I'm more worried about them giving up all the draft picks. they could use them now -they're lacking depth. I think it's a toos up between them and the Spurs again, with the Lakers and Mavs hunting.

PORTLAND - they've cooled down, but will be a force in the next few years. A dynamic force.

SACRAMENTO - the Bibby trade had to be kind of disappointing, considering they got one decent chip (Shelden) and didn't give up contracts. Atlanta might have taken more people, but they didn't have anyone to give. Also, they kept Artest, which is still an unknown. A late lottery pick won't help; they need to make more deals.

SAN ANTONIO - they made an excellent deal in picking up Kurt Thomas. They might miss Barry's shooting, but they could still bring him back or grab someone else. They should be the faves.... but how do they deal with all these tough teams?

SEATTLE - they're creating space and getting draft picks to build around Durant. That's smart. Too bad their owners are crooks. Seattle, a great city, will not get to see these kids mature.

TORONTO - a small move, but they have a solid team. They could use a real wing soon, but they get by for now. They could make it to the second round, but that's it.

UTAH - the Korver move was great for all. That's all they really needed. This team could go far if not for everyone else. I don't know if they can take down SAN or PHX or even DAL, but they might be able to get pretty far.

WASHINGTON - no moves, as they will wait to see if they sign Jamison and Arenas. They'll make the playoffs but not go anywhere.