NBA Team Needs

This has been a nightmare year for many NBA teams. Teams have either been plagued with injuries (Lakers, Phoenix, Boston, Houston), bad coaching (Chicago, Phoenix), bad management (Phoenix) or have just been through a rebuilding phase (too many to list). A lot of teams are struggling. Even the best teams can get a lot better, so I would like to address every team's needs for this season and upcoming ones, if success is out of reach for them this year.

Atlanta Hawks

Size of teeth disproportionate to production on court

It seemed like they were destined for great things after the 7-game Boston series but they are having a very similar season to last year's. Some missing players (Childress) and some injuries (Horford) could be the blame but I think it is more a mix of being too young and having leaders that are not very good at leading (Bibby, Johnson). They have a very talented team but everyone seems to be happy to underachieve. Josh Smith and Marvin Williams could be playing much better, but seem complacent. They need a guy that will motivate them and if it can't be the coach, then it has to be a veteran that isn't quiet (Johnson) or obnoxious (Bibby). I heard Sam Cassell is free. By the time they're good enough to compete, I'm sure they will decide to send Joe Johnson to another rebuilding team.

Boston Celtics


Only in shape during the off season

Never have I seen such a good team have such glaring deficiencies. They have two inexperienced backup power forwards (Powe, Davis). One is fat and both get too many fouls. Both thought they would start during KGs absence but both got slighted since the red headed one (Scal) spreads the court. They also don't have a backup point guard (Sorry Eddie House, but you pass as much as Wilt Chamberlain. And I mean the buried and dead Wilt; not the one that played basketball). Last year PJ Brown was an asset and Sam Cassell was a liability. They've basically broken even, so hopefully they'll get better with their selections. It would have been nice to get Nocioni since the absence of Posey is notable, but they will have to settle for the oft injured Tony Allen. Mikki Moore will help with his size and athleticism. He is the perfect guy to come off the bench. Even though they felt like they may have settled for him (after Joe Smith decided to stay with OKC) I think he addresses more of what they need in the front court. I have a feeling Stephon will be a model citizen, not because he's a nice guy but because he wants to prove everyone wrong and show NY what they're missing. He's also in a contract year.

Charlotte Bobcats

They've already addressed an issue with the J-Rich trade. They go two solid players instead of one borderline problem player. They have two really good point guards so they probably should have traded one to sure up their center position. I would like to see them move Emeka over to the PF. A combo of Vlad Rad and Diaw in your front court is too soft to compete with most teams. Hopefully Hasheem Thabeet will be available when they make their draft choice.

Chicago Bulls


Not in charge for long

Absolutely nothing except a new coach.

Cleveland Cavaliers

They will need plenty in 2010, but who cares anyway right?

Should have traded Wally for anything and anyone. Wally can't defend against any Boston player....or any player in general.

They will look to sign whomever gets rejected by Boston.

Dallas Mavericks


He wants everyone to be educated on flags and black people

They need a screaming mad man to pump some adrenaline into this mechanical team. This is actually a team that could use some attitude. They need some pompous jerk that isn't complacent from smoking too much weed.

They also need more offense. When Josh and Dirk sit, it's downright embarrassing on offense. I still don't see why Gerald Green doesn't come in during those instances. Sure he doesn't play defense but at least Dallas will be on SportsCenter for the first time all year.

Denver Nuggets


Jared for MVP!

They made the best possible move already and now they just have to wait for those things to fall into place even more so. I see good things for this team, but I still think JR Smith is an asshole.

Detroit Pistons

Total rebuild just about. AI might be seen as a bust but they will have a ton of cap room and they will be able to get a solid PF out of the deal. With the way things are going they might get a decent draft pick as well. ;)

Golden State


Monta Ellis is like the JV version of Jay Williams

They have some good young pieces, but nothing seems to fit. They can score in large numbers, but their defense is atrocious. Every player is talented at every position but they're too young and the coach doesn't seem to preach discipline. Their team leader was once the shame of the entire NBA. I don't know if they need anything other than accountability.

Houston Rockets


Houston's new team shoe

In a race with the Phoenix Suns to see who can be the biggest disappointment. To win that, they just need one more injury.

Indiana Pacers

If only they could play the four best teams in the NBA over and over, they would be around .900

They need another SG and someone to backup Troy Murphy. The draft is pretty deep. I could see them landing Jrue Holiday and letting him know that he isn't a point guard.

They need to deal with the Jamal Tinsley situation. If they buy him out, look for the Celtics to pick him up, unless he's 50 pounds overweight hanging out in some other country.

LA Clippers


A picture of LA's second biggest disaster

I don't see any worthwhile pieces. Baron is injury prone and can't lead. Kaman is injury prone and goofy. Thornton is destined to be 15 and 7 for life. Eric Gordon will try to sign with someone else just to shed the horrible uniform and to play with others who deserve to be in the NBA. They need a new coach and new personnel. While they're at it, they should change their name since "Clippers" has become synonymous with failure.

LA Lakers

Kobe did this to himself after watching Sasha play defense on Ray Allen

Everyone praises their depth, which they have to some degree, but they are very slow footed at PG and Rondo will exploit that. So will Mo Williams, if Cleveland gets lucky. The truth is, if they don't get some speed at that position, Tony Parker will exploit it and they won't even see Boston or Cleveland.

Memphis Grizzlies

I liked Kyle Lowry, he played great defense; but giving Conley some confidence was also a good move. I love the pieces they have so far and with a good draft they could grab another PG to shake Conley's confidence. Or they could be smart and upgrade the frontcourt.

Miami Heat


He doesn't play as big as he should

They thought they were getting a good forward but instead got an insecure head case. Hopefully he develops or they might need to get another forward. Oh regrets, management must have missed this.

Milwaukee Bucks


Over two dozen sold

Their 2 best players are injured, their draft was a bust and no one cares about them. Yet they're still hovering around 500. Although I like Ramon and Luke, I think they're weakest at PG and the draft has plenty of them.

Minnesota Timberwolves

They need McCants back and 11 other players just like him.

Just kidding.

They need a point guard and a backup for Foye that isn't married to Whitney.

New Orleans Hornets


Tyson was instantly reminded of Hornet's management

I think some God out there loves the Hornets, because they tried to implode and one little (big) toe wouldn't let them.

New York Knicks


He even wears street clothes in video games

They could have used a faster, more athletic big man. Someone like Amar'e but with a better eyeball. I could see them snatching Joe Alexander next year and making a man out of him. Of course this team will stay about as good as they are now until around 2010.

New Jersey Nets


The Lopez twins grew up so fast!

They're really lucky they picked the right brother.

Orlando Magic


JJ Redick's new look

I thought they were done when Jameer went down. Then they got two solid point guards in less than a week. I didn't know there were that many solid point guards in the league.

Oklahoma City Thunder


They don't look like they're rebuilding, do they?

My pick for most improved team next year. Durant and Westbrook are downright scary. I like the addition of Krstic so they don't have to play the weird 7 footers they drafted with the retarded management they had before. They're going to have a great draft pick and I think they should trade it for a really good veteran and sneak their way into the playoffs as an 8 seed.

Phoenix Suns


This photo was taken 1 week ago

They need a backup PG; they have always needed one. Nate Robinson would have been nice and Rondo would have been pretty good. Maybe they shouldn't trade away whoever they draft this year.

Philadelphia 76ers


Elton's Brand

A healthy Brand isn't going to do the trick; they need someone more athletic. They would have been better off with Corey Maggette. Andre Miller is going to leave town next year and they will need a point guard. However, none are available except this guy.

Portland Trailblazers

They're really lucky that they have the best backup center in the league. It is really hard to say what this team needs because they mainly just need to develop. I love their coaching, their athleticism, their depth, and their leadership. A lot of their talent is raw and tender, but if you don't think he looks like Hakeem right here, you're crazy.

Sacramento Kings


He was so loyal to the Kings, he refused to play well for any other team

I might have to write a whole other article just on this team. Not only are they horrible, they aren't fun to watch either. Their best player has no personality and their second best player would easily be waived by any of the top 4 teams. If you combined the best players from the Kings and the Clippers, they would still lose to UCLA.

San Antonio Spurs


Youth Movement

Everyone thought they were too old (and they are), but all the other teams got worse, so they're back in the top 5 teams in the league. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and three guys in wheelchairs would still be above .500

Toronto Raptors


Don't worry kid, they're actually harmless.

Too slow to be run and gun and too small to be good in the half court. Bosh is leaving anyway so does anything matter for this team? At least they will have plenty of cap space.

Utah Jazz


Where have the real men gone?

First off I want to say Deron is not as good as Chris Paul. Not even close. That being, said he's the second best point guard in the league. Please stop looking for comparisons between them, there are none. I love Sloan; he should be coach of the year this year. I like their depth and if they can stay healthy, I like their chances to go deep into the playoffs. Bad seeding will be their early demise. They could use a defensive-minded backup point guard that isn't 5'10.

Washington Wizards


Gandalf isn't the only wizard you should be crying about

I don't like Blatche; he isn't starting material. Jamison, Butler, and Arenas couldn't make it happen when they all were healthy so until they get new pieces to help those guys (bigger front court, better bench), they will be between 1st round losers for years to come.

-JW