Teams that will Regress in 2007-08
Some NBA Clubs will Regret their Lack of Activity this Summer
Sep 2, 2007
NBA clubs such as Portland, Memphis, Boston and Orlando have made changes this summer that give rise to optimism in their respective cities. Other teams, however, weren’t able to improve their rosters during the offseason. As a consequence, these teams might take a step backwards when all is said and done at the end of the 2007-08 campaign.
Los Angeles Clippers
The annual offseason injury to an All-Star was seemingly handed out to “Clipper Nation” this summer. Elton Brand suffered a torn Achilles tendon, and the most optimistic opinion for his return is by midseason. Remember, that’s what they said about Amare Stoudemire after his microfracture surgery in the summer of 2005.
If the Clippers are smart, they’ll let Brand take the full season off to recover. By so doing, L.A. will almost assuredly have one of the worst records in the league, and put themselves in a position to draft well next summer. By the following season, a high-profile draft pick will hopefully join a healthy Brand to start the road back to respectability for L.A.’s “other” team.
Miami Heat
At the end of last season, Heat fans and staff could say that their lack of success was a result of the late-season shoulder injury to Dwyane Wade. If/when Wade returns this season at 100%, he may find his work harder than ever before. This is thanks to Miami’s inability to not only lure mid-level free agents, but the club’s inability to keep its own.
Jason Kapono, the league’s leading 3-point shooter last season, bolted for Toronto, leaving Miami without a single consistent outside threat. This could spell disaster, as opposing defenses will simply clog the lane against Shaq and Wade’s inside forays to the rim.
Miami was also unable to obtain a decent point guard to replace the oft-injured Jason Williams. Their consolation prize (if it qualifies as that) is former Laker Smush Parker. The obvious question is that if Parker was in the doghouse of the relatively laid-back Phil Jackson, how long will he last under Pat Riley’s good graces?
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs best-case scenario is that they improve internally and all the other Eastern Conference teams that have made wholesale changes will take time to form chemistry. In the Finals, Cleveland’s weaknesses as a team were exposed to the world. If it hadn’t been for historic performances by Lebron James, the Cavs probably wouldn’t have made it the Finals in the first place.
If James continues to play the small forward position, a better point guard needs to be found. In fact, a better offensive scheme that maximizes James’ talent without minimizing that of his teammates would help Cleveland more than any personnel changes. Without adding a decent floor general and consistent outside shooter, however, the Cavs may find themselves standing still while some of their conference foes move past them.
