Now that football season is over, it's time to turn our attention back to basketball. The 2011 NBA season has been one of the most exciting in recent memory.
In exactly two weeks, this already unforgettable season can become even more jaw-dropping: at the NBA trade deadline. However, before we venture into the details of NBA trades, let's recap what has made this season so great.
The Lakers have finally faltered; the 42-8 Spurs are executing the plans of the brilliant Gregg Popovich; the star-studded Heat have far from disappointed; and another legend has been born: the rim-rattling Blake Griffin, who is the first rookie to make the All-Star game since Yao Ming. So if you haven't started following the NBA this season, get on that.
As the trade deadline looms, the extent to which deadline trades can affect the NBA's dynamic is often up for debate. Consider the blockbuster December deals that sent Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu to the Magic. While they were supposed to mimic the effectiveness of this year's Miami Heat, the Magic have instead received lackluster performances from Richardson, Arenas and company.
This mistake by Magic general manager Otis Smith may have helped put the brakes on the Denver Nuggets' blockbuster trade that reportedly would have involved almost a dozen players. Carmelo Anthony, the focal point of this trade, was likely at the forefront of its eventual reconsideration. After all, why would 'Melo want to leave a promising Denver team that has a 30-22 record?
Yet it remains a possibility that the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers or some other NBA club could get a hold of the superstar forward. Anthony's fate will continue to be this year's top story after the trade deadline.
There are several other deals not involving Anthony that could be made before the deadline as well. First, the Orlando Magic would be wise to make another trade as soon as possible. Their guard-flooded scheme has no chance of competing with the likes of Boston and Miami, two teams with great depth off the bench.
Additionally, it is painfully obvious that the window of opportunity has closed for the Phoenix Suns, who are in desperate need of rebuilding. The Suns have already made progress by signing defensive specialist Mickael Pietrus and NBA all-star Vince Carter to add some veteran experience. But Phoenix still sorely needs a stud in the paint. It may not be a bad idea to trade point Steve Nash for a force under the rim and possibly an additional first-round draft pick.
The next potential trade deadline move benefits a single player more than it does a team. Antawn Jamison, who is averaging 17.2 points per game this season in Cleveland, should leave the 8-44 Cavaliers for a team that he can actually help. The New Orleans Hornets may be a great fit for him, while Emeka Okafor, who doesn't really fit well with the Hornets, could perhaps join Cleveland's losing escapade of 25 games in a row.
Lastly, it is important to note that the New Jersey Nets have actually been looking promising after their dismal 12-70 2009-10 season. One way they can improve their chances of success is to pursue the Spanish phenom Ricky Rubio, who has yet to play in the NBA but recently expressed an interest in playing for the Nets. After witnessing the Nets' heavy pursuit of Anthony over the past few months, it is clear that this franchise, now owned by the Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, can afford almost anyone who is willing to comply. Perhaps New Jersey can trade guard Devin Harris to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the legal rights to Ricky Rubio.
Regardless of what happens in the coming weeks, this season will be one for the ages, and we should be in for a highly entertaining second half.
