If you’re like a lot of people, you haven’t paid much attention to the NBA this offseason. After the long lockout, a lot of people simply didn’t care who went where. If you’re going to watch the season, though, and especially if you’re going to bet on it, you need to know the big moves that happened. No need to jump on Bing to find out; we’ll tell you here.
The biggest offseason stories involved Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, and Brandon Roy. The Portland Trailblazers lost superstar Roy through no fault of their own. Roy was determined to come back from his latest knee surgeries, but shortly before training camp he realized something was wrong. His knees weren’t going to get better. After 6 knee surgeries, Roy is without the meniscus in both knees. After only five years in the NBA, Roy was forced to retire. The Blazers picked up guard Jamaal Crawford in the offseason, which should help alleviate the loss, but no one can replace a player like Roy.
As for Chris Paul, the dynamic point guard was set to go to the Lakers in a trade, but NBA Commissioner David Stern vetoed the trade. The Lakers were furious and are considering suing the league, but in the meantime Paul went across town to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers also added Chauncey Billips, Caron Butler and DeAndre Jordan, giving them the most improved roster in the league.
As for Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic fans were put on suicide watch when it came out that he requested a trade. The New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are the top choices to land him, but the Magic have said that they won’t trade him. If Howard stays, the Magic should contend, but if he leaves the team will do nothing.
If you’re betting on who will make the Finals, it’s always the safest bets to pick the teams that were best last year, as long as there wasn’t a roster overhaul or big injury. The world champion Mavericks lost Tyson Chandler and Caron Butler, so they are a big question mark. Those were the team’s two best defenders, though Butler was unavailable for their playoff run. The Miami Heat needed some help at center and point guard and did nothing to address that, instead acquiring Shane Battier, who they don’t need. Still, the Heat are loaded with talent with the Big Three.
The oddsmakers have Miami as most likely to win the championship, at 5/2. They are followed by the Lakers (11/2), Chicago Bulls (13/2), Oklahoma City Thunder (7/1), Boston Celtics (8/1) and Dallas Mavericks (8/1).