The Rich Get Richer

Parity be damned! Give me a league where we have 8-10 juggernauts, a handful of up and comers and the rest be paupers. But Brendan, a situation where ever team has a chance to win is a good thing....oh really??? You like having more than half the NFL at .500 or below? I THINK NOT! Maybe parity works in baseball where many of its fans are socialites, out for a nice, relaxing summer night hoping to catch an exciting game, not caring much at all who is the victor. This doesn't work on the hardwood folks. Most consider the Golden Age of the NBA to be the late 80's early 90's...why you ask? Dominant teams in major cities with superstar talent...the Lakers, Pacers, Bulls, Cavs, Pistons, 76ers, Celtics, Knicks, Trailblazers...each with a chance to win it all year in and year out. Isn't that better than one or two kings and the rest beggars??? That's why I love what's happening with the Association right now...let's take a look at how some of the league's best have gotten better!

Spurs: The least publicized, most underrated move of a frenetic free agency period, but a move that I'd argue is as important as any other. San Antonio and TD looked old last year...RJ will add 2 or 3 more solid years to the Virgin Islander's aging legs. And don't forget the signing of Antonio McDyess...not the sexiest of moves, but the guy knows how to win.

Lakers: Yea losing Trevor Ariza is a big blow, but if they can hold on to The Candyman, the Lakers are loaded once again. Mr. Artest will add toughness and tenacity to the La La Land Lakers...look for those periods of disinterest that Los Angeles showed in last year's playoffs to be a thing of the past. The Zen Master will get the best out of Ron.

Celtics: Rasheed is a perfect compliment to The Big Three...can dominate a game without the ball and will help guard the likes of Shaq and Dwight. He needs a coach he can respect and Doc is the man, KG will have his ass in check anyway.

Cavs: The Big Cactus returns to the East...The Big Buckeye now??? Shaq will certainly help Cleveland's interior defense and at least take some pressure off The King, but this obviously is not a long-term solution. I applaud Danny Ferry for going balls to the wall and landing The Big Aristotle, but you have to do better than this!

Magic: Out goes one ball hog, in comes another! Everyone and their mother knew Hedo would go to the highest bidder, but few people saw Vincanity heading south. My Carolina Heart loves Vince, my head doesn't, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say this will work. This is Dwight's team VC, be smart...pour in 15-20 a night, play some solid defense (I know you have it in you) and ride the wave. Relieve yourself of being in that class of ballers...you know the ones that couldn't give a damn about winning a championship. Chapel Hill taught you better!

Mavs: Great move keeping J-Kidd and getting The Matrix...Mark Cuban's Crew looked to be fading a bit, but this puts them right back in the thick of things in the West. Dirk has to be thrilled!

Rockets: With Yao possibly being done for his career, we will see right away if Trevor Ariza was merely the product of a great system. Get rid of T-Mac and build around the 24-year old. Houston still has a great crop of second tier talent..Battier, Scola, Aaron Brooks and Carl Landry.

Pistons: Well Ben, you finally got what you wanted...out of The Windy City and into Motown. Are you really just a sixth man, will you embrace Detroit's brand of physical defense, will you ever record an assist??? All these questions are left to be answered, but the move, along with Charlie Villaneuva, is definitely one in the right direction.

Raptors: Apparently a personal call from Chris Bosh led Hedo north ehhh. Toronto has a nice squad if they can wrap up Bosh, following the long-term extension recently signed by Andrea Bargnani. Hedo, you clearly spurned the Blazers for more loot...now you better get the job done son!

Hawks: Resign Mike Bibby...after so many sub par years, the team and this city may finally be gaining some stability.

This surely won't signal the end of the wheeling and dealing. Just yesterday, we got word of a potential Carlos Boozer to the Bulls deal. As a purist, I'd love to see Boozer stay in Utah and along with Deron Williams become the second-coming of Stockton to Malone. The fans, some of the NBA's loudest and proudest, have embraced you wholeheartedly Carlos, do the right thing...your boys just wrapped up Mehmet Okur for two more years...keep the team intact!

And how about AI to the Grizzlies....clearly a PR, let's sell tickets move, but hey, good for Memphis....I just hope The Answer doesn't spoil the potential of OJ Mayo.

These moves combined with the news that the NBA has lowered the salary cap for 2010 may have us on the cusp of the NBA's second Golden Age!!! Goddammit, if only the Knicks could get their act together!

Oh well, I still Love This Game!