Question

[OMagic1989]

How are you all feeling now that the trade dust has settled?

I was glad Amare did not go to Cavs but other than that it was not a good day for anyone else.

We can hold out hope that Ilgauskas will not go back to Cleveland but it most likely will happen.

Nate on the Celts is not good eother IMO he can score in bunches and can turn a game around with Boston's defense. Not good.

Oh well maybe David can slay goliath and the refs. Sigh.

[evildallas]

Hola, Magic Fan. My quick opinions:

I would have preferred Amare go to Cleveland over Jamison because I had serious doubts about them integrating Amare successfully this year. Jamison was my worst case acquisition for them because I think he integrates easily and Washington was sure to buy out Big Z (I already ranted about the likely return to Cleveland which sucks). Cleveland became much more dangerous in my opinion.

Conversely, Nate on Boston doesn't scare me at all. He's a step up to Eddie House and will invigorate their bench, but I consider him a minor tweak to a team that needed something major. Boston's vets can carry them easily over weaker teams, but against Atlanta and Orlando I don't see them winning a 7 game series either due to athleticism or style. Furthermore, in my opinion, not dealing Ray Allen closes their championship window. They're still a good team, but they aren't going to be a legitimate threat to get to the finals with this squad anymore. BTW, I don't really consider us a legitimate threat to get their either. If we somehow made it past round 2, the conference finals would be a wall.

On the other trades:
Charlotte's acquisition of Tyrus Thomas doesn't worry me. I just don't think he'll get it well enough to be a factor. Ratliff has little left.
I think Chicago dumped salary without getting worse, but didn't get better either.
I didn't think Milwaukee got enough reward to take on Salmons salary, but still might make the playoffs.

Finally in our division, I was impressed with Washington's quick turn. If they can get rid of Gilbert I think they can rebuild quickly to be a thorn in both our sides.

Out West I liked what Houston did, but I don't think anyone is passing the Lakers at this point.

[OMagic1989]

Yeah I agree about Boston for the most part but Nate always seems to score like 35 points against us. Boston had their window and is is now closed for the most part.

Cleveland on the other hand is a different animal. Once the get big z back and Jamison integrated they are going to almost impossible to beat especially with the way the refs call their games. SCARRY.

Dwight will get fouled out in 25 mins or less or be innefective because of it. Without Dwight we have no chance against Cleveland.

I am watching the Cavs game against Denver and of course Lebron gets shooting fouls galore in the final 45 seconds. Who else gets that treatment?? No one can beat that in a 7 game series not even the Lakers. I think the NBA wants Cleve to win it all this year. I think they will. Refs will most certainly help.

[evildallas]

Nate can score (he lit us up earlier this year), but will he be given free reign in Boston or will he be expected to fit into a system? Also how many minutes will he play? I don't really see him and Rondo in the game together.