And now, the offseason!
Note: Somehow, I ended up with the fifth pick. I believe I glitched things when I edited some of the team names during the season, to match the art from the latest roster update. However, you know what? The Bulls did have a lottery selection that year (Joakim Noah in reality), courtesy of the New York Knicks via the Eddy Curry trade. So let's write that into the story, and pretend a few other trades have taken place, too.
2007 NBA DraftNEW YORK, NY -- The 2007 Draft was projected to be a weak one, and at a glance, seems unlikely to produce many superstars. However, the Orlando Magic are hoping that top pick Logan McDyess will help fill the void left by Tracy McGrady when he was dealt to the Houston Rockets two years ago.
The biggest winners of the Draft may be the Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies. The two teams, who just wrapped up their clash in the NBA Finals, owned the fifth and sixth picks respectively, owing to trades that have certainly worked out in their favour. The Bulls selected point guard Joaquin Arnold, while the Grizzlies drafted Quintus Thompson, a shooting guard. It remains to be seen whether Arnold will replace Kirk Hinrich in the Bulls' starting line-up, or play behind him off the bench.
Round 1Round 2Carmelo Anthony headed to TorontoTORONTO, ON -- In an offseason that saw most key free agents stay put, Carmelo Anthony will be taking his talents north of the border to the Toronto Raptors. Melo joins fellow Class of 2003 Alum Chris Bosh to form what should be a formidable frontcourt duo.
It was a busy offseason for Toronto, who not only re-signed Bosh and lured Melo to town, but also retained Jose Calderon and acquired Maurice Williams to shore up their backcourt. The Raptors also acquired the services of C.J. Miles, a promising young swingman.
Anthony was also courted by the Philadelphia 76ers and the two-time defending champion Chicago Bulls, but ultimately chose the more lucrative deal offered by the Raptors. The move reportedly came as a shock to the Denver Nuggets, who had expected to retain the services of their All-Star forward.
"He'll be under intense scrutiny this season," an anonymous source close to the proceedings commented. "He chose money over joining a team poised for a threepeat, not to mention the team that drafted him. There are a lot of fans who aren't happy with him right now, who will be very eager to boo him."
With the Raptors' re-loaded roster, it is expected that the whole team will be under the microscope, as expectations are now running high in Toronto.
Chicago Bulls retain Kirk HinrichCHICAGO, IL -- Although he just helped them win back-to-back championships, Kirk Hinrich wasn't sure if he would remain a Chicago Bull. The team renounced his rights in an effort to chase a high profile free agent such as LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony, but ultimately ended up using their cap space to retain their starting point guard.
"No hard feelings...I'm here, aren't I?" Hinrich said. "I understand that it's a business, and we wanted to do everything we could to get even better. Management was always very open with me about their plans, and insisted that they wanted to re-sign me if possible. I'm here, and I want to be a part of a threepeat."
The Bulls likely will not be players in the free agent market for some time, as NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Ben Gordon and starting forward Luol Deng will be seeking large contracts in the forthcoming offseason. The Bulls have instead been able to shore up their roster with Joaquin Arnold, the fifth selection of the 2007 NBA Draft, a pick the team received from New York in the Eddy Curry trade two years ago.
LeBron James remains in ClevelandCLEVELAND, OH -- The Decision has been made: Cavaliers fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as LeBron James will remain in Cleveland. The superstar forward re-signed with his hometown team for six years, and thus will not likely be headed anywhere else anytime soon.
"This is a great day for the city of Cleveland," team owner Dan Gilbert remarked. A billboard celebrating the re-signing has been put up downtown, though it has drawn some mockery for its unusual usage of the Comic Sans font. Nevertheless, the Cavaliers are poised to once again be one of the top teams in the East.
Offseason Round-UpA round-up of all the offseason moves.
Shawn Kemp, Steve Smith Announce RetirementCHICAGO, IL -- Veterans Shawn Kemp and Steve Smith have announced their retirement from the NBA. Both were members of the 2006 and 2007 Chicago Bulls championship teams, with Kemp re-establishing himself as a starter during the first championship season.
"I am very grateful for my two years in Chicago. The Bulls took a chance on me, and provided me with a wonderful opportunity to end my career on a high note," said Kemp, a former multi-time All-Star who spent the 2007 season backing up Tyson Chandler at centre. "Just a great experience."
Steve Smith echoed the sentiments, despite playing limited minutes during his stint in Chicago. "To be a part of two championship teams was really something special," he said. "Thank you to the entire Chicago Bulls organisation."
A spectacular player early in his career who found success despite not playing college basketball, Kemp played sixteen years in the NBA, including eight with the Seattle Supersonics, three with the Cleveland Cavaliers, two with the Portland Trail Blazers, one with the Orlando Magic, and two in Chicago. Smith, a standout player at Michigan St, was drafted by Miami in 1991 and spent his first three and a half seasons with the Heat before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks, whom he played for from 1994 to 1999. He also played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets, and San Antonio Spurs, with whom he won a championship in 2003.
Retiring PlayersNEW YORK, NY -- The NBA salutes the following players, who have decided to hang up their sneakers!