Recognize: The All-Decade Team

So the first decade of this new millennium's almost in the books. In a couple weeks we'll be ringing in not only a new year but a new era of sorts; history tends to divide decades; identifying each by the trends that defined them. The 2000's were plagued by constraint and censorship as the NBA weathered a pair of economic meltdowns, a referee gambling debacle, and increasing tension with the Players' Union. Ten years ago we would've laughed at the notion of a league-wide dress code, welcomed a brave high-schooler into the League and assumed the Malice at the Palace had something to do with Bill Laimbeer. But there was plenty more we didn't know. We had no idea who Lebron James was, that MJ had a third run in him, or the critical importance Eagle, Colorado would come to play in Kobe's Bryant's life. We hadn't seen the Lakers' heroics, the Spurs' monotony or most of Vince Carter's Greatest Hits. Yao Ming was an indie flick at some foreign film festival, the proper spelling was DwaYne, and 'Impossible is Nothing' was a cynical thought buried deep in Kevin Garnett's subconscious. Yup, the NBA's a different place; we've seen the game go global and its players are showcasing their awesome talent on an ever-expanding audience. Which is the one of the few things that's remained about the League, and always will: the sheer brilliance of basketball's elite. So before we jump into a new decade and the change it'll bring, here's a toast to the guys who really did it proper over the past ten years; the All-Decade Team.

STARTERS
Point Guard - Steve Nash, Dallas Mavericks/Phoenix Suns
Among the many other things we didn't see coming back in 2000 was a skinny, 6-foot, soccer playing white guy from Canada winning two MVPs. Nash was the medium through which Mike D'Antoni ushered in his 7 Seconds or Less brand of entertaining basketball, and he revolutionized the one spot. His unique passing ability and lethal shooting were ideal for an offense that thrived on fast-breaking, pick and rolls and habitually itchy trigger fingers. While his defense was never World-class (or even NBA-class in some minds), his impact on the high-octane Dallas and Phoenix squads he manned this decade was undeniable, and gives him the starting nod by a hair over Jason Kidd.

Shooting Guard - Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Arguably the most impressive individual in the League over the past ten years, we watched Bryant struggle with superstardom the most, but also win regular season and Finals MVP awards, annual All-Star, All-Defense and All-NBA recognition, not to mention four rings. Along the way, he re-wrote scoring records, truly meriting those inevitable and inescapable Jordan comparisons he faced for years. The 45+ streak. The 81. The countless hearts he shattered at the buzzer against all odds, over and over. Much tumult bruised his early career, but Bryant's finally found what he was looking for; he's the man on the best team in the League, and that he's ever played on. Believe his legacy won't end with this decade.

Small Forward - Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Even before he arrived on the scene, James was the man. The hype surrounding this kid was unfathomable, but despite Rider-high expectations, he managed to exceed them time after time. At a point where most high-school draftees are still gathering dust on benches, Bron was dragging Tayshaun-thin Cavs squads to deep playoff runs and making 28/7/7 seem mundane. The sad reality is that there's little he'll be able to impress us in the regular season at this point; once his playoff heroics are aptly complemented by the guys around him, he'll take his place among the game's All-Time greats. While we're just Witnessing the cusp of his greatness, what he's accomplished so far makes him a no-brainer for this spot.

Power Forward - Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Timmy D's always walked softly -never the loudest or flashiest guy around- but carries a rather large proverbial stick; over the past ten years he's established himself as the greatest power forward in the game's history. His methodical dominance was a walking embodiment of James Naismith's vision; a game so textbook, so flawless, that age, injury and countless lineup changes haven't phased his brilliance. Three of four titles, two MVPs, All-Everything All-Day. Even if he bored us all through the 2000's, he's in a class by himself.

Center- Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers/Miami Heat (...Phoenix Suns/Cleveland Cavaliers) In a decade that seriously contrasted the 90s' big-man dominance (making All-Stars out of Dale and Antonio Davis, Jamaal Magliore and Zydrunas Ilgauskas) Diesel's credentials easily stand out as the best among centers. Although he's spent most of the past few years buried in indifference and calories, the early 2000's Shaq was a force the League hasn't and likely won't see the likes of for some time. He re-defined unguardable, leading LA to a three-peat while feuding with Kobe and enduring a barrage of Hack-a-Shaq; basketball's version of the below-the-belt-blow. Though he was never a prolific foul shooter, O'Neal was a dominant scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker and severely underrated passer who imposed upon the post like none before.

BENCH
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Flash has managed to match Lebron's lofty career arc almost step for step, putting up retarded numbers year after year, and hauling Miami on his back for an unlikely title run in 2006.

Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets/Phoenix Suns/Dallas Mavericks

The best all-around point guard of our era, Kidd nearly copped a couple MVPs and led the Nets to two Finals appearances. His jumper and defense were scrutinized, but Kidd spent years as the L's most coveted quarterback.

Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers/Denver Nuggets/Memphis Grizzlies?

While his teams struggled to complement him with functional surroundings, Iverson was an unstoppable scorer and pesky defender who dragged Philly to the Finals in his MVP '01 season, but stands as the player who's accomplished the least team success on this squad.

Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves/Boston Celtics
KG's dominant all-around game through years of mediocrity in Minnesota cemented him a spot on this team long before his arrival in Boston finally brought a title and the completion of a Hall of Fame legacy.

Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
Pierce spent years as a criminally underrated star in Boston; much like Garnett in Minny he was surrounded by talent that betrayed his champion potential, until the two joined forces and brought a 17th title to Beantown.

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

As much as I hate conceding it, Dirk has to be here. He brought a new and often-imitated dimension to a 7-footer's game, winning and MVP* and leading the Mavs deep into the playoffs more often than not.

Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons (I'm ignoring the rest)

Although devoid of any offensive skill, Big Ben was the scariest mother-fucker and best defender in the League for the first half of the decade. His years as a bathtub plug in Chicago and Cleveland aside, he's a marginal choice over a dude who can hardly play 50 games a year.

All-Snub Team: Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Webber, Yao Ming

Comin' For That #1 Spot

Well folks, the offseason's officially in full effect. As teams scramble like madmen to clear cap space for the impeding superstar exodus of 2010 and leap across the immense canyon separating the league's elite from its commoners, many high-profile names are checking distant propety listings. We've already seen four premiere players (...well...if you're inclined to give Jamal Crawford and Richard Jefferson that much credit) switch area codes, with no shortage of musings about moves yet to come. Certainly some of the moves made early in Thursday's draft would suggest that there's a blockbuster or two in the works, but regardless of what the rest of the NBA plans to do to catch up, its strongest contenders took decisive steps toward the title they crave .

The Spurs went out and grabbed a fourth wheel to balance their offensive attack; adding a physical slasher who can give you 20/game, while giving up a bottle of Pine Sol and some Burger King coupons, never hurt anyone. Jefferson definitely won't fill Bowen's shoes as a defender, but he's a major upgrade, giving the Spurs more size and athleticism, not to mention more than a Steve Kerr-equse offensive presence. As this team becomes less and less Timmy D's, they need talent around him to contend, and they just traded two washed-up big contracts and a big man they can easily replace via free agency. Even if I don't see Jefferson thriving like he did with J-Kidd in Jersey, it's hard not to like this move. Way to take perfect advantage of the Milwaukee Bucks' never-ending implosion. If their injury-prone Big 3 are hurt again next year, the blow won't be as severe; they're probably closer to the title than any team the fucking Mavs ever just put out in the first round.

Meanwhile, out East, the two titans learned the hard way that the Lakers are much better than they are (I still think the Cavs would've fared better, but I digress..), and bodied up; both lowballing rebuilding squads for All-Star calibre players at ten cents on the dollar. Orlando prepped for the Turkish Michael Jordan's departure (..man...that still cracks me up to this day. I still don't know what I find more offensive, the fact that he'd compare himself to His Airness, or how, upon brief contemplation, it's completely true) by adding some Vinsanity to the mix. I like it for many reasons; Vince is a better scorer, better ballhandler and rebounder, not necessarily a worse passer and gives them a second marquee name. I can only pray that Carter's learned a lesson about leadership and humility since his child's antics in T-Dot; all indications are positive but this will be his first time playing for a legit contender; it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

The Cavs, however made the biggest splash (pun completely intended), luring The Big _______ to his first non-vacation-magnet NBA city and pairing the League's most most dynamic talent with its most imposing persona. Cleveland knows they very well might need to win a title this year to keep Lebron, and rolled the dice for all the marbles. I think this was the best trade, not because of my sworn allegiance to King James, but because the Cavs gave up the least and addressed their glaring weakness. They now have a post presence on both end of the floor; one who finishes much better than Anderson Varejao and won't be tossed to the curb like last week's garbage by Dwight Howard. Big Z won't have to play as much and Lebron will average another 2-3 assists per game by default. Not only does this make basketball sense, but blesses Cleveland with the presence of the most playoff-tested warrior left; one who's won four titles, taken three teams to the Finals, and can be the ultimate locker room catalyst. His co-existence with LBJ will be fascinating; Cleveland was already my favorite team to watch, but now I'm openly going to question the sanity of anyone who sees it differently...and let's not even get excited about the oh-so possible Kobe - Shaq/Lebron 2010 Finals...in fact nobody even mention it until next June, it can't be jinxed.

The Week that Was

So I've been a little lazy lately about posting anything; not that there hasn't been plenty to discuss around the League this week but I've spent almost every waking hour of the past ten days either working, drinking or gambling, leaving school and (more importantly) Basketball Banter seriously neglected. I'd like to offer sincere apologies to all three of you that read my blog; I've been irresponsible and you deserve better. With that out of the way, here's some thoughts on what's happening around the NBA:

- After the trade deadline passed without anything monumental happening, the focus now turns to free agents and recently-released veterans who can fill voids on contending teams. Boston traded in Sam Cassell and PJ Brown for Starbury and Mikki Moore, hoping their other players have gained the experience they gave up in the process. The Spurs added Drew Gooden after he was bought out by Sacramento, a move which I could see working because it's the Spurs and they find a way to work anyone into their system, even a guy who plays basketball as incoherently as my man Drew. The Cavs signed Joe Smith, who will provide the vetern savvy and solid D they'll miss while Big Ben's broken leg heals. The Lakers meanwhile, having recently dumped two rotation players for a few cans of baked beans and Adam Morrison's old wig, are nonchalantly doing nothing.

- Meanwhile, at the bottom of the standings, the race for Blake Griffin heats up as Memphis has lost 8 in a row to plummet within 3 games of the lowly Kings. Hot on their heels after losing Al Jefferson for the season are the T-Wolves, who've dropped seven straight and are making the race for last out West as compelling as the race for second. Out East, Washington continues to hold down the basement despite Toronto's best efforts. Will the Grizzlies continue to slide like the Dow Jones? Does Minnesota have enough time left to catch up with the rest of the lottery hopefuls? Can Sacramento win a single game against an Eastern opponent this year? Stay tuned folks...

- The Nuggets recently suspended Carmelo Anthony for being Carmelo Anthony; he was barred from their recent loss to Detroit after refusing to exit the pervious game during a fourth-quarter timeout. As talented as Melo is, he's gotta grow the fuck up. Dude, realize that you're a professional athlete and heavily marketed celebrity. Every little fuck up you have (and between this, the bar fight, the DUI, the "accidental" weed bust, the sucker-punch and the street gang DVD cameo, they're becoming quite numerous) is going to be scrutinized by a jaded mass media; each mishap building upon the rest and making your reputation more irreparable. You've finally got a team you can accomplish something of note with, so get your head in game, and get out of it if your coach says to.

- Detroit was able to recently end their 8-game skid, their return to respectability co-inciding with Allen Iverson's recent injury. Hate to say it but at this point I think it's going to be extremely hard for AI to win a title. His style of offense too often leaves four guys standing around, which isn't going to fly on any team competent enough to compete for a title. Really, his best-case scenario was the Sixers team he dragged to the Finals; he was their only remotely dangerous scorer so it was legit for him to jack 30 shots every game and keep the likes of Tyrone Hill and Eric Snow uninvolved. Everybody else played tough D and did all the dirty work that defined their squad...and to say they were arguably the worst Finals team ever is entirely legitimate. As incredible as Iverson's career has been, it's growing increasingly clear that he's just not a winner.

- Shaq was on fire this week, dropping 33 on the Lakers in a big-time win for the Suns (minus their two best players) after murdering the Raptors for 45 (on 20-25). His words echoed as loud as his play, ripping into Stan Van Gundy, drawing the open ire of Superman heir Dwight Howard and dropping the "RuPaul" tag on Chris Bosh. Legendary. If the League doesn't give him Player of the Month honors I'm filing a formal complaint.

- Speaking of on fire; ladies and gentlemen, Dwyane Wade. Wow. He's delivered on so many levels, providing scoring, ballhandling, distributing and All-League D to a team that wouldn't win ten games without him. In my books he's MVP-worthy but anyone trying to say he should get the award after Lebron was snubbed the past two years is a Wade-jocking hypocrite. I think the voting panel puts way too much clout in a team's final record, but in staying consistent with a system that saw the Mavs win Dirk an MVP, Wade can't really hold much contention.

- And finally, surprising nobody, Greg Oden's on the chilling list again. The often-hobbled Blazers big man will miss another week while recovering from a chipped kneecap, his latest setback suffered during a fall while attempting to board the team bus.

I'll be back in next few days with some stuff from the League and thoughts from the AUS Playoffs. Until then, peace.