After a long historical free agency summer for the N.B.A. the dust is finally beginning to settle. We have seen a few winners (Heat), Losers (Cavs,Nets), and some teams that quietly got allot better(Bucks,Bulls). The landscape of the league from just a year ago has done a 360. For the first time in over 6 years someone in the Central Division not named The Pistons or Cavs will likely take the crown this year. With the addition of Brad Miller along with a healthy Yao Ming and the re signings of Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola, Houston looks to regain its position as a top 5 team out west. The Raptors(signing M. Barnes and losing C. Bosh) and T'Wolves(signing Darko and losing Al Jeff.) continue to fade into obscurity.
Players like 2Nd year man Wesley Matthews (35m from Portland) and Travis Outlaw(42M from N.J) quietly struck jackpots more than tripling both of their previous salaries. Even teams who lost big pieces like Phoenix, were able to somewhat recover with additions such as Hedo Turkelo and Hakeem Warrick. The defending champs didn't make any splashes but the signing of pg Steve Blake was huge after losing Jordan Farmer. Blake will be a great fit and easy to plug in to The Lake show. Amare wound up with Ray Felton to start a new look Knicks team while some teams like the Pistons, Magic, Hawks, Spurs, Clippers, and Thunder stood pat.
There are still a few names out there in free agency (Shaq, Flip Murray) but most of the damage has been done. All in all this summer will never be forgotten and we will be seeing the results from this past month for years and years to come in the N.B.A. This is the type of thing in sports that 30 years from now we will all be able to say we witnessed the new age of basketball. Buckle up and enjoy.
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