2008 Woodie Awards
2006-2007 NBA Preview
Juan Bernal
Issue date: 11/6/06 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 3 next >
As the 2006-2007 NBA season kicks in full gear on Halloween night, it brings to an end one of the most interesting off seasons in recent memory. There wasn't a whole lot of movement or news going on, but what was going on was very important. The most important news of the off-season was Team USA's disappointing third place finish in the World Championships in Japan in August. Team USA was favored in the worlds after a disappointing sixth place finish in 2002. They were lead by NBA stars Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Lebron James and Dwyane Wade. Team USA cruised through group play and their quarterfinal games over Australia and Germany respectively. However the lack of continuity and exposure to international rules got to them when they faced a Greece squad and fell to the Greeks. The next day they would recover to salvage a bronze medal and defeat Argentina, who was the Olympic champion at the 2004 games in Athens. Spain defeated Greece for the gold medal. However, Spanish and Memphis Grizzlies star Pau Gasol broke his foot and is supposed to be out until January, which significantly hurts Memphis' chances of getting back to the playoffs this season.
The biggest free agent signing of the offseason was when Ben Wallace left Detroit and joined Central Division rival Chicago Bulls. The move significantly upgraded the Bulls frontline along with the trade of Tyson Chandler to the New Orleans Hornets. The Bulls received P.J Brown who provides the experience, rebounding and the veteran leadership that the Bulls need to make it to the next level. To replace Ben Wallace, the Pistons signed Nazi Mohamed from the Spurs. Mohamed doesn't have the impact on the defensive end that Wallace did, however he is more adept offensively and will allow Detroit to run a more up-tempo and open court offense. Bonzi Wells, who had a monster playoff series for the Sacramento Kings against the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 22 points and 10 rebounds per game, signed with the Houston Rockets. The Rockets, who were one of the most underachieving teams in the league last season traded for Memphis' Shane Battier who provides the intangibles that the Rockets need to make it back to the playoffs. The Rockets also hope that the McYao combination of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming can stay healthy.
The biggest free agent signing of the offseason was when Ben Wallace left Detroit and joined Central Division rival Chicago Bulls. The move significantly upgraded the Bulls frontline along with the trade of Tyson Chandler to the New Orleans Hornets. The Bulls received P.J Brown who provides the experience, rebounding and the veteran leadership that the Bulls need to make it to the next level. To replace Ben Wallace, the Pistons signed Nazi Mohamed from the Spurs. Mohamed doesn't have the impact on the defensive end that Wallace did, however he is more adept offensively and will allow Detroit to run a more up-tempo and open court offense. Bonzi Wells, who had a monster playoff series for the Sacramento Kings against the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 22 points and 10 rebounds per game, signed with the Houston Rockets. The Rockets, who were one of the most underachieving teams in the league last season traded for Memphis' Shane Battier who provides the intangibles that the Rockets need to make it back to the playoffs. The Rockets also hope that the McYao combination of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming can stay healthy.
Be the first to comment on this story