Pippen Ain't Easy
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Who really won the trade deadline? It’s a tie.

By Lamar Battle

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There was a flurry of moves at the trade deadline. Who won? 

Most observers and Charles Barkley would have you think that the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat improved the most but don’t listen to them.

It’s tough to argue that the acquisitions of Enes Kanter (13.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg) and DJ Augustin won’t help OKC as they climb the ladder that is the western conference standings.

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Miami Heat team president Pat Riley has once again displayed the chops needed in running one of the top three organizations in the NBA with the acquisition (via trade) of Goran Dragic‘. The Heat also rediscovered Hassan Whiteside and drafted (based on LeBron James recommendation) Shabazz Napier, an excellent up and coming young point guard.

However, while raising the bar, the ship has (unfortunately) passed both of these teams by.
DEE-TROIT BASKETBALL

Who would have thunk it ? A forgotten franchise averaging 200 fans a night and the only pro sports franchise in Detroit still playing their games in the suburbs.

Well, what had happened was the Pistons hired this cat named Stan Van Gundy and then had the audacity to give him the latitude needed to run the team.

Jettisoning Josh Smith immediately re-established team unity and the move to acquire the young and supremely confident point guard Reggie Jackson was brilliant.

But the real reason Detroit tied for the lead at the trade deadline is due to one person. A person who with each passing day improves more and more. A man who is finally getting the help he deserves. Who is this guy? None other than the next big thing, Mr. Andre Drummond.

In back to back games the Pistons defeated Chicago and Washington. While not exactly must see tv, tuesday’s contest vs Cleveland should be interesting.
Fear The Deer

You can love or hate him for his career machinations (during and after his playing days) but Jason Kidd has done well so far as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

It takes some franchises six or seven years to forge an identity. Some are still searching, hint hint (Sacramento) but in the span of a half season the Bucks are the team you have to prepare for with a good nights rest.

The Bucks have three corner stones in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and John Henson who are almost the same guy.

Holding down the sixth position in the eastern conference the Bucks run, scrap, shoot and play defense. This team is long, athletic and hungry. So what did they do? They trade their near all-star point guard (Brandon Knight) for a bigger, smarter and more athletic version in (Micheal Carter-Williams). As if that were not enough the Bucks add promising d-league point guard Tyler Ennis (of Syracuse fame) and jump through the roof back up center Miles Plumlee.

These two teams tie for the lead not because they will win the title this year or the next but because they have positioned themselves to make the quickest leap from mediocrity to contention.

For those of you who have not noticed, that would include Chicago, San Antonio and Miami. Commissioner Silver’s league is trending towards speed and athleticism. Those who miss the boat will lose the future. It appears that Stan Van Gundy, John Hammond and Jason Kidd have been paying attention.

Next: Rose Outplayed by D-Leaguer in Loss a Concern?

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