[CBS Sportsline] Needs, they had needs -- and these teams filled them

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Needs, they had needs -- and these teams filled them
Sep. 7, 2005
By Tony Mejia
CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer


While there are teams that still have plenty of work to do in order to address their needs, others can rest easy that the choices they've made this offseason should be sufficient to help them achieve their goals in 2005-06. Some of the teams listed below were simply in need of quick fixes and got the job done, while others, in the midst of a major overhaul, took significant strides.


Atlanta Hawks: Star ball-handler. While some might disagree with the price they paid and the major strife it caused within the organization, the acquisition of Phoenix's Joe Johnson will pay immediate dividends. For starters, it helped rid the organization of former governor and part owner Steve Belkin, who proved he wasn't on board with the team's other chief decision-makers. Second, and most important from an on-the-court standpoint, it gave the team a standout threat who can help facilitate the growth of wings Josh Childress, Josh Smith and No. 2 pick Marvin Williams. The common thought process is that Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire helped Johnson blossom into the consistent 18-point scorer he has become, but the truth is his versatility played just as large a role in their success. Now that he takes over point guard duties on a weaker team, you'll see the facilitator who was one of the country's most impressive prospects when he last wore "The Man" hat at Arkansas. No one is saying he's a natural, prototypical floor general, but he'll enhance this team in his younger teammates' development, as well as in the win column.

Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron's tag team partner. The Cavs went on a shopping spree when free-agency began, making plays on Ray Allen and Michael Redd, shooters probably better suited to free up LeBron James, but settled for a terrific compensation prize when they were able to pry Larry Hughes from Washington's clutches. He's not going to drop in 17-footers the way Allen and Redd would have, but he will free James from some of his playmaking duties, provide another potent scoring option and defend better than the other two. New GM Danny Ferry has to feel his primary objective -- getting James significant help to assure Cleveland a playoff berth -- was sufficiently accomplished. Landing another scorer in Toronto's Donyell Marshall was also a positive move, loading the squad with firepower that was missing during last season's late collapse.

Houston Rockets: Power forward. It wasn't as high profile as some of the other free-agent signings, but the acquisition of Stromile Swift turns Jeff Van Gundy's squad into a major player in the Western Conference race. Consider that the Rockets took a very good Dallas team to seven games while missing Juwan Howard and having to make due with Scott Padgett and Ryan Bowen playing out of position at the four, picking up a supreme athlete like Swift to help get Yao Ming's back is a major step. Van Gundy will get him to concentrate on defense and banging the boards, making him a major asset while his still-raw offensive game continues to come around. His presence also might encourage Yao to show more as a shot blocker, and given the return of the still-serviceable Dikembe Mutombo, makes Houston's interior defense formidable. Adding Derek Anderson, provided he can stay healthy, was another positive move, giving the team another scorer who can create his own shot to complement Tracy McGrady and Bob Sura. The Rockets didn't break the bank or sign any huge names, but in terms of filling in gaps, they did a masterful job.

Indiana Pacers: Reggie Miller's replacement. You're not going to replace Miller's invaluable leadership or his tendency for knocking down a clutch 3-pointer -- that's a Hall of Famer, after all -- but in signing Sarunas Jasikevicius, the Pacers solidified their status as a front-runner in the East. Consider that Indiana secured the services of the Lithuanian sniper despite the fact Cleveland was extremely interested and you know it scored a major victory. Jasikevicius and Zydrunas Ilgauskas are best friends, and it was practically a foregone conclusion that C-town would be his destination before the Pacers got involved. His signing is a clear indication both parties are solely interested in winning a championship, and considering Jasikevicius has won consecutive European titles as a point guard, he offers a valuable backup plan should Jamaal Tinsley's foot problem re-surface.

Milwaukee Bucks: Center. Thanks to their good fortune at the draft lottery, the Bucks were able to get the top center prospect in the world this side of Ohio State-bound high school player Greg Oden: Australian Andrew Bogut. Selecting the impressive 7-footer helped in the re-signing of Michael Redd and also drew coveted small forward Bobby Simmons for the mid-level exception. Those moves helped transform Milwaukee from a laughingstock and sure last-place finisher in the ultra-competitive Central Division into a team that has to be taken into consideration as a playoff contender. Although keeping Redd was a gigantic plus for the franchise, despite having to overpay to do so, the selection of Bogut was paramount among the team's moves, bringing aboard a future All-Star who, best of all, wanted to be part of the team's rebuilding process.

New Orleans Hornets: Point guard. Dan Dickau was nice, earning a cult following with his floppy hair and fearless penetration, giving the team an enjoyable option to watch at the point following Baron Davis' departure. But he couldn't be expected to carry the flag for the next decade; first-round pick Chris Paul can. Paul offers the Hornets star power and as decision-making instinct that can't be taught. If they can keep Jamaal Magloire from leaving, the Hornets have a ready-made point-pivot combination that would be the envy of most. It almost makes last year's freefall worth it.

Portland Trail Blazers: A new beginning. For a team in the midst of a massive rebuilding process, outspending Seattle for proven coaching star Nate McMillan should give Portland fans hope the team intends on working its way out of its downward spiral. He turned Seattle around because he commands respect without alienating his players, a rare feat in today's NBA, and a must for a teacher who inherits an uncommonly young roster whose future hinges on the development of Sebastian Telfair, Martell Webster and Joel Przybilla and the rebirth of the talented-yet-troubled Zach Randolph.

Sacramento Kings: Frontcourt scoring. The Kings emerged as the big winner of the Shareef Abdur-Rahim sweepstakes, which means Kenny Thomas and Brian Skinner won't be asked to do any more than they're capable of. They've re-established the rightful order of things, essentially replacing Chris Webber with Abdur-Rahim, a versatile scoring option who can handle himself in the post as well as on the perimeter. They only signed him for a single year but would likely reward him with a long-term deal if he can stay healthy and pay the dividends they expect from him. Considering Rick Adelman is also in the final year of his deal and new acquisition Bonzi Wells also has a single season to prove himself, the Kings look to be well-equipped for their year on the chopping block.

San Antonio Spurs: Bench power. The strong get stronger. Not only did they keep Robert Horry on board, but beating nearly every superpower of the league for Michael Finley's services was a major victory in their hopes of repeating. Finley won't make waves about getting fewer than 30 minutes a game and seems like a great extra piece to the wing rotation that already includes Manu Ginobili, Bruce Bowen and potentially Glenn Robinson. If the Spurs opt not to match the offer hometown hero Devin Brown received from Utah, which currently seems likely, they'll have to plug into his spot a veteran former All-Star who is only concerned with the pursuit of a ring; not too shabby.

Utah Jazz: Point guard. The only team to appear on both the vacancies and vacancies filled list, the Jazz had major issues to address in their backcourt and got the job half-done. Deron Williams was CBS SportsLine's No. 1-rated point guard in this past draft, and Utah obviously felt the same way, trading up to secure his services. Williams is a ready-built pro defender who can knock down the outside shot and has a knack for running a team. Stepping in at the point for a playoff contender won't be a problem for him given his maturity, and if they're able to get him a viable shooting guard to play with, it should yield immediate results.