What's this? A deadline deal?

In case you couldn't recall, last year's NBA trade deadline was a complete and udder dud. In fact, the headline on this site was "DEADline", because, quite frankly, three deals involving a total of four players (the biggest name being moved was Juan Dixon). This year was quite a contrast.

Cleveland made the biggest move of the day, completing a three-team, 11-player deal at the buzzer to haul in some help for LeBron — and in this writer's opinion, made them the favourite to come out of the East. The Cavs shipped out, namely, Larry Hughes (who's been hugely disappointing for his big money deal), Donyell Marshall and Drew Gooden, the most talented of the group. In return, they acquire Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from Seattle and Ben Wallace and Joe Smith from the Bulls. The Sonics were willing to jetison anyone who doesn't fit into their plan for Oklahoma City (their assumed future home) while the Bulls didn't want Wallace's financial burden any more.

Big Ben is the huge question mark in this blockbuster. He's never been great on offence but is a former defensive player of the year. I wouldn't doubt for a second that LeBron can't motivate Wallace to a return to his past self. If you were to pair up Big Z and Big Ben, they could have a decent match up with some of the twin towers out west when finals time comes around.

They other deals made were comparatively minor:
—Bonzi Wells and Mike James were shipped to New Orleans for Bobby Jackson. This deal gives the Hornets some more depth on their already fine bench and a lot better chance to hold onto their surprising Western Conference lead.

—The Rockets also dealt for Gerald "G-Money" Green. It's too bad that dunkoff success doesn't translate to NBA game success.

—The Raptors, looking for rebounding help, acquired a big man who can't rebound (Primoz Brezec) for a back up guard who is merely a spot-player for Detroit now (Juan Dixon).

—And if you've ever heard of Von Wafer (yes, that's a real guy's name) well you're on the same level as Portland who dealt Taureen Green for him.

So, sure, you could argue that no big deals were made last year at the deadline because there was some moves made weeks beforehand, but the same happened this year with all-star players like Pau Gasol, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion and Shaquille O'Neal. Let's hope that the years to come have the excitement that led up to and took place this time of year.

Shaq vs. Kobe

It's a rivalry that may be bigger than what some teams endure. Two players, former friends and teammates, who led the Los Angeles Lakers to what many consider dynasty-dom, had a falling out and words were exchanged that can't be taken back. Kobe Bryant, in own his prima-donna way, forced Shaq out of town so the Lakers could be his own. Shaq retaliated by winning a title with his new little buddy D-Wade in Miami while Kobe wasted away on a talent-stricken team.

That brings us to this season. Kobe played a little "I want out" drama to begin the season but in the process, turned his game up to its full, amazing potential. Then the Lakers somehow stole Pau Gasol from Memphis to give Kobe his fist all-star calibre companion since O'Neal departed.

Shaq, on the other hand, looked very clearly on the down-slope of his career, not just this year, but even the 2006-07 campaign. With Miami pretty much destined for a high lottery pick, Shaq and his huge contract were dealt to Phoenix for an unhappy Shawn Marion. Why? Who knows, it was more likely to get rid Marion's presence than get the washed-up Diesel.

Then, in a great twist, Shaq chose to come back from a hip injury and face his "nemesis" Kobe Bryant (who is playing through the pain of a torn ligament in his pinky finger) and new big buddy Gasol.

Sure, the Suns did their best to hang around but — and Shaq even played for nearly 30 minutes to everyone's surprise — but they could not keep up with, and especially not defend, the Lakers. If the move they made to get Shaq was to help them win (which we should assume it is), it may not turn out for their benefit.

Given, I'm also keeping in mind that it was Shaq's first game back from injury and his first game with a new team that plays a drastically different style than he's used to. But the Lakers were missing their third best player, starting centre Andrew Bynum who's easily good enough for a double-double any night he plays.

If these teams meet in the playoffs it should be the Lakers moving on.

A wonderful time of the year

Spring training has arrived folks, just in time to draw some interest in the sporting world in that pesky gap between the Super Bowl and the NCAA tournament. Yes, those lucky dogs who get paid, for the majority of their time, to stand around and wait for things to happen get an all-expenses paid trip to either Florida or Arizona for camp.

But most importantly, everyone who is a fan of baseball finally has an opportunity to check out their teams' new addition(s), their players returning from injury and can even catch a glimpse prospects getting at bats against some of the games' best.

Some guys will be trying to learn new pitches; some guys will try out new arm angles. Some players will get looks at what they might be facing in the regular season and might even try changing their hitting or fielding mechanics.

But this year a dark, heavy cloud is hanging over many major league camps; its name: The Mitchell Report. Anybody who was named in the damning document will have to talk about why it was in and if they are guilty or not. It’s like they’re reporting to a firing range, albeit with the media and some teammates armed with questions, not guns and ammo.

Astros should be the most fun, with Roger Clemens and Miguel Tejada both in some very hot water. Clemens has to live with his puzzled responses to the interrogation he endured on Capitol Hill while Tejada may get deported if it turns out he lied under oath. This should be a fantastic season for Houston, Craig Biggio couldn’t have timed his exit better.

And has anybody heard from Barry Bonds? He still wants to play but he’s not having any luck finding an employer. I guess everybody finally got fed up with his antics.

The playoff push begins!

After quite the all-star weekend that more than lived up to its expectations, the NBA season’s “second half.” Of course it’s not the real second half of the season literally because all teams have already played more than half of their 82-game schedule, but who’s complaining? What can we expect from rest of the 2007-08 schedule? There’s plenty of storylines and questions abound.

With Jason Kidd-to-Dallas finally going through, how much will he help the Mavs? Kidd may be aging but he still has game and only makes the players around him look that much better. He’s less flashy than Steve Nash but can also rebound and knows how to play at least some defence. It would be interesting if the two matched up in a playoff series.

How much will Kobe Bryant’s injured pinky affect the Lakers? With Pau Gasol in town and Andrew Bynum still on the mend, Bryant is pretty much forced to play through the pain of his torn ligament. If Bynum were healthy and the Western race wasn’t so tight, I don’t think that Kobe would forgo surgery. How effective he’s going to be while playing hurt is the big question mark though, he hasn’t looked awful so far.

Will Shaq produce in Phoenix? As long as he doesn’t have a heart attack from all the running he’s going to be doing, Shaq should be fine. He’s still a better than average defender but I wouldn’t be counting on him for 30 minutes a game in the Suns track-meet style of play.

Will Denver get Ron Artest? They want him and can use a tenacious defender like the insane Ron-Ron. Will they be willing to give up enough picks/prospects to get him off of the seemingly rebuilding Kings, who knows? Allen Iverson and Carmelo can score all the points in the world and having a guy like Artest would help them out on the back-end.

In the East, how will Kidd’s trade affect the Nets? They may not be toast since Devin Harris is a good, young point guard and apparently a .500 record might get you the sixth seed in the East.

Toronto better learn how to defend LeBron, who makes a nice habit of slicing them apart whenever they meet. Unless a big slump by the Magic or either the Raptors or Cavaliers, those two teams are meeting in the first round. It won’t even be a close match up unless the Raps take a nine-iron to King James’ knee.

Will Detroit be able to catch Boston? They might not want to. As it stands now, the top seeds won’t have any problems with the low-seeds in the East, meaning Detroit would be facing Orlando in the second round while Boston would draw LeBron. Who would you rather face?

All this and we still haven't reached the trade deadline...