In this post I'm going to continue from 2006-07 Season.
2006-2007 Season
Champion: San
Antonio Spurs
Spurs’ Top 3 Players who had the biggest share in
team possessions were Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili (15,7/14,8/12,8)[1]. Tim Duncan entered the
league as #1 pick in 1997. Not so long, he and "The Admiral" formed up the "Twin Towers". On the other hand
Tony Parker and Manu were such draft steals since Tony was First Round, 28th
pick and Manu was not even first round pick he was Second Round, 57th pick. But most importantly, they had this guy for whom songs are written.
Finalist: Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavs’ Top 3
Players were LeBron James, Larry Hughes and Big Z (24,2/15,5/9,0). Cavs won the lottery in 2003 and they selected
LeBron as #1 pick. As for Larry Hughes he joined the team in 2005 as free
agent. Z-Bo was the first round pick for Cavs ages ago, yet even in 1996 he
wasn’t the lottery win, he was 20th pick.
Western Conference Finalist: Utah
Jazz
Jazz’s Big
Three were Carlos Boozer, Memo and D-Will (16,0/13,9/16,5). Funny fact, D-Will had no problems with Jerry Sloan in those years. Carlos Boozer and Memo joined the team in 2004 as free agents. As for Deron, he was the First Round, 3rd
pick in 2005.
Eastern Conference Finalist: Detroit
Pistons
Second
version of the Bad Boys reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2007. Like
previous years, 3 players rule the ball were Rip Hamilton,Chauncey Billups and
Tayshaun Prince(16,9/14,1/11,3). All three of them joined team in 2002; Rip
joined as a result of a trade between Pistons and Wizards while Chauncey joined
as free agent. As for Prince he was a draft steal in those years, he was 23rd
pick in first round.
2007-2008 Season
Champion: Boston
Celtics
After years
of domination, Celtics had several miserable years. In 2008, they reached the
O’Brien Trophy at last. They recruited ringless superstars to joined their own
superstar “The Truth”. As expected
their Ruler 3 were Paul Pierce, KG and Ray Ray (16,2/14/13,7). Paul Pierce was 10th pick in 1998 which
is not easy to be considered as winning the lottery. On the other hand Garnett
and Ray Allen joined the team in 2007.
Finalist: Los Angeles Lakers
King of the
Trades. Lakers recruited a solid team
after the nightmarish post-Shaq era.
Their 3 stars were The Black Mamba, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom (18,7/9,8/8,2). Kobe joined the team in
a draft night trade which included one of the dominant centers in the league,
Vlade Divac as Mehmet mentioned. Pau joined the team in the
half of the season with a trade between Lakers and Grizzlies which also included draft rights of his little brother Marc -little is probably the wrong word if you consider the fact that Marc is 2,16- As for Lamar Odom, when Shaq traded to
Miami, Lamar left the Florida beaches and came to the California.
Eastern Conference Finalist&: Detroit
Pistons
I’ve
mentioned Pistons before , in 2008 there were nothing changed. Rip, Billups and
Prince were still featured stars of the Pistons.
Western Conference Finalist: San
Antonio Spurs
Like
Pistons, their Ruler 3 hasn’t changed since 2007.
2008-2009 Season
Champion: Los
Angeles Lakers
In 2009,
Kobe already had 3 rings, but he was still hungry for another ring as much as a
“Winner” should be. Nothing changed much since previous season except the fact
that Bynum became more dominant player. Even though he hadn’t got the one of
the Top 3 spots, he became one of the most dominant centers in the league.
After he was picked in the 10th
row in 2005, finally he was about to reach his potential.
Finalist: Orlando Magic
Happy
times. In 2008-2009 season, Dwight was
still enjoying to play for Orlando. Surprising ha? Yeah, true story.
They were a solid team, they even beat Cavaliers in Eastern Conference Finals
which devastated LeBron like hell and which was also one of the reasons led
him to notorious “The Decision”. Anyway, that happy Orlando Magic’s Ruler 3
were Hedo, Howard and Rashard Lewis (13,4/12,4/11,9).
Howard was the #1 pick in 2004. On the other hand Lewis joined Orlando in 2007
from Seattle as a result of sign&trade transaction. As for Hedo, he came to the Orlando as free
agent in 2004.
Western Conference Finalist: Denver
Nuggets
Denver
finally reached the Western Conference Finals in 2009, after they hit the
jackpot in 2003 Draft, thanks to Detroit. In 2009, Denver’s 3 Horsemen of the
Apocalypse were Carmelo Antony, The Answer and Chauncey Billups (16,8/14,1/12,4). Carmelo was the 3rd pick in 2003-one of the greatest draft classes, I believe-.
He found his company Iverson in 2006 when he gave up his championship dreams in
Philly. The two found their commander in 2008, when Billups returned the Denver with
2 NBA Finals and 1 ring.
Eastern Conference Finalist: Cleveland
Cavaliers
In 2009,
people of Ohio were in love with LeBron. He was throwing the powder, they were
confident that they will reach at least to the NBA Finals. Sadly, they
couldn’t. Since 2007, two of the three ball rulers were still where they were
before, Big Z and LeBron. Mo Williams was the third player who has the one of
the Top 3 highest possession. He had the second highest possession percentage (15,3) in the team. They added
Mo Williams in 2008 as a result of a trade between Cavs and Bucks.
Champion: Los
Angeles Lakers
Things were
almost same in the Lakers Dynasty. Bynum climbed up to the Top 3 spot instead
of Odom. One of the things should be mentioned is, rising of the Ron Artest, aka Metta World Peace. Who can forget
the 7th game of 2010 Finals. He joined Lakers in 2009 as free agent.
Finalist: Boston Celtics
After a
season, they were in the Finals again. While they were trying to beat their arch
enemy in 2010 Finals, their Big 3 were still in the shape. Yet, there was
another commander in their roster, Rajon Rondo. Rondo joined the team in 2006
Draft as first round, 21st pick.
Eastern Conference Finalist&: Phoenix
Suns
After Mike
D’Antoni era, Phoenix reached the Western Conference Finals again. Their Top 3
players were Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash and Jason Richardson (16,6/15/12,5). Steve Nash joined the
team in 2004 as free agent which was the one the milestone in the franchise history.
Amare was the first round, 9th pick in 2002. As for J-Rich, he joined Suns' roster with a
trade between Phoenix Suns and Charlotte.
Western Conference Finalist: Orlando
Magic
In 2010,
they reached Eastern Conference Finals with Dwight Howard for the last time.
Even though their go-to-guy, Howard,
was still there, their two of Top 3 had changed. His companies were Air Canada
and Jameer Nelson. Vince Carter traded from Nets in 2009, as for Nelson he was
traded in the draft night from Denver in 2004.
2010-2011 Season
Champion: Dallas
Mavericks
In 2011,
Mark Cuban reached his life-long dream. I would like to give my respects to
Wayne L. Winston for this championship. After they couldn’t reach the O’Brien
Trophy with Steve Nash, Michael Finley,Dirk Nowitzki trio,even when they added Antawn
Jamison, they renewed. In 2011, their Top 3 were Dirk Nowitzki, as
expected, Jason Terry and Caron Butler (15/12,1/11,4).
Mehmet mentioned how they got Dirk- I can only say something about his hair,in 2011 his hair was way better than 1998-, I’ll write about Terry and Butler. Terry
traded from Atlanta in 2004. On the other hand, Butler traded form Wizards in
2010. By the way, I have to mention two more player even though they hadn’t
got possession percentage as much as Dirk,Terry and Butler, they were the
biggest part of the team, Kidd&Chandler. Kidd returned home after a trade
between Nets and Mavs in 2008, and Chandler traded from Bobcats in 2010.
Finalist: Miami Heat
After they
recruited Bosh and LeBron in the beginning of the season and LeBron promised 8 championships –I’m still laughing btw-, everyone assumed that they would get their
first ring in 2010. Yet, they couldn’t. Their go-to-three are very obvious. Wade was their draft pick in 2003.
He was first round,5th pick. Yet, they loved Draft Class 2003. They
signed with LeBron James -1st
pick in 2003- and Chris Bosh -4th
pick in 2003- in 2010.
Eastern Conference Finalist&: Oklahoma
City Thunder
Here comes
the Thunder saga. After a heartbroken departure from City of Seattle, the
franchise started everything over. They made greatest draft picks in a row, Kevin
Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Also, they got the Jeff Green from
Boston in the draft night in 2007. I gotta say that, they are one of their
kind. In 2011, they reached the Western
Conference Finals. Harden was a little bit shy , so their Top 3 guys were
Durant, Westbrook and Green (20,1/17,9/11,5).
Durant was 2nd pick in 2007 Draft, Westbrook was 4th
pick in 2008 and Green was a draft night trade as I’ve mentioned before. As for
their fourth guy, Harden, he was 3rd pick in 2009.
Western Conference Finalist: Chicago
Bulls
After, his
majesty retired, Bulls struggled to become a contender again. Yet, it’s really
understandable, I mean give them a break, they’ve only lost the greatest player of all
time. Anyway, they found the player they’ve been expecting, Derrick Rose. He
was the first round,1st pick in 2008. By the way, I’m looking
forward to #thereturn. Their companies in 2011 were Carlos Boozer and Luol
Deng. Boozer joined the team in 2010 from a trade from Utah Jazz. As for Deng,
he was traded in the draft night 2004 from Phoenix.
2011-2012 Season
Champion: Miami
Heat
Everything
was still same in 2012, except the fact that they won the O’Brien Trophy this
time. 7 championship to go, yeah I'm kidding. Big three were still the Top 3 player in the
team. However, LeBron put a heavenly performance in 2012. He didn't give up, he took the responsibility when his team needed him and he got the ring. He answered all the criticism towards him in the court.
Finalist: Oklahoma City Thunder
For OKC,
things were almost same like Heat. They traded Jeff Green for Kendrick Perkins,
and The Beard stepped up and became the one of the Top 3 player. He was not as
impressive as we expected in the Finals, yet he was marvelous in the regular season and
playoff games.
Eastern Conference Finalist: Boston
Celtics
It was a
surprise that Old Boys reached the Eastern Conference Finals. It’s not only
that, they were too close to beat Heat. I have to say that Rose’s injury shook
the Eastern Conference’s dynamics. Yet, it doesn’t change the fact that Boston
showed some great performances in the playoffs. As for their Top 3, Rondo
stepped up and entered the list instead of Ray Ray.
Western Conference Finalist: San
Antonio Spurs
In 2012,
their Top 3 was still same Duncan, Manu and Parker (9,8/7,6/13,1). However, Spurs wasn’t same Spurs as they were.
Spurs has made their name as a “Defensive Team”. In 2012, they were an “Offensive
Team”, not only that they were the best offensive team in the league. Yet,
after a 10 win in a row in the playoffs, they couldn’t resist to the “Fountain
of Youth” of Thunder.
As you can see, there is only one team succeed with "Thunder Model",Oklahama City Thunder. It's not because "The Thunder Model" isn't good, it's because that model is very hard to apply. Apart form the fact that it's hard enough to find a high position in the draft in a row, some draft classes can be really disappointing in terms of talent. Also, some non-talent related factors may affect any player's career,like injuries or personal issues. For example, I was very confident that Greg Oden would shake the league before the 2007-2008 Season. Yet, injuries ruined his career which is the ache I will always remember. Anyway, if there is something common in all teams, everyone of them had a reliable franchise player -except Pistons, but they had a great core-. It's almost impossible to succeed unless you've got a franchise player. You should find your superstar -with a trade or a lottery win,doesn't matter- and then build around him. If you can make more great drafts while trying to do your best and competing hard for the championship, good for you.Yet, if you continue to lose and wait for another drafts to build a team, you would probably fail and lose your superstar too.
_____________________________________________________________________________[1] Numbers in the parenthesis represent the percentage of the possession which the corresponding player has in the team.
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