Poll: Which Team Has Had The Worst Offseason?
Last week we asked which team has had the best offseason. Tonight, we go the other way by asking which team has grabbed the shortest end of the stick.
Which Team Has Had The Worst Offseason
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Orlando Magic 46% (851)
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Chicago Bulls 17% (323)
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Houston Rockets 13% (242)
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Dallas Mavericks 12% (227)
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New York Knicks 11% (203)
Total votes: 1,846
Poll: Which Star Will Improve Most From Olympics?
The 2012 Summer Olympics in London are underway and USA Basketball is off to a strong start thanks to a 98-71 victory over France. Strong play from Kevin Durant and a host of other players led the way for the convincing victory as Team USA begins its quest for another gold medal. International play has had a history of improving the skills of young players as they return from overseas to return to their NBA teams.
With young players such as Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis being afforded the opportunity to play in the Olympics for the first time, the question becomes how will the experience impact them during the 2012/13 season and beyond.
Which Player Will Improve The Most From The Olympics?
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Anthony Davis 57% (611)
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Kevin Durant 15% (165)
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Other 10% (111)
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James Harden 9% (91)
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Russell Westbrook 9% (91)
Total votes: 1,069
Poll: Which Team Has Had The Best Offseason?
There are still two months left until training camps open and three months until the regular season, but many of the offseason's highly anticipated moves have already happened. There's plenty, including a Dwight Howard trade, that can happen between now and the fall, but it seems like an appropriate time to take stock of what we've seen so far.
The five teams listed in the poll have been in the news a lot this past month. The Nets landed the top free agent target in Deron Williams and pulled off a trade for Joe Johnson. Their crosstown-rival Knicks loaded up on veterans, but let go of Jeremy Lin. The Heat snagged Ray Allen from the Celtics, pilfering from a key rival. The Lakers got a top-flight point guard in Steve Nash. The Timberwolves missed out on Nicolas Batum, but added Brandon Roy and Andrei Kirilenko.
Of course, you may think someone else is doing better, like the Hornets, who added a pair of top-10 picks, retained Eric Gordon, and today acquired Robin Lopez in a sign-and-trade. Others, like the Hawks and Mavs, deftly cleared cap space for next summer's free agents.
So, tell us which team you believe is having the best summer. For a cheat sheet, at least as far as free agents are concerned, consult our free agent tracker.
Which Team Has Had The Best Offseason?
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Lakers 36% (590)
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Nets 19% (311)
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None of the above 17% (279)
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Timberwolves 11% (182)
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Heat 9% (147)
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Knicks 7% (109)
Total votes: 1,618
Poll: Should Bulls Match Asik’s Offer Sheet?
Earlier today, it was reported that the Bulls are expected to pass on matching the three-year, $25.1MM offer sheet that Omer Asik signed with Rockets. Houston managed to land the restricted free agent with a gameplan eerily similar to the one they used to ink Jeremy Lin. While the Bulls made it known publicly that they planned on matching any offer, it turns out that the hefty, backloaded deal was too rich for their blood.
Are the Bulls making a mistake by letting the 7'0" center walk? Mark Potash of the Chicago Tribune certainly doesn't think so. Potash writes that the $15MM cap hit that Asik would carry in the final year of the contract would loom over the team and simply wouldn't be worth it for a player who is as offensively challenged as Asik. While the Turkish big man shines in the low post defensively, he averaged just 3.1 PPG in 14.7 minutes per contest which would translate to 7.6 PPG per 36 minutes. Of course, it's hard to imagine Asik seeing that much playing time as he is firmly entrenched as a member of the club's second unit.
Still, even Potash admits that Asik's presence will be missed when the Bulls go head-to-head with the Heat. And while the Bulls found a suitable backup in Nazr Mohammed, it's hard to imagine the club getting similar output from him. It's your turn to weigh in – are the Bulls making a mistake in letting Asik go?
Should The Bulls Match Asik's Offer Sheet?
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No 88% (1,654)
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Yes 12% (215)
Total votes: 1,869
Poll: Which Team Will Win Howard Sweepstakes?
The conversation surrounding Dwight Howard's future as a member of the Magic has consumed the thoughts and minds of front office executives, members of the media and fans across the globe. Month after month, rumors have surfaced with information that Howard's headed to one particular team in exchange for some group of players, picks and prospects, only to seemingly lose credibility and fall apart just as quickly as it came to fruition.
With no deal in sight, the Magic announced on Saturday that they hope to move Howard by the beginning of August to gain some sense of closure heading into the new season. The question becomes which team will win the sweepstakes and add arguably the best big man in the league to its roster.
Which Team Will Win The Dwight Howard Sweepstakes?
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Lakers 57% (1,759)
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None, he'll remain with the Magic for the entire 2012/13 season 14% (423)
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Rockets 11% (342)
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Nets 8% (262)
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Other 6% (187)
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Hawks 4% (115)
Total votes: 3,088
Poll: Should Knicks Match Lin’s Offer Sheet?
With the Knicks set to acquire point guard Raymond Felton from the Trail Blazers, the team is left to decide whether it should match Jeremy Lin's backloaded offer sheet from the Rockets. The Knicks would have four point guards on their roster if they elect to retain Lin's services, which could make for a very crowded backcourt.
There's no denying the impact Lin made during the 2011/12 season, but he only managed to play in 35 games and suffered a season-ending injury in late March. However, the team's record with Lin on the court (20-15) was significantly better than when he was on the bench or injured (16-15). Should the Knicks pay Lin or should New York simply let the former Harvard star take his talents to Houston?
Should The Knicks Match Jeremy Lin's Offer Sheet?
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No 67% (1,363)
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Yes 33% (673)
Total votes: 2,036
Poll: Who’s Had The Most Impressive Finals?
Through four games, the NBA Finals have had several brilliant performances. Who do you think has been the most impressive?
Who's Had The Most Impressive Finals?
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LeBron James 60% (332)
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Shane Battier 17% (95)
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Russell Westbrook 16% (87)
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Kevin Durant 5% (27)
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Other 2% (11)
Total votes: 552
Poll: Build A Franchise Around LeBron Or Durant?
The battle between superstars LeBron James and Kevin Durant has stolen headlines throughout the NBA Finals as the series heads to Miami tied 1-1. For James, winning his first ring in his third trip to the Finals would validate a career highlighted by individual achievement but lacking a Larry O'Brien Trophy. For Durant, winning a championship arguably ahead of schedule would start the dynasty chatter and make many wonder if James will retire as the best player to never reach basketball's pinnacle. With both James and Durant playing basketball at a remarkably high level, we ask you to consider tonight's poll question: Which player would you rather build a franchise around?
Who Would You Rather Build A Franchise Around?
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Kevin Durant 72% (718)
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LeBron James 28% (285)
Total votes: 1,003
Poll: Small Forward Most Likely To Be Traded?
A number of teams in the draft lottery, such as the Bobcats, Warriors, and Raptors, are seeking an impact veteran at the small forward position, with the Lakers, Timberwolves, and Rockets among the other teams who have the trade assets to pursue an athletic wing player. Three of the league's more talented small forwards, Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay, and Danny Granger, could probably be had this summer for the right offer, meaning the rumor mill should be active. So today's poll question is simple: Which of these impact threes do you think will be moved this offseason, or do you expect all three to remain with their current teams?
Which Player Is Most Likely To Be Traded?
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Andre Iguodala 50% (449)
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Rudy Gay 27% (247)
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None -- they'll all stay put 15% (131)
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Danny Granger 8% (73)
Total votes: 900
Poll: Who Wins The NBA Finals?
Last night the Miami Heat advanced to their second straight NBA Finals after defeating the Boston Celtics in a tight Game 7. Here, we ask who you think will be the last team standing?
Who Wins The NBA Finals?
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Oklahoma City Thunder 77% (923)
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Miami Heat 23% (278)
Total votes: 1,201