Buzzer Beater

The NBA has done it again. This year's trade deadline has produced another big-time deal that could have come from the pages of a Hollywood script. The biggest deal of year was announced just moments before the deadline passed, and the balance of power in the NBA has shifted once again.

The Lakers started it all when they grabbed Pau Gasol. The arms race started for real when the Phoenix Suns made the trade for Shaq. In terms of big names and marketing, thats about as big as they come. Then came the Jason Kidd Deal to the Mavericks, which took several attempts and dominated the sports-talk shows for a couple weeks before it was all finally completed. Most people agreed that the teams in the southwestern part of the country held all the power.

Then came today's last minute trade. The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a move that is certain to put a smile on the face of Lebron James. In response to thier inability to win during the NBA finals last season, and in an effort to silence the complaints from the leagues brightest star, Cleveland aquired two big-time players who can make a serious impact: Wally Szczerbiak and Ben Wallace.

The Cavaliers sent guard Larry Hughes, forwards Drew Gooden and Cedric Simmons, and guard Shannon Brown to Chicago for Wallace, one of the game's top inside enforcers, and forward Joe Smith. In other words, they gave up the majority of thier starting lineup. But they get a much better talent pool in exchange, and they will almost certainly improve thier playoff position by a slot or two. Right now the team sits in 4th place behind Boston, Detroit, and Orlando. This trade gives them a solid shot at moving up into the #3 or even the #2 spot before the season ends.

Chemistry is the big question now. Many wonder if a sharpshooter like Szczerbiak, a powerhouse like Wallace, and a susperstar like Lebron can mesh well enough to reach the NBA finals. Talented players find ways to win, and all three are proven winners. A talented team with little chemistry will always beat a team with chemistry and without talent. And Cleveland now has a ton of talent.

The scales have shifted. The power now lies in the East. Boston was the frontrunner all season, but they now have some serious competition. And the West needs to be very concerned, because there is no guarentee that they championship will land with one of thier teams this year.