The Boozy on Dale Davis, Giving up too much, and Juan Gone.

Ok, ok...I know what you are thinking, “Boy, I’ve sure missed the Boozy” and “When is the Boozy coming back?” Well, much like the Diesel, I'm back to make the Boozy an unstoppable force. To the Doozy who made it known to all our loyal readers that he has written four straight entrees, I'm sorry. I messed up. I messed up big. Enough of that...Let's move on...

I don’t think this is an exaggeration when I say this will go down as the biggest mid-season trade deadline in NBA history. No less then eight former all-stars landed on new teams over the last month. That’s absolutely amazing! Not only that, the flurry of transactions has created, what everyone expects to be, one of the most competitive playoffs in NBA history.

But what I find fascinating is the trades themselves. When was the last time in the middle of season were this many legitimate all-stars were traded? After some hasty and half-assed research, The Boozy discovered in Feburary 2005, Baron Davis was dealt to Golden State for Dale Davis, Speedy Claxton, and cash money. Only two years later, Baron would grow a huge beard. Also in 2005, Antoine Walker was traded back to Boston for a bunch of parts and contracts. At the time Boston fans were thrilled. Then they realized Antoine still liked to shoot...alot. In 2003, Jesus Shuttlesworth, or Ray Allen to those not familiar with "He Got Game", was traded from the Bucks to Seattle. Two years later, he would lead the Sonics to an improbable playoff run. Point being, trades happen in the NBA. But it’s rare to find trades with this much star power or championship repercussions, especially in the middle of the season.

Nearly every team (ok, not my Wizards, but more on them later) with a punchers chance of making the playoffs made some move to try to push them over the top. Because I am such a great guy, here’s a quick and dirty guide on how each move affects the contending team this year.

(A side note: Many of these trades will have huge repercussions in the future, both positive and negative. But here at the Boozy, we live in the moment. So therefore, this is strictly how it will effect the team this year.)

(A second side note: This is only the first half. Second half of the list will be constructed tomorrow)

In alphabetical order:

Atlanta Hawks: They acquired a shoot-first, pass-second point in Mike Bibby. He’s definitely an upgrade over the below-average mishmash of point guards they had before. They didn’t have to give up much to get him either, including failed first rounder Sheldon Williams. The Hawks sit in 9th in the East, a game out of the playoffs. This could push them to grab the 8th spot in the East. But I guess when you’re the Hawks, that’s an accomplishment.

Chicago Bulls: They dumped Ben Wallace, who everyone hailed at the time of his signing as the gladiator who was going to take the Bulls to post-Jordan promise land. Well that didn’t really happen. But they actually did get a nice little haul for him and Joe Smith. Drew Gooden has struggled this season, but he is still young and makes a very good back-up power forward, if not starter. Larry Hughes is an expensive, often injured, gambler, both on offense and defense. But he can light up the scoreboard and occasionally plays good defense. If he stays healthy, he is a pretty good shooting guard.

Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron wanted Kidd and what he got was Big Ben, Wally World, Joe Smith, and Delonte West. Those are four solid role players who play specific roles for this team. A very solid trade for the Cleveland Lebrons, er Cavs. The Cavs aren’t in the same class as the Pistons and C’s, but it puts them squarely the third best team in the east. But I wouldn’t count against Lebron, especially with a team built around him that will fill roles.

Dallas Mavs: Everyone is knocking the Mavs for giving up too much for the future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd. They did. This was a trade to make a trade. Kidd will give the Mavs toughness, character, and a bigger body (at least compared to Harris). But Diop was the only guy on the Mavs who even wanted to play defense. Harris is young, very quick, cheap, and decently talented. Kidd is a good acquisition, even at 34, but the Mavs already had a good point guard.

Detriot Pistons: I know they only made a very minor trade. But I had to include it. Juan Dixon, a Boozy favorite, becomes a Piston. He will add lots of energy. That’s a good thing.

Before I put a “To Be Continued” on this, one quick note:

Major props goes to the other side of the Boozy for his full-blown review the Rudy Gay YouTube dunk contest submissions. I can pretty much guarantee you that you will not find that on any other basketball related website.

Now I can do this…”To Be Continued”