The Sports Rotation

Isn't it funny what a difference a few weeks makes.  A few weeks ago, the Denver Nuggets were an up and coming talented team with a dynamic scorer in Carmelo Anthony and a proven floor leader in Chauncey Billups that could look at the 2009 offseason as time to mature.  A roster that someday could compete for an NBA championship.  A few weeks ago, the Los Angeles Lakers finished off the Orlando Magic in convincing fashion , as they solidified themselves as the team to beat in the NBA.  And that future seemingly keeps on getting brighter with a mature Kobe Byrant and an aggressive Pau Gasol (the second best big man in the Western Conference...yes 2nd to Yao Ming) leading the way as they look for Andrew Bynum (and possibly free agent to be Trevor Ariza) to continue to improve their games. People were almost guaranteeing them the next 2 championships. 

Well just over 6 weeks ago, the Spurs were left for dead.  They were the old cranky grandfather that no one liked, who got on everyones nerves, that everyone was waiting to pass away, who you always had to pay your respects to.  Or more to the point, last year they were the two man show of "old creaky knees" Tim Duncan and "Mr. I can't believe this guy is better at basketball than me" Tony Parker...I mean really does Parker look like a baller...cmon.  And with Manu Ginobili's injury, it appeared their star had faded in Texas, especially after the beating they took from the Dallas Mavericks. But I'm here to tell you the old cantankerous man is back.  Not back fully as we have to wait to see how Ginobili heals from his ankle injury.  But the trade for Richard Jefferson for a bag of chips (really how does a team like the Spurs pull that off...for essentially Bruce Bowen and Kurt  Thomas) is a step in the right direction.  Don't underestimate how good of a trade this is for the Spurs.  Jefferson is an All-Star capable of getting to the rim with ease, knocking down open jumpers, and making plays for his teammates.  More importantly, the Spurs have saved themselves an extra 15 games of not having to have Tim Duncan log extra minutes during the regular season with having another capable scorer to fill in.  But the most important fact is that Jefferson is a beast off the pick and roll and in the open floor something the Lakers had a hard time guarding in the past.  It's a good thing David Stern was able to capitalize on the Celtics last year and  Kobe (his lone star player) getting his ring this year because this type of trade might signal his last ratings spike in the NBA championships for a while.