Re-Grading Biggest NBA Transactions of Last Three Years
By Alec Nathan http://0rz.tw/pNGEE
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★Brooklyn Deals for Joe Johnson
To say that the Brooklyn Nets' salary cap management has been shaky would be
an understatement.
如果說籃網隊的薪資管理是很不考靠的，這只是一種保守的說法。
By acquiring Joe Johnson in July of 2012, the Nets added nearly $20 million
to their cap in 2012-13 and padded it with close to $70 million over
the next three seasons.
So far, Johnson's play has not justified those gaudy numbers the Nets
are forking over.
籃網隊在12-13年以將近$20M價碼簽下Joe Johnson，
並且往後三年的總團隊薪資將逼近$70M。
到目前為止，Johnson的表現還未證明自己符合籃網給他的價碼。
In his first season with the Nets, Johnson averaged 16.3 points per game,
the fewest he's averaged since the 2003-04 season
(16.7 points per game with the Phoenix Suns).
What's more discouraging is that Johnson shot 42.3 percent from the field in
2012-13, the second-worst mark of his career.
Johnson在籃網首季的場均得分:16.3PTS，是他從03-04球季後的生涯新低。
(03-04球季，在太陽隊，場均得分:16.7PTS。)
而更令人失望的FG%:42.3%，這是他生涯第二低的表現。
While the move to acquire Johnson as a backcourt sidekick to Deron Williams
seemed like a calculated risk at the time, it's becoming clear that Johnson's
play may never reach the level it did when the Atlanta Hawks bestowed
a max contract on him in the summer of 2010.
當籃網隊網羅Johnson成為Deron Williams的後場搭檔時，看似就是一個風險。
因為顯而易見地，Johnson也許再也無法達到當年(2010)老鷹隊給他頂薪時的身手。
Grade: C
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★New Orleans Pelicans Sign Eric Gordon to Max Offer Sheet
When the New Orleans Pelicans (formerly the Hornets) signed Eric Gordon to
a four-year, $58 million max offer sheet last summer, it was clear that a
risk was being taken.
當去年鵜鶘隊(前身黃蜂隊)以4年總薪資$58M的頂薪合約簽下Eric Gordon時，
明顯是在冒險。
Gordon has always been on the cusp of stardom and appeared to be well on
his way to breaking through after averaging 22.3 points per game on
45 percent shooting during the 2010-11 campaign.
Gordon在10-11年球季，總是表現地像頂尖的明星球員，並且有著場均得分:22.3PTS。
(FG%:45%)
However, Gordon has never played a full 82-game slate
(or 66 games during the lockout shortened season of 2011-12) to date,
and he managed to appear in just 42 games last season.
然而，Gordon生涯中從來沒有一季健康的全勤82場比賽，而12-13球季只出賽了42場。
(*註:11-12年縮水賽季，總共66場比賽，只出賽9場。)
At this point, the Pelicans seem ready to admit that they made a mistake
in signing Gordon to such a generous deal.
根據這點，鵜鶘隊似乎已經準備承認他們給Gordon如此慷慨的合約是個錯誤。
According to WWLTV, general manager Dell Demps hasn't made any promises
regarding Gordon's return, as there remains a chance he could be shipped
out of town this summer.
根據WWLTV報導，總管Dell Demps還未對Gordon的留隊作出任何承諾，
哪怕是在今夏能夠有一些機會能夠把他送去別隊。
(*註:http://0rz.tw/x0a0X )
Grade: D
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★Toronto Makes Deadline Deal for Rudy Gay
A controversial move at the time, the Memphis Grizzlies decided it would be
financially prudent to deal Rudy Gay at the 2013 trade deadline.
Not only was the move a monetary success for Memphis, but it freed up more
opportunities for Mike Conley to grow as a playmaker.
灰熊隊在2013年交易截止日時，作了一個非常有爭議性的動作。
他們因為經濟因素考量，將Rudy Gay交易出去。
For Toronto, it remains unclear if the gamble for Gay was worthwhile.
對於暴龍隊來說，目前還未證明這個對於Gay的賭注是否值得。
The Raptors took on more than $37 million over the next two years in salary
(assuming Gay exercises his player option worth $19 million for 2014-15),
but Gay's performance over his first 33 games North of the border was
rather encouraging.
暴龍隊將在往後兩個球季付出超過$37M的薪資給Gay。(假使他執行14-15的球員選項)
而Gay在暴龍隊開始的33場比賽中的表現，是相當值得鼓勵的。
Gay averaged 19.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game after being traded,
but he will need to cut down on the mid-range jumpers and refine his
offensive game in order for the trade to be a win for the Raptors
in the long term.
Gay在被交易至暴龍隊後的場均: 19.5PTS + 6.4REBS。
但如果他要成為暴龍隊長期的致勝關鍵，
他仍需要減低他的中距離跳投次數，並更琢磨進攻端的技術才行。
Grade: B-
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★Brooklyn Swings Deal for Deron Williams, Signs Him to Max Contract
The Brooklyn Nets' acquisition and signing of Deron Williams strengthened
an improving Eastern Conference, one that is now laden with superstars
in large markets.
籃網隊網羅了Deron Williams來鞏固球隊實力，並在12-13球季挺進季後賽。
目前是一隻在更大的市場中充滿眾多超級明星的球隊。(New Jersey -> Brooklyn)
Although the Nets dealt promising young pieces Derrick Favors and
Derrick Harris and a draft pick that wound up being the rights to Enes Kanter
to Utah in the deal, it was one made out of necessity.
即使籃網隊為了得到Williams而承諾將年輕肉體Derrick Favors & Derrick Harris
，以及一枚或許能夠選到Enes Kanter的選秀簽交易到爵士隊。
但這個承諾是沒有必要的。
With a move to Brooklyn looming, the Nets needed to pull the trigger on
a deal that would net them a superstar.
Williams fit the bill, and as far as point guards go, he can stake his
claim as one of the better scorers at the position.
當球隊遷移到布魯克林這座繁華都市時，籃網隊有需要透過交易網羅一名超級球星。
而Williams非常適合，身為一個控衛，他能夠主張自己是這個位置上較好的得分手。
While the Nets did tie up $100 million in Williams over five years,
he's a reliable scorer
(17.8 points per game on 45.3 percent shooting from the field for his career)
and distributor (nine assists per game for his career) who has Brooklyn
trending in the right direction under his offensive guidance.
儘管籃網隊以5年總薪資約$100M的高價合約簽下Williams，
但他不僅是一名可信賴的得分手，也藉由他在進攻端上的指揮將球隊帶領到正確的方向。
Grade: B+
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★Los Angeles Clippers Sign Blake Griffin to Max Extension
It's common practice these days to label Blake Griffin as nothing more than
a high-flyer whose breathtaking athleticism has netted him attention
and a big payday.
在今日大家都慣於將Blake Griffin貼上"飛人"與"驚人的運動能力"等標籤，
這讓他得到眾多注目以及一份大合約。
However, the five-year, $95 million extension Griffin was signed to by the
Los Angeles Clippers was well worth the money.
然而，快艇隊以為期五年總薪資$95M的延長合約先下Griffin，是值得的。
Griffin has improved every year since his debut in 2010-11, and over
the first three years of his career, he is averaging 20.4 points
(52.9 percent shooting) and 10.4 rebounds per game.
Griffin從10-11年菜鳥球季開始，每一年都在成長。
他生涯前三年的場均: 20.4PTS + 10.4REBS (FG%:52.9%)
The 24-year-old has also recorded a PER of 22.5 to this point in his career,
while his offensive and defensive ratings have improved incrementally each of
the past three seasons
(2012-13 offensive rating of 114 and defensive rating of 102).
這名現年24歲的球員也寫下本季PER值22.5的成績，
而過去三季，他在攻守兩端的能力都在逐漸成長。
(12-13: ORTG = 114，DRTG = 102。)
A dynamic scoring threat who has developed a strong post game and
mid-range jumper, Griffin has already established himself as one of
the most versatile power forwards in the game.
身為一個有威脅性和活動力的得分者，Griffin已培養出強力的低位能力及中距離跳投。
他已經證明自己是聯盟中最全能的大前鋒之一。
Grade: A-
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★Philadelphia Acquires Andrew Bynum
Did the Philadelphia 76ers' acquisition of Andrew Bynum wind up being a bust?
Yes. But that doesn't mean that the move wasn't a smart one at the time.
The Sixers were coming off of a 2011-12 season in which they severely
overachieved, and they needed to find a way to shake things up while still
remaining competitive in an improving Eastern Conference.
Bynum was supposed to make the Sixers instant contenders for an Atlantic
Division title, but the big man's troublesome knees derailed those plans.
There remains a very real possibility that Bynum, now an unrestricted free
agent, may never step on the court donning a Sixers uniform.
In the deal, the Sixers lost defensive stopper and athletic specimen
Andre Iguodala, one of the NBA's best young centers in Nikola Vucevic,
Moe Harkless as well as a protected first-round pick.
The logic behind the trade was right, but the result just happened
to be disastrous.
(這段內容，恕，略)
Grade: F
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★New York Knicks Snag Carmelo Anthony
The New York Knicks' success of late has hinged on the play of
Carmelo Anthony, the 2012-13 scoring champion who averaged
28.7 points per game for the Atlantic Division champions.
尼克隊在簽下Carmelo Anthony後，在12-13球季大器晚成。
Melo贏得了12-13球季的得分王(28.7PTS)，而尼克隊贏得大西洋分區冠軍。
Since arriving in New York, Anthony has been as good as advertised.
He shot a career-high 37.9 percent from three this past season,
but the Knicks' roster took a serious hit as a result of the
2011 deadline deal.
至從Melo來到尼克隊後，表現就有如過去大家所認識的他一樣好。
12-13球季繳出生涯新高的3PT%:37.9%，
但尼克隊的陣容在2011年交易時，就受到了重創。
The Knicks lost Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, Wilson Chandler,
Raymond Felton (who's since returned) and a 2014 first-round pick
to the Denver Nuggets in the blockbuster.
當時的尼克隊為了得到Melo，而將Danilo Gallinari & Timofey Mozgov &
Wilson Chandler & Raymond Felton(已回歸)和2014年的首輪簽交易至金塊隊。
Anthony has been as good as advertised, and it's a given that a
player of his caliber was going to cost a fortune, but the Knicks
essentially mortgaged their future on him and now find themselves
in an awkward spot.
而Melo一直以來都表現地很好，而尼克隊原本就知道要獲得Melo，並須付出巨大代價，
但尼克隊為了得到Melo，而將球隊的未來當作賭注。
現在他們發現自己處於尷尬的位置。
Iman Shumpert is the Knicks' only other young asset of any value,
as general manager Glen Grunwald pieced together a contending roster
with low-priced, aging vets.
整個球隊只有Iman Shumper是年輕的資產，
而總管Glen Grunwald將球隊陣容建立在"低價"與"高齡"基礎之下。
Anthony made the Knicks relevant again in a national context, and for
that alone the trade should be labeled a success. However, it's important
to keep long-term perspective in mind when evaluating the deal.
Melo已帶領尼克隊再次成為全國的焦點，如果單以這個交易來說應該是成功的。
然而，當我們檢視交易時，保持長遠客觀的角度是很重要的。
Grade: A-
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★Los Angeles Clippers Deal for Chris Paul
When the Los Angeles Clippers acquired Chris Paul in December of 2011,
a culture change enveloped L.A.'s most embattled basketball franchise.
當快艇隊在2011年12月網羅Chris Paul到陣中後，
新的球隊文化因此建立，並將球隊塑造成最有戰鬥力的球隊之一。
Paul's arrival signaled a changing of the guard for the Clippers,
who were instantly propelled into an elite group of playoff contenders
in the Western Conference.
Paul的加入，代表著快艇隊新任領袖的到來，
他也立即將球隊推升到具有季後賽實力的西區勁旅之一。
In a deal that sent Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman and the
eventual rights to Austin Rivers to New Orleans, the Clippers made out
like bandits.
快艇隊有如搶匪一般這筆交易中，將Al-Farouq Aminu & Eric Gordon & Chris Kaman
& Austin Rivers(首輪簽)送到鵜鶘隊。
In Paul's two seasons in L.A. to date, the Clippers have finished fourth
and fifth in the West, appearing in 17 total playoff games.
Paul在快艇隊的兩個球季中，快艇隊分別在西區季內賽排名第四及第五名，
並打了17場季後賽。
The active leader in win shares per 48 minutes (.2439), Paul didn't just
turn the Clippers into a contender, but he made them a destination
that free agents with championship aspirations have flocked to.
這名有著生涯WS/48 = 0.2439值的活躍的領袖。
不僅讓快艇隊轉變成一支勁旅，並且吸引著自由市場中想要嚮往嚐到冠軍滋味的球員們。
Grade: A
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★James Harden Traded to Houston, Signs Max Deal
The most controversial transaction to rock the Association in recent years
was the Oklahoma City Thunder's decision to ship James Harden to the
Houston Rockets after refusing to meet his salary demands.
近年來最有爭議的交易動作莫過於雷霆隊在否決掉James Harden的薪資需求後，
決定將James Harden送到火箭隊。
Already one of the league's best shooting guards at 23 years old, Harden
has made Daryl Morey and the Rockets' front office look brilliant after
his inaugural season in H-Town.
現年23歲的Harden已經成為聯盟最佳的得分後衛之一，
而他讓總管Daryl Morey和整個制服組都因他首發球季的表現，看起來非常精明。
With a bump in minutes, Harden posted career highs in points (25.9 per game),
assists (5.8 per game), rebounds (4.9 per game) and steals (1.8 per game),
while his PER reached a new peak of 23.
在增加上場時間後，
Harden創下了個人場均新高:25.9Pts + 5.8Asts + 4.9Rebs + 1.8Stls (PER值23)
The Harden trade is looking particularly good for Houston after the 2013
first-round pick they traded to Oklahoma City (via Toronto) netted the
Thunder just the 12th overall pick in next month's draft.
而火箭隊將從暴龍隊獲得的首輪簽交易至雷霆隊，確定只是第12順位。
這也讓這筆交易看起來錦上添花。
Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb were thought to be at least adequate
compensation at the time, but Martin's soon to be an unrestricted
free agent, while Lamb's value remains unknown after his rookie campaign.
Kevin Martin & Jeremy Lamb這兩名球員，原先會帶給雷霆隊一些及戰力的彌補。
但Martin很快就會成為非限制自由球員，而Lamb的價值依舊還不明確。
Now that they've got Harden in tow, the Rockets are on the upswing.
Not only do they have one of the league's best offensive creators off
the dribble, but Houston has quickly become an appealing destination
for impending free agents, per CBSSports.
現在擁有Harden的火箭隊，正在起飛升空。
火箭隊不僅擁有聯盟中最佳的持球進攻創造者，
根據CBSSports報導，也快速地成為將要來臨的自由市場搶人大作戰中的強力磁鐵。
Grade: A
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