[Izulde]

Atlanta Hawks receive
PG Tony Parker
Houston Rockets 2018 2nd round pick

Houston Rockets receive
C Jayson Alexander
SG Jamar Jefferson

What this means for the Hawks
Atlanta's in the midst of its best season since 2012, when they finished 42-40 and made the playoffs as the #7 seed. Parker's old, but he's still got game and makes a terrific first guard off the bench option. Throw in the expiring $7.2 million contract and you've got an Atlanta team that's going to have some serious cap money to play with next offseason and a probable playoff performance to add to it.

What this means for the Rockets
Jefferson was released immediately after the trade, so this is all about Alexander, whose sole strength is rebounding. He's an end of the bench player, 30 years old and has been a bust ever since he was taken 10th overall by the Hawks in 2009. A career-long Hawk, he leaves just when they're getting good.

Winner: Atlanta
It's hard to see why the Rockets even made this trade, as they gain no benefit out of it, even financially, as Parker's $7.2 million expiring deal would've given them much more flexibility than the contracts they took on. Great acquistion by the Hawks.

Boston Celtics receive
SG Jason Richardson
Indiana Pacers 2018 2nd round pick

Indiana Pacers receive
PF Byron Davis
C Chris Washington

What this means for the Celtics
Richardson, 36, is a terrible ballhandler for a guard and only has mediocre defense. But on the other hand, he can score, averaging 9 points as a reserve this season. Still, this takes away PT for raw, but potentially promising Pete Latham who's shown major strides in this, his third season. Then again, there's the $5.5 million expiring contract.

What this means for the Pacers
This is about Davis, as Washington was cut. Davis is a good defender, but that's all and on top of it, he's a D-leaguer. It's hard to say that this move looks like anything but a tanking trade on Indiana's part.

Winner: Boston
The C's actually get benefit out of this. It only works for Indiana if the Pacers tank their way to the #1 pick.

Charlotte Bobcats receive
PG Raymond Felton

Chicago Bulls receive
PF Sean May

What this means for the Bobcats
Even at 34, Felton's a nice all-around reserve guard to have and he can serve as another mentor to rookie Jameel Williams. The expiring $6.8 million contract, $1.4 million more than May's, doesn't hurt either.

What this means for the Bulls
You know your center situation is in trouble when you have to start a 34 year old PF whose best skill is free throw shooting. May's mediocre in every other area, but the Bulls are missing Austin Buller so much, he's the new starting C. Chicago fans are -not- happy with the front office, to be sure.

Winner: Charlotte
Felton returns to the Bobcats and couldn't be more happy to do so. Charlotte's thrilled to have him as well. Meanwhile, the Bulls continue to destroy what was once a promising young core of players.

Philadelphia 76ers receive
PG Brian Metcalfe
L.A. Clippers 2018 2nd round pick

Los Angeles Clippers receive
SF Jason Tackett
PF Ryan Gill
SF Thaddeus Young
C Chris Kaman

What this means for the 76ers
Metcalfe is a better defender than Pete Bannister and his presence allows Philadelphia to shift Bannister to SG where he can concentrate on scoring rather than running the offense. Great pickup for the 76ers, as Metcalfe's a much better floor general than Bannister and is a veteran presence.

What this means for the Clippers
Young and Kaman got their pink slips, so it's Tackett and Gill. Tackett's traded for the second time this year and it's not a happy situation he steps into, but he's such a team player it'll be fine. Gill, Philadelphia's 2nd round pick this year (10th pick in 2nd rounder) is roster fodder.

Winner: Philadelphia
The 76ers just robbed the Clippers and ensure the Red and White will stay one of the league's worst teams.

Toronto Raptors receive
SF Jerrance Newman

Memphis Grizzlies receive
SF Garvin Marks

What this means for the Raptors
Newman, taken 26th overall in 2012 by the Celtics, is a solid all-around swingman. Not great at anything, but not horrible either. He also comes very cheap this year and next, under $1 million. That's great value

What this means for the Grizzlies
Marks, taken 29th last year by the Raptors, is terrible, like most of the rest of his class is. The only benefit to the Grizz? $800,000 off next year's salary bill.

Winner: Toronto
This is why the Raptors are two-time defending NBA champions. They make smart moves like this.

Blah onto the improved Raptors.

Indiana continues Operation Tank, bowing out 126-90 to open the month. Ben Gordon scored 35 points and Rudy Braun, yes -that- Rudy Braun, finds his way to 10 points off the bench, but by and large you get the sense that this Pacers team has quit. Marcelino Augusto rampages for 27 points and 13 rebounds, Mateen Yeaton scores 30 and our old men of the bench come through again, as Michael Redd scores 13 and Emeka Okafor adds 14 points.

We drop a close one, 100-96, to the Clippers in Los Angeles, our first loss since the trade. We forget how to play defense and so Mateen Yeaton's 32 points, Marcelino Augusto's 22 points and Zelipe Gama's 10 points and 10 assists come to naught. Ron Collier pisses me off by going 3 for 13. He won't be back next year, I can tell you that much right now.

Ron Collier is a horrendous 3 for 14 our next game and we lose 107-96 at home to the Trailblazers. Mateen Yeaton scored 21 and Zelipe Gama was everywhere with 22 points and 12 assists, but not even those two can combine with Michael Redd's 10 bench points to give us a win.

We really need to win the first game of the back-to-back that's up next, because it's against the Spurs. Thankfully we do, triumphing 111-98 behind 32 points from Mateen Yeaton, 26 points from Zelipe Gama and terrific bench performances from Kirk Hinrich (13 points) and Emeka Okafor (double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds). Phoenix flames out 94-74 against us the next night, Mateen Yeaton extinguishing the Suns with 33 points, David Jackson doubling with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

There've been a lot of frustratingly close losses this year and we pick up another one, 110-107 against the Bobcats as we implode in the fourth quarter. 27 points from Marcelino Augusto? Wasted. 25 points from Mateen Yeaton and 10 points and 12 assists from Zelipe Gama likewise go for nothing.

Mateen Yeaton singlehandedly makes sure the Clippers don't sneak another upset in the 102-96 victory over them with 37 points. Kirk Hinrich and Emeka Okafor continue to laugh at Old Man Time with 9 points and 11 assists and 13 points respectively off the bench.

Tim Davis debuts at C against the Bucks and promptly scores 20 points in the 118-87 blowout. Marcelino Augusto gets 19 points and 11 rebounds, Mateen Yeaton scores 21 and we have a surprising showing from the reserves. No, it's not Kirk Hinrich's 10 points, but Ron Collier's 7 for 10 night for 16 points. David Jackson has taken over the starting SF spot, at least for now, and I'm thrilled he's there, as our cockiest player is much more steady and consistent.

We take the magic out of the Wizards, winning 102-81 as Marcelino Augusto highlights the night with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Mateen Yeaton scores 25, Zelipe Gama has 13 points and 10 assists and Ron Collier continues to thrive in a reserve role with 10 points and 8 rebounds.

Austin Buller comes ready to play against us and is incredible with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. But then Mateen Yeaton gets inspired and puts on a show of 38 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 7 blocks and 8 steals. Combine that with David Jackson's 13 points and 13 rebounds and you're looking at a 115-96 Nuggets win.

A shootout against Sacramento goes the wrong way and we lose 110-101. Mateen Yeaton scores 36 and Marcelino Augusto muscles his way to 19 points and 13 rebounds, but our bench is suddenly looking very old and very tired. A worrying trend.

26 points from Mateen Yeaton and 10 points and 16 rebounds from Tim Davis don't mean jack when you're shooting 36.7% as a team and that jackass Ron Collier is shooting 3 for 11. 89-75 loss to the Suns to make it two defeats in a row. I'm officially annoyed.

We spank the Jazz 113-83 as Mateen Yeaton lets loose for 31 points and Zelipe Gama was giving everyone a hand with 20 assists. Our bench may not be dead after all, as Michael Redd ressurects for 18 points and Good Ron Collier shows up with 14 points.

Another big game to front end the doubleheader against the Spurs. We prevail 112-100 as Mateen Yeaton scores 35, Tim Davis kicks the door in for 23 points, Marcelino Augusto and is noteworthy with 12 points and 10 rebounds. But the real story is Ron Collier exploding off the bench for 26 points, as San Antonio just couldn't find an answer for him. Naturally we have a hangover the next night and lose 104-95 to the Suns, squandering 17 bench points from Ron Collier, who's fighting to get his starting job back.

Ugly, ugly month. We've given away advantage to the Spurs for the top seed. They're 51-22, we're 50-22. Memphis is still in it as well, at 49-22. Dallas remains the lone other team above .500 at 41-31, though Seattle is at least 36-36. Sacramento's winning the punchless Pacific at 33-41, a game up on the Lakers, three ahead of the Suns.

The Raptors have all but secured the first overall seed in the NBA with 57-15 mark. Lots of fighting for the lower playoff seeds, though.

Milwaukee's one game ahead of Detroit for the Central title and winning the division is going to be key, as the Bucks are just 39-33 and the Knicks are fighting their asses off to get back to the playoffs at 38-33. One of Detroit, New York and Milwaukee is going to be sitting home and I'd lay odds on whoever loses the Central being that one.