I know officiating is a very tough job because I have done it for myself. Dealing with parents, players and calling fouls at the blink of an eye is a very tough task to do. But the NBA has such biased refs that it is getting very hard to watch more and more basketball games. I haven't missed a Heat game in 6 years now and I can tell you that if you don't have a superstar on your team, it is a lot harder to get a foul call then if you did. Someone who doesn't watch sports can easily sit down and see how some players, like LeBron, Curry, Durant, and Harden get calls whenever they want or they are able to play much more physical defense then others who don't have the same status as they do.
 
I like the NBA when the players play much harder and more physical with each other but what I don't like is when one team gets soft fouls called on them and others can't get a foul called to save their lives. It is very frustrating to watch especially when the refs have a ton of training and they are paid a lot of money to make these calls. They also have a lot of technology to help them make these calls and yet they still end up getting calls wrong that influence the outcome of a game.
 
It's frustrating to see when your team is going out to compete every night to try and win but some players or even other teams get more opportunities to score and hurt the other teams when their best players get fouls early on in the game and have to sit down. Some games that I have watched have looked like the refs have been paid to call games for one team instead of the other but it goes unnoticed and the league doesn't do anything about it. Two games in the past week for the Heat have cost them the game. One happened against Portland as Dame Lillard was "fouled" shooting a 3 as time expired and he went to the line and made all 3 and the game ended. There was nothing Miami could do but sit there as he was able to win the game on free shots.

​The refs called a foul on the final play of the game that was highly questionable and when it comes to being a ref in the NBA, they should not be the deciding factor when it comes to a team winning or losing a game. The second happened when the Heat played the Pacers on a Sunday. Jimmy Butler got a rebound with about 4 seconds left in overtime and the ref ran directly in front Erik Spolstra, who was wanting to call a timeout, and ignored him as Jimmy had to shoot the ball and he missed to eventually lose the game. The league released a document saying that the ref "did not see" Heat head coach Erik Spolstra call a timeout. This is very hard to believe as the ref looked right at Erik and ran right by him and then turned away to run down the court.
 
These are only two games in the past 10 days that have been costly to the Heat, let alone of all the games I've watched over the past 6 years that have cost playoff games and regular season games. The league needs to step in and show accountability when it comes to the refs mistakes who end up dictating the outcome of a game. 

The Heat are on a 6 game losing streak and are now in the 8th spot in the East. Given all of that, they traded for a star in Victor Oladipo right as the trade deadline expired on Thursday afternoon. Victor has been averaging about 26 points a game over the last 8 games that he played for Houston and that scoring will be much needed as the Heat need another playmaker besides Jimmy Butler. Just like Jimmy, he is able to score at will and he is able to play defense at a high level.
 
Although the Heat have lost 6 in a row, they are only 2 games behind the number 4 seed, the New York Knicks, who the Heat play tonight. If they are able to win, this will move them up in the standings and put them closer to the number 4 seed in the east. People often think that last year's Heat team was a fluke but they often forget that last year, they weren't a top seed in the East, they were 5th overall in their conference. That means they didn't have home court in any of the playoff series they played and the teams that they did play, all had better records coming into the playoffs then the Heat did.
 
Looking at that, we know the Heat don't need to get the number one spot to get to the finals, getting that 4th seed is within reach and getting that spot will put them in great position to make a great run in the playoffs.
 
The Heat still have 2 open spots on their roster as they made their trades and since LaMarcus Aldridge changed his mind and felt Miami for the Nets, the Heat look for others to bring to Miami to help them. One of the names that keeps popping up is Demarcus Cousins who over the last few years has been injured but before the Rockets bought him out this season, he was averaging 10 points, 8 rebounds and 2 and a half assists a game. Those numbers are lows for him but he was only playing about 20 minutes a game which is a career low for him. Putting him within the Heat offense, he would be playing close to 30 minutes a game and all of his numbers would go back up.
 
Hopefully the Heat are able to get him to sign with them and bring in another playmaker who is able to block shots, grab rebounds and be able to score on the offensive end. 

​The Brooklyn Nets added another 2 star players to their already loaded roster, Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge. LaMarcus signed with the Nets are being bought out from the San Antonio Spurs after Thursday's trade deadline. Everyone around the league was shocked when he chose the Nets because a lot of sources close to him said that he would be joining the Miami Heat. New sources say that he changed his mind only a few hours before he signed with the Nets. Some people close to the Heat can only wonder if their current 6 game losing streak has anything to do with LaMarcus choosing the Nets over the Heat. Either way, the Nets continue to have a loaded roster and are now the team to beat in the East.
 
I find it shocking that the league allowed 5 stars to all go to one team in the past when CP3 was about to be traded to the Lakers, with a 33 year old Kobe Bryant, and the league stepped in and vetoed the trade so it never happened. Yet about 10 years later, the league allowed 3 superstars to team up and 2 stars join them. The 3 superstars are able to go off for 40 to 50 points at any given night and the 2 stars can give them about 20 to 30 points at any given time. Personally, I think that is unfair to every other team that is going to be playing against him, given that they can score at will whenever they'd like. Unfortunately, my opinion doesn't count and I, along with everyone else in the league, is just going to have to deal with it and try their best to beat them.
 
Over the weekend, Andre Drummond signed with the Lakers, giving LeBron his 3rd super team with each team he has been with. It will be interesting how the Lakers do though considering that LeBron and Anthony Davis are both injured and their current roster are having trouble winning. Either way, both of these players will come back and with a team that includes them, Andre, Montrez Harrell, Dennis Schroeder, and Kyle Kuzma will be very interesting how they do when the playoffs roll around.
 
With both of these super teams getting ready to get to the finals, I think the league should step in and try to even out the current NBA. There is no reason that these teams should be able to be formed. It takes anyway from competition and frankly, takes away from the meaning of winning the championship all together. I mean, it use to be a great thing because of the battles and how hard teams would have to play in order to get there and win, but now it just seems like players want the easy way out and to get a ring as easy as possible. Either way, if either the Nets or Lakers with the championship this year, I will think they are not real champions and won't consider anyone who gets a ring for the first time to actually have won one.
 
What do you all think? Are you okay with these super teams to be formed and take away competition in the league? Let me know! 

Dallas, Miami and Denver brought reinforcements.
The last day of the NBA trade deadline showed some major improvements among teams hungry for a ring.
In the final moments of the market, the Dallas Mavericks made a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. JJ Redick and Italian Nicolo Melli are coming to Texas. James Johnson and Wes Iwundu went to Louisiana, and Dallas gave up a pick in the second round. The newcomers give Luka Dončić's team  more shooters , you can never have too many of those.

The Miami Heat lured star Victor Oladipo into their ranks, and sent center Kelly Olynyk and veteran Avery Bradley to the Houston Rockets along with a 2022 1st round pick swap (top 14 protected) From the Sacramento Kings, the Heat brought Serbian national team player Nemanja Bjelica in exchange for Chris Silva and Moe Harkless.

Events in the NBA market were as varied as expected, with teams looking for missing pieces of the puzzle. Some franchises that openly target the title of champion were also active. The Los Angeles Clippers have lured experienced game organizer Rayon Rondo into their ranks. In return, Lou Williams went to the Atlanta Hawks, with two more selections in the second round .

Andre Drummond, one of the league’s top rebounders, became a free agent after buying a contract from the Cleveland Cavalaiers. Much has been written in recent days about interest from current champion Los Angeles Laker’s . However the Newy York Kicks are a big threat. In the same way as Drummond, the free agent became the center of the San Antonio Spurs - LaMarcus Aldridge. The Philadelphia 76ers, one of the best teams in the East, have strengthened their lineup with veteran George Hill in the exchange of three franchises. The Orlando Magic thoroughly overhauled their team hitting the plunger on a fresh rebuild.

They sent Montenegrins Nikola Vučević and Al-Farouq Aminu to the Chicago Bulls, for whom they received Wendell Carter, Otto Porter and two selections in the first round . Evan Fournier was sent to the Boston Celtics in exchange for two second-round picks, and  Aaron Gordon, accompanied by Gary Clark, went to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, and a first-round selection. Veteran center JaVale McGee from is also coming from Cleveland  to Denver for two second-round selections and Isaiah Hartenstein.

It's hard not to give high grades to Miami, and Denver but Dallas moves are still solid and better than it seems on paper. 
Miami and Denver both earn an A for giving themselves a real chance at getting to the NBA finals and even winning it all. 

We give the Dallas Mavericks a B+ Reddick is a great shooter who can get hot and provide bursts of microwave scoring.  This will put less pressure on Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porginizis in the playoffs and gives them a shot at least getting to the Western Conference finals.
​Not a bad days work.

​This New Orleans Pelicans star broke the record of Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
Zion Williamson became the first basketball player in NBA history to score at least 20 points before turning 21 in 21 consecutive games. The 20-year-old forward, the first pick of the 2019 draft, reached the milestone in a showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he collected 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes.

After the game, he told reporters that he was not personally a supporter of such statistical records, but in the same breath he admitted that he was happy with the achievement.
"I usually give you a short answer, but tonight I'll try a little harder. How hard is it to achieve such a thing? Given my position and the trust I enjoy from the coach and teammates, I could score 20 points already by doing a lot metal to the basket, but this is not a game I would like to play. I want to involve all the players and find the best opportunity to win games.

There are games where it is difficult to score 20 points, but tonight the ball circulated nicely, and with that the match it has become completely open to me. That is how I do it, "the 20-year-old said. Williamson is recording 25.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists this season with a 62 percent from free throw line and 35 percent from the three point line. 

​What should the Sun's do in the upcoming draft? Good question if you ask me. I think it all depends on how their season ends and what their weak points are during the playoffs. It also depends on who stays and who goes during their offseason and what free agents they are able to pick up. Looking at their current roster, I would say that they need to upgrade on the defensive end. They need to draft a wing player who can guard top wings in the league. They also need to draft a big team rebounder and shot blocker to play behind or even alongside DeAndre Ayton.
 
Even though they are averaging about a 6 point difference between how much they are scoring a game and how much they hold their opponents to, it's still their defense that needs to be improved. But looking around the league, defense seems to be what most teams need. The Sun's even though they are allowing on average about 108 points a game, it is still one the lowest allowed points in the league, 4th to be exact. Adding another player who can guard wings and be a solid passer or a top shot blocker and rebound will always be able to help you succeed in this league. If they are unable to draft someone, they can look to add players such as Jarrett Allen or JaVale McGee to help with rebounding and rim protection.
 
Another position that can look to draft is a point guard to play, learn, and hopefully take over from Chris Paul. They will need someone in the future to be their floor General like CP3 is and you can make a strong argument that this year's draft is very deep. They can look to draft a point guard to learn from CP as he is getting older and he is on an expiring contract. This will be able to help their future team by having him learn from a legend at the point guard position. They also don't know if CP will be coming back after this year but after the team's success, it looks like he might.
 
Drafting a point guard to help either replace or learn from a future Hall of Famer, a wing player who can lock up multiple positions, or a rim protector who can block shots and rebound at a high rate would be a great way for the Phoenix Suns to improve their current roster in this upcoming draft. 

The chatter has ended and the trade deadline has passed below are all the deals from this years 2021 NBA trade deadline. How much did your team improve? Find out below.


Heat add wing defense
Heat receive:
Trevor Ariza
Thunder receive:
Meyers Leonard, 2027 2nd round pick

The Bucks add defense
Milwaukee receives:

P.J. Tucker, Rodions Kurucs and a 2022 first-round pick (via Milwaukee)

Rockets receive:
D.J. Augustin, D.J. Wilson and a 2023 unprotected first-round pick,
2021 pick swap Hou 2nd for Mil 1st top 9 protected. 



Kings take a flyer:

Clippers send:
Mfiondu Kabengele, cash
Kings send:
top 55 protected 2nd round pick.




Kings trade for Delon Wright

Pistons receive: Cory Joseph, 2021 2nd via LAL , 2024 2nd via Sac
Kings receive: Delon Wright

Wright, 28, is guaranteed $8.5 million for next season. 

Wright has averaged 10.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Pistons this season.
Joseph, 29, has averaged 6.7 points in 43 games this season.

Nuggets add big man depth

Nuggets receive: 
Javale McGee
Cavs receive:
 2023 2nd top 45 protected and 2027 2nd, Isaiah Hartenstein


Bulls add a star

Bulls receive:
Al Farouq Aminu , Nikola Vucevic
Magic receive:
Wendell Carter Jr, Otto Porter Jr, 2021 1st, 2023 1st

Celtics add wing depth

Celtics receive: 
Evan Fournier
Magic receive:
two 2nd round picks

Nuggets add Aaron Gordon

Nuggets receive:
Aaron Gordon, Gary Clark

Magic receive:
 Gary Harris, RJ Hampton , 2025 1st 


Heat add shooting and size

Heat receive:
Nemanja Bjelica
 
Kings recieve:
Moe Harkless , Chris Silva


Philly adds point guard depth

76ers receive :
George Hill

OKC receives : Tony Bradley,  two future second-round picks,  Austin Rivers 

NY Knicks receive:
Terrance Ferguson

Jazz add shooting:

Jazz receive
 Matt Thomas

Raptors receive:
future 2nd round pick

Clippers add PG Depth

Clippers receive:
Rajon Rondo

Hawks receive:
​Lou Williams, two 2nd round picks

Mavericks add two shooters:

Pelicans receive: 
James Johnson, Wes Iwundu and a second-round pick 

Mavericks receive:
JJ Redick and Nicolo Melli.


Victor Oladipo to Heat

Heat receive: 
Victor Oladipo
​
Rockets receive: 
Kelly Olynk, Avery Bradley, 2023 1st round pick swap

 





Dennis Rodman (born May 13, 1961) is an American former professional basketball player. Nicknamed "the Worm", he is known for his fierce defensive and rebounding abilities.  Rodman was draft by the Detroit Pistons in the 1986 NBA Draft. He was taken with the 3rd pick in the 2nd round number 27 overall. Rodman's career has included playing for the following teams Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association.
His biography at NBA.com states that he is "arguably the best rebounding forward in NBA history". On April 1, 2011, the Pistons retired Rodman's No. 10 jersey, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later that year. 
​
Rodman experienced an unhappy childhood and was shy and introverted in his early years. After aborting a suicide attempt in 1993, he reinvented himself as a "bad boy" and became notorious for numerous controversial antics. He repeatedly dyed his hair in artificial colors, had many piercings and tattoos, and regularly disrupted games by clashing with opposing players and officials. He famously wore a wedding dress to promote his 1996 autobiography Bad As I Wanna Be. 

Rodman has always been a controversial figure but his repeated struggles with alcohol addiction have been quite well documented. 
Rodman has a lengthy history of legal issues stemming from the use of alcohol. He was arrested for drunken driving in 1999 and 2004, the latter resulting in a 30-day house arrest sentence.  He also had a DUI in 2018 and drunking driving charge in 2014. He has twice entered a rehabilitation center for alcohol use and appeared on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Publicly, Rodman has maintained he does not excessively drink alcohol. Rodman has struggled financially and currently has a modest net worth of only 500 Thousand. Linked to his sobriety and legal troubles.

"I'm not an alcoholic," Rodman told the Associated Press in 2014 (h/t USA Today). "An alcoholic drinks seven days a week. I don't drink seven days a week. When I drink, I don't hurt nobody, I don't have no DUIs, nothing like that. Despite these denials his struggles are quite clear. Let's hope he finally beats his demons and stays sober.

​Front runner for Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball has been sidelined for the rest of the season with a wrist injury. This will definitely hurt his chances of winning rookie of the year but it will also hurt the Charlotte Hornets chances of making the playoffs. He was a key part of the Hornets young core as he came off the bench for most of the season but eventually moved into a starting role.
 
Many questioned his ability to play in the NBA as he did not play college basketball, he went overseas to play in Europe but it seems like most of his doubter has been put to rest so far in his early career as he puts up just under 16 points a game, just under 6 rebounds a game and just over 6 assists a game. This is very good for someone who is only 19 years old.
 
He is also shooting 37% from 3 and 45% from the floor. This was a major concern when he was drafted as he was only shooting about 25% from 3 and about 37% from the field. These are very low numbers especially coming from a less talented European league who does not have a lot of premium talent. He clearly did not perform to his standards when playing overseas with numbers like these. But when he got drafted and was surrounded by better coaches and players, he was able to raise all of his stats, especially his 3 point percentage and field goal percentage. If he continues to keep showing these improvements, he will be in the league for a very long time.
 
This is also a big blow to a lot of basketball fans because they have been following him all the way back to his 9th grade season. That puts him at 15 years old and now he's 19. That's a long time for people to be following a player. So for him to be sidelined for the rest of this season, especially after putting on a show with lots of highlights and being the front runner for rookie of the year, is not only a blow to him and his team but also his fans because they are not able to watch him until next season when hopefully he is fully recovered. 

​Welp, it's time to go for Miami. 48 hours to the deadline and they are looking to shake up this team up and build around Bam and Jimmy. Kyle Lowery seems to be a done deal but who might be leaving Miami for this to happen? Maybe Duncan Robison? Kendrick Nunn? Precious Achiuwa? Tyler Herro? Kelly Olynyk? Combination of these 5?
 
I'm unsure of what this trade will look like but at least 2 of these 5 will be playing their last game in a Heat uniform tonight. I have been high on Kendrick Nunn since Summer League two years ago but if Toronto is giving up an older point guard, I think Kendrick will be moved to help replace their loss. Even though I would hate to see him go, I think it would be the right move for Miami.
 
I would prefer Precious to be included in this trade because of how young he is and his ability to be a hard worker and a good rebounder. Miami doesn't seem to be building around him and they are not using him to his full capability. He is a decent midrange and 3 point shooter, yet Miami does not use him this way. It was seen early on in Bams career that they used him as a screener and an energy guy off of the bench. Since they are building around Bam, precious is most likely on the move.
 
Duncan could be on the move as well because he is at the end of his contract and the Heat might not want to pay him all the money he is prepared to get from other teams. If Miami doesn't want to pay him, he most likely will be on the move to another team and Miami would be looking to get another shooter in return, maybe someone who has been on the Heat before, one Wayne Ellington. He was nicknamed "The Man with the Golden Arm" for a reason. The guy this year is shooting 42% on 3s this year and shooting about 7 a game. That is much higher then what Duncan has been shooting this year so it could be a possible trade deal Miami will be looking for.
 
Tyler Herro is a name that Miami does not want to give up but will for the right name. Is Kyle Lowery that name? Possibly? Or it just might be another star that he is traded for in a 3 or 4 team trade to make the money work for everyone involved. While Herro has improved in his midrange and his effectiveness at the rim, his 3 point percentage has dropped this year and, alongside Duncan Robison, has hurt the Heat when in close games.
 
Kelly Olynyk could also be on the move in this trade as well. He is able to stretch the floor and finish at the rim while averaging about 2 assists per game. He is a veteran in the league and would be a solid pickup for the Raptors as they don't have very much spacing when looking at their big men.
 
These are some of the names that could be on the move for a deal for Kyle Lowery or some other big names around the league as the Heat try to significantly improve their roster.