From West to East

Amare headed East at the start of the season. Melo followed him to NY after his much publicized trade demands. Now Deron Williams is going to New Jersey. Suddenly, the East is loaded with All-Stars.

Of course, while the team-up of Amare and Melo is significant to the East, Williams' recent move to NJ won't mean much if the team cannot contend. With the line up that the Nets have right now, even Deron's presence wouldn't amount to anything unless they load the roster with more quality players.

But what New Jersey is lacking for now they can surely fill in the void with their cap space and the apparent willingness of the team owner to spend provided that they do the right moves. The same cannot be said to the the Knicks. While Melo and Amare are both offensive juggernauts, their supporting cast is simply wanting. Chauncey will provide stability on the backcourt and Anthony Carter is a serviceable back-up while Brewer and Fields could contribute. The rest of the roster I'm not sure what and how much they can contribute. And with the salary NY's 2 stars are getting they won't be going too far.

Still I am happy to see an exodus of quality players going East. The West has always been perceived as a more quality and balanced Division but these recent moves should somehow lessen the difference of quality players that the East and the West have. 

The downside of course is that both teams are in the same Atlantic Division as the Celtics. Realistically, the Celtics, with the core of players they have, aren't going to be contenders for a long time while these teams are starting to build on these young superstars. So I'm hoping that Boston in the next few years would also start tabbing some superstars of their own or develop a couple the same way that they were able to develop Rondo, Perk and Davis and remain to be a powerhouse in the league even after the Big 3 era is over.