The NBA is officially in a lockout, which is bad news for everyone that is a fan of the NBA. We do not really know when the players and owners will get this collective bargaining agreement settled, and there is nothing left to do but hope it gets done quickly. In the mean time let’s take a look at the top five unrestricted free agents of the 2011 summer. It may not be as exciting and dramatic as last summer’s free agent class, but there are definitely some good players out there that can dramatically improve a team’s chances of winning a championship
5. Tayshaun Prince
A product of Compton, California, Prince will be free to sign with any team he chooses after spending his whole career with the Pistons. He won a title with the Pistons in 2004 at the expense of the Lakers. Last season Prince averaged 13.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. Aside from his statistics he is a very versatile player who can play and defend multiple positions. He is very well known for his defense, and is responsible for one of the greatest blocks in NBA history.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJTgSlD7i4U&feature=related
4. Nene
With the shortage of good big men in the NBA this off-season there are a couple of choices to vastly improve your front court, and one of those choices is Nene. At 6 ft 11 in and 250 pounds he is definitely a big low post presence. This past season he averaged 14.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Nene is a very athletic and quick player for his size who plays very physical, but also has a soft touch to his game.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ItWbDAVexQ&feature=related
Next: Heading West
3. Caron Butler
A former Laker, Caron Butler is coming off a season ending injury that prevented him being a part of the Dallas Mavericks run to the NBA title. He only played 29 games last season because of that knee injury, but in those 29 games he averaged 15 points per game and 4.1 rebounds. Caron has been an All-Star and a consistent player throughout his career, and this lockout might be a good thing for him because it gives him more time to rehab his knee. Rest assured that whoever lands Butler will greatly improve their squad.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbsMzMtHKpU&feature=related
2. David West
David West is another player who did not finish the season because of a knee injury and will become a free agent. West averaged 18.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game last season before his season ended after an awkward landing. Nevertheless, he is a very good low post player and a former All-Star. West is very fundamentally sound with a good mid-range game as well. West has spent his entire career with the Hornets, but from the looks of it he will have many teams interested in him.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpMAV-EQL5c
Next: Another Big Man
1. Tyson Chandler
Sure Dirk Nowitzki was the NBA Finals MVP, but Tyson Chandler was one of the major reasons the Mavericks won the NBA title. His low post presence, especially on the defensive end of the court vastly improved the Mavericks in their pursuit of the championship. He controlled the paint with his offensive and defensive rebounding, while his second chance scoring and easy buckets deflated opposing teams. Without a big man and low post presence it is very difficult to compete for a title in the NBA, and Tyson Chandler can be that missing piece to get you over the hump. Last season he averaged 10.1 points and 9.4 rebounds during the regular season. Not to mention he is a California product, but more importantly it is his energy and hustle that can truly improve any roster in the NBA.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG9MsVOgeIw