Which NBA Team Has Improved the Most This Offseason?

Many teams this season have made some important transactions in the free agent market. Obviously, the Heat have improved a lot with LeBron James and Chris Bosh joining, so I won't include them in this list. Teams I will look at will be the Bulls, Lakers, Jazz, and the Celtics.

1. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls have almost become the Utah Jazz East, signing three former Utah players (F Carlos Boozer, G/F Kyle Korver, and G Ronnie Brewer). These three players, along with G CJ Watson, and F Kurt Thomas, have greatly improved the Bulls team. Also, they fired coach Vinny Del Negro, and hired Tom Thibodeau. They did lose Brad Miller and Kirk Hinrich, but Boozer can fill the hole in the post nicely for Chicago, and Watson, Brewer, and Korver can fill in there. Derrick Rose is a very good young PG, and Joakim Noah is a solid rebounder and post player. The Bulls will definitely be playoff contenders next season.

2. Los Angeles Lakers
Yes, the defending champs have improved. They not only kept coach Phil Jackson and PG Derek Fisher, but they also signed G Steve Blake, F/C Theo Ratliff, and F Matt Barnes. Barnes is the key signing for the Lakers, giving them a top defensive perimeter player off the bench. Ratliff is also a good shot blocker and a decent back-up in case injury strikes Andrew Bynum again. They lost Jordan Farmar (to the Nets) and Josh Powell (to the Hawks), but Steve Blake can run the point with the 2nd unit for the Lakers, and Ratliff can replace Powell.

3. Utah Jazz
The Jazz did lose several players (Boozer, Brewer, and Korver as mentioned before, as well as G Wesley Matthews), but the sign and trade deal with Minnesota that landed them Al Jefferson was huge. Jefferson will be a great fit in the Jazz offense, and Raja Bell is a great defender, and has a history of matching up against Kobe Bryant.

4. Boston Celtics
The Celtics had a great offseason in terms of keeping their team together. There were rumors that Ray Allen might leave, or that Paul Pierce would go elsewhere, but the Celtics were able to retain these two, as well as G Nate Robinson and G Marquis Daniels. Coach Doc Rivers also has agreed to return to the team. F Rasheed Wallace retired, and F Tony Allen signed with Memphis and F Shelden Williams signed with Denver, but these three losses shouldn't hurt the Celtics that much. F Jermaine O'Neal was the Celtics only major free agent signing, but he can replace Wallace (and Williams, who didn't contribute much to the team), but Allen could be missed as a spark off the bench.

Overall, I think the Bulls made the most improvements, followed by the Lakers, the Jazz, and the Celtics.

World Cup Semifinal Preview

The first World Cup on the continent of Africa has so far been a great one. With shocking demises from Italy, France, and even round of 16 loser England, as well as the rise of Uruguay and Paraguay from the South American teams, and the continental support of Ghana, the last African team to be eliminated in the tournament. Now, there are only four teams remaining as we head into the semifinals; Uruguay, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain. The first semifinal is Tuesday and 2:30 ET between Uruguay and the Dutch.

Uruguay has been the surprise semifinalist of the group, a country with about the population of Connecticut (roughly 3.5 million people). The team has gone 4-0-1 so far in the tournament, drawing in their opener against France, but propelling themselves forward with victories over South Africa, and Mexico in group play, followed by wins against South Korea in the round of 16, and a thrilling PK victory over Ghana in the quarterfinals. They have been led by star strike Luis Suarez, who has scored 3 goals in the tournament, but will be suspended for the semifinal match after his red card in the Ghana match on his heroic (or cheap, depending on your point of view) handball at the goal line to stop a goal for Ghana in the 120th minute. Diego Forlan also has three goals, and will have to lead the Uruguayans. Also suspended for Uruguay is defender Jorge Fucile.

The Dutch are one of the hottest teams on Earth right now, unbeaten in their last 24 matches. Led by midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who has 4 goals in this tournament. The Dutch had an impressive victory over Brazil in their quarterfinal match, coming from behind after an early goal from Brazil's Robinho. The Dutch definitely have the talent to win the Cup, but many believe overconfidence could be their downfall. The Dutch supporters have been alive in South Africa, with a sea of orange in the crowd in Dutch matches.

My Prediction: the Netherlands win 1-0. Uruguay has solid defense, but they haven't shown the ability to score outside of penalty kicks. I think the Dutch will advance into the World Cup.

In the other semifinal, we have a matchup of more traditional powers in Germany and Spain. The second semifinal is Wednesday at 2:30 ET.

For the Germans, coming into the World Cup it looked like there could be trouble for the team when captain Michael Ballack went down with an injury that will keep him out of the entire cup. Germany's team this is year is led by young stars Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Thomas Müller, a forward who has scored 4 goals for Germany will be suspended for this match, which could be a blow to the Germans attacking force.

Spain is one of the top teams in the world, but fans were worried after a loss to Switzerland in the Spanish opener. The team bounced back, and has been solid in its last 4 matches, all of which were wins. History is against the Spaniards though, as no team has ever won the World Cup after losing their first match. David Villa leads the charge for the Euro 2008 champs, scoring 5 goals in the tournament, all but one of the team's total goals (the other was scored by Andres Iniesta. Spain's major concern has to be striker Fernando Torres, who is coming off of knee surgery and has not looked the same in this World Cup.

My Prediction: Spain wins 3-2. I think Spain's force will come alive and overwhelm the young German team, and lead to a Spain-Netherlands final.

It will be interesting to watch both matches, and the final. Good luck to all 4 teams!