Some protest this is a complete overuse of power. In fact, I was talking about this trade, and the repercussions with co-writer on Danger Zone, Marshall Lancey. Avid Lakers fan, and neck-beard enthusiast. David Stern has had a shadow cast over his character since the lockout started, to the extent that NBA Star Dwayne Wade and the Commish got into a shouting match during the CBA Negotiations. Lancey brought up the point of this being a complete power struggle. Chris Paul isn't going to re-sign with a team he can't win a championship with, nor is he going to re-sign with the Hornets who traded away his teammate Tyson Chandler, which that duo lead them the furthest they had gone in recent history. So to blame a player for wanting to get out of a bad situation....Are you kidding me? Let's take a look at this trade and break it down.
Three Teams: Lakers, Rockets, and Hornets
Houston gets the great Spaniard Pau Gasol.
LA obviously would receive Chris Paul.
New Orleans would receive two first round picks in the upcoming draft (NYK via Hou/Hou). So you're looking at two potential 10-15 pick slot. Then you get forward Lamar Odom, who is the definition of a X-Factor in the NBA. You also gain Kevin Martin who has been one of the more underrated players in the NBA, Luis Scola who provides solid minutes of productivity and the ability of a F/C. Then Goran Dragic, who was Steve Nash's back up in Phoenix for a few years and has the ability to be explosive, like a watered down J.J. Barea.
The big deal is that LA would shed both Pau and Odom's salaries saving them A.) Luxury Taxes and B.) Roughly about 40 million.
This move would have shredded LA's front court, as well as Houston's bench. Wait...
Has anyone figured out exactly what they're doing in Houston? The Grizzlies couldn't center a team around Pau Gasol, which is why he was traded for his brother (basically) a few years ago. What does Houston have up their sleeve down there, or are they just hoping. You know what who cares, Yao Ming, and T-Mac are gone. Go Texans.
But many owners felt like, this trade violated what the CBA worked so hard for. To prevent the Big Market Evil Empire teams from ravaging Small Market Ma and Pa teams for talent. But....honestly, do I detect a hint of annoyance and jealously from many owners in this situation. Think about it, the Hornets get 4 good role players, and possibly court David West to stay, or say screw it, trade him to Memphis get Marc Gasol, and pick up soon-to-be Free agent Chauncey Billups to replace Paul. You got yourself a good team right there.
But no. No. Let me take my GM hat off, and put on my "Look Dan Gilbert, just because LeBron basically stole your wallet for multiple years, and ran the Cleveland Cavaliers, doesn't mean you get to bitch' hat.
In fact. It turns my stomach that Dan Gilbert has the audacity to even speak to the public. Owners should be able to speak to the media, have opinions, they're important part of the sport itself realistically. But there is no excuse for Dan Gilbert's idiocy, and pure ignorance. Oh boo-hoo, you know what. How about next time your team finishes with the worst record, you don't get 2 lottery picks. You get one, and have to give the other to LeBron who gets to draft the player, and recommend great beach houses in Miami. Hmm?
Not to mention, these owners want to protect small market teams. It rarely gets smaller than the New Orleans Hornets. They had a chance to make something out of nothing, because Paul has openly expressed he is not resigning. Why not allow them to get SOMETHING out of it. But No, because they can't make blockbuster trades, and the strong get stronger, and the weak get better than them, they get their torches and pitchforks, and run to David Stern's office.
You know what, I'm going to defend David Stern right here. More than likely there are very few players who respect that man, and due to the fact that the league basically 'runs' the Hornets until a new owner is found, he had to agree with the Owners, or else he would be a third party in the show, and more than likely be replaced as Commissioner in the foreseeable future. (Shaq '13)
Honestly, the League dropped the ball. The Hornets literally got screwed out of this trade, they didn't bat an eye when the Lakers basically put a bow on Kwame Brown, and kidnapped Pau Gasol. It's just ridiculous.
So....
Back to the Hot Stove.
ESPN's Chris Broussard reported that Dwight Howard will put in a request to be traded to the Nets. The trade offer the Nets have assembled a few weeks ago includes C, Brook Lopez, and 2 First Round Picks. I love the Nets, I love the fact that they have a bad-ass Russian Owner, and Jay-Z. They're going to Brooklyn, and if IF they can get Dwight Howard (Depending on Adolf Stern) They greatly increase their chances to re-sign Deron Williams. New Look, New Arena, New Talent. Another plus for the Magic in this trade, is the Nets would take back Hedo Turkaglu's salary, freeing up the Magic to try to fill the void in the paint.
Tyson Chandler appears to be headed to New York, to join Amare "Where the ' go?" Stoudemire, and Carmelo "I make my own trades" Anthony in MSG. This could be one of the more potent offensive front courts the NBA has seen in a long time. Amare has never been the 'best' Center, he dominates guys at the PF position, signing Tyson Chandler will allow S.T.A.T to move into that slot, and blossom under D'Antoni's offense. Melo will be Melo. The worry there is ego, it apparently was Tyson 'Too Big' Chandler to ask Mark Cuban to mail him his ring at MSG.
Shane Battier and Eddy "All U Can Eat" Curry have reportedly decided to becoming the newest groupies for the Miami Heatles. Shane Battier will provide a pure defensive presence, he is a tenacious defender, who will do dirty work. Imagine a less crazy Ron Artest. Eddy Curry, has played 10 games in 3 season. Has had plenty of work ethic issues, and basically is just an attempt to fill the void that is needed because Chris Bosh is kind of a wimp. Lets be honest. However, if Curry can play to his potential, stay in shape, he will be some kind of monster in the Miami front court.
Tracy McGrady somehow still has a career. I'm trying to figure out if him and former teammate/family member Vince Carter have a bet going on who will be the least important player on the least important team.
Tayshaun Prince has agreed to return to the Detroit Pistons. It seems that McGrady might have just been 'bad blood' for the Pistons, who are looking to try and rebuild off their defensive first, offensive maybe ideals. Prince is a great player who deserves a better team than the Pistons have been. But to each his own I suppose.
Shannon Brown will be catching Steve Nash passes, after opting out of his option to stay with the Lakers, he will join the Suns for a 1 year, 3.5 million dollar deal. Brown's biggest accomplishment was being on the Top 10 plays on ESPN a couple of times. Poor Steve Nash
The Mavs were gutted so far, JJ Barea and DeShawn Stevenson look unlikely to return, Tyson Chandler will be running up and down the court for the Knicks, and Caron Butler just signed a deal with the LA Clippers. Look for that team to be a force with Eric Gordon, Butler, and the Griff-Show.
So who do we got left?
Well Nene seems to be the biggest fish in the pond right now. If the Dwight Howard to New Jersey trade falls through, look for the Nets to scoop him up and add him to the mediocre talent they got so far. Grant Hill is torn between the Spurs and Suns right now. I feel like San Antonio would be a great fit for the 39 year old. Thus making the Spurs the oldest team in the NBA by leaps, bounds, and decades. Also, with the Tyson Chandler trade, look for Chauncey Billups to possibly appear in a different uniform.
In fact, if the Paul-to-La trade stays busted, you may see a version of the Houston-La-Orlando type trade with Bynum replacing Pau in the discussions, and Chauncey filling a great void for the Lakers. Though who knows how long Billiups has left in the tank.
So there is my rant. David Stern, Dan Gilbert, I'll meet either or both of you in the parking lot for a street fight. Also anyone who wants to start a fantasy basketball league, hit me up at @RobBrown50 #TeamFollowBack
"You don't give a Monkey a latte"- Will Ferrell
"You don't give a Monkey a latte"- Will Ferrell
Goodnight folks
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