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Basketball Reasons: A Rant on the NBA's Chris Paul Trade Decision

by Mike Lisboa on Dec 9, 2011 1:24 AM MST

The NBA just unilaterally killed what, on paper, was not just a perfectly legal trade, but a pretty damn fair one at that. This wasn't another Pau Gasol for fishsticks-and-a-ride-home deal. The Lakers were giving up 14 feet of mad skills for 6 feet of mad skills. Arguments can be made for or against the wisdom of this trade, but what can't be argued is whether or not it was remotely equitable. This was bar none the best deal the Hornets were going to get for Chris Paul and Dell Demps should be lauded for putting this masterpiece of rosterbation together.

[Note by Mike Lisboa, 12/09/11 8:34 AM PST ] I somehow forgot to include Kevin Martin above, so,the Hornets also bagged a 20 point a night guy. A starting line-up for a superstar with potentially bad knees? Can you imagine if the Suns had gotten anywhere near this value for Amare Stoudemire?

What the NBA, what the owners, what David Stern just did is completely unconscionable. I didn't think I could somehow become more disgusted with NBA owners and league officials than I was during the lockout, but somehow the bar keeps getting lowered.

Put yourself in Dell Demps' shoes. You're an NBA GM. Your team's in turnaround. Your star player is going to leave as a free agent at season's end, come hell or high water. It is in your team's best interest to land the best possible package for that player before you lose him for nothing. So what does Demps do? He only lands a massively-skilled front line in Lamar Odom and Luis Scola, a promising if inconsistent guard in Goran Dragic, and a first round pick. Those, friends, are legitimate building blocks. Sure, the Lakers get a serious upgrade at point guard, but they also get absolutely peeled in the frontcourt.

At this point, if I'm Dell Demps, I not only make this deal, but then I give a Tiger Woods fist pump, pour myself a glass of scotch, and spend the rest of the night patting myself on the back. But then the NBA for whatever impossible-to-defend reason -- oh wait, "basketball reasons" -- steps in and murders my beautiful baby deal. Instead of engaging in some well-deserved self-congratulation, I'm now giving the Tiger Woods dead-eyed-what-just-happened-to-my-life stare, guzzling my bottle of scotch, and spending the rest of the night trying to choke myself with one hand. What should have been a feather in my cap is now bird turd in my hair.

Re-imagine that this is Steve Nash asking for the trade. I'm not sure many that frequent this site could blame him for wanting out of a team in disarray in the last year of his contract. And imagine that somehow, that's the package Lon Babby gets back . Instead of being stuck with the nebulous promise of cap space, your team now has not one, but two legit big men and a first round draft pick (and, you know, The Dragon). Wouldn't you be pissed the league denied the trade for "basketball reasons?"

David Stern and the NBA denying the Chris Paul trade was not about "competitive balance," anymore than the lockout was. This was about control. This was about owners saying, "Our collusion is more important than player collusion." This was about castrating a superstar under contract. This was the NBA telling superstars and apparently, one its most venerable owners, Jerry Buss, "This is our league, not yours."

If I'm Jerry Buss, I lawyer up. If I'm the players, I lawyer up. Hell, if I'm the players, I consider not just lawyering up, but striking as well. This was a groundless decision by a monopoly acting in a non-competitive and decidedly spiteful fashion.

I shouldn't be this worked up about this. The Lakers got screwed? Great. A prima donna player doesn't get his way? Too bad. But something about the way this deal didn't go down is profoundly rotten. It speaks to a shortsightedness and pettiness among David Stern and his owners that even the bitterness of the lockout couldn't reveal. It makes the very idea of supporting a now nakedly corrupt organization revolting.

You know what I'd like right now? Just one good "basketball reason" to tune in this season. Because the Chris Paul trade isn't the only thing the NBA has killed this year.

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SO REC'D!!

And eminently quotable!!

The Lakers were giving up 14 feet of mad skills for 6 feet of mad skills.

This was bar none the best deal the Hornets were going to get for Chris Paul and Dell Demps should be lauded for putting this masterpiece of rosterbation together.

He only lands a massively-skilled front line in Lamar Odom and Luis Scola, a promising if inconsistent guard in Goran Dragic, and a first round pick. Those, friends, are legitimate building blocks. Sure, the Lakers get a serious upgrade at point guard, but they also get absolutely peeled in the frontcourt.

I didn’t think I could somehow become more disgusted with NBA owners and league officials than I was during the lockout, but somehow the bar keeps getting lowered.

I believe the bar has now generated its own gravitational field and has sunk deeply into the earth’s core, creating a black hole.

Mike, I’m not totally sure what to think about this, because the “new” NBA is supposed to be about keeping superstars at home.

But this rant is superbly written— the right mix of righteous anger and jabbing vitriol!

And now DHoward is demanding a trade to the Nets. Does Stern allow that one?

by SteveNash, QuantumPhysicist on Dec 9, 2011 6:59 AM MST reply actions 2 recs

Well said Mike.

This league is still a mess. Even though I hate the fact that stars dictate where they want to play, ( See Dwight Howard and the Nets), and the big market teams still control the league, nixing this deal is just wrong.
The Hornets got a great deal. This is all about control. Control the league and mostly controlling the players. The lockout is over? Far from it. Hell the league is worse.
And we as Suns fans get stuck with Sarver and the destruction of once a model franchise. I never been so disgusted with this league and my Suns.

by Grockcubs on Dec 9, 2011 7:04 AM MST reply actions

awesome

You can follow me on twitter.

sports_dude33

thanks

by sports_dude33 on Dec 9, 2011 7:11 AM MST reply actions

Like I said, a communist move by Stern

Tried to get around the word “nazi”

by Raptorel on Dec 9, 2011 7:49 AM MST reply actions

Like this: "Can you not-see that Stern is trying his best to please both sides?"

by SteveNash, QuantumPhysicist on Dec 9, 2011 9:28 AM MST up reply actions

maybe David Stern realized the Lakers gave up too much for Chris Paul?

Should have been just Odom and World Peace for Paul???? HA!

This IS a “basketball reason”~~~

by sonicking on Dec 9, 2011 7:58 AM MST reply actions

That ain't it...The Lakers aren't stupid with their deals...

Everythime people think they do a dumbe duyal (Shaq to Miami…) it always ends up profiting them…No I think Stern wants to prove to the owners that he heard their complaints about “competitive balance”…It’s obvious this CBA deidn’t addreess the roblem properly or else we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!

by Daryl Ray on Dec 9, 2011 8:27 AM MST up reply actions

Hittin' the T-Bird hard or did 2N hack your account?

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Dec 9, 2011 9:19 AM MST up reply actions

Haven't started drinking yet as it isn't lunchtime

…(My boss definitely frowns upon drinking in the office..)…But it is the Sun God…an ode to the 2NASHTY of the grammatically challenged fame…

STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!

by Daryl Ray on Dec 9, 2011 9:25 AM MST up reply actions

Haven’t started drinking yet as it isn’t lunchtime

don’t worry I had it coverd

happy turkey day

by 2NASHTY on Dec 9, 2011 10:39 PM MST up reply actions

This was about owners saying, “Our collusion is more important than player collusion.”

Beautiful line.

borderline adequate

by waxmonkey on Dec 9, 2011 8:45 AM MST reply actions 3 recs

I thought nowlans

Got great bball value here,I think NBA has opened a can of worms here they will regret.

"BALL"- Turkish poet Hedo Turkeyglue

by stevedavis_ on Dec 9, 2011 8:47 AM MST reply actions

Excuse me?

The NBA owns that franchise and can do what it pleases with it. Sure, the GM put together a nice deal on paper but Odoms doesn’t put butts in the seats like Paul does. Stern whipped the union and has vowed to end players picking what city they’ll play in. Blame the Miami Heat for this; player collusion plain and simple and it stops here.

by JoeBlam on Dec 9, 2011 9:15 AM MST reply actions

This is not what happened.

The NBA owns that franchise and can do what it pleases with it.

The NBA did not block this deal as an ownership entity. The league office killed the trade as an outside agent, which would have made sense had this been sending Chris Paul to the Lakers for a pittance. But it wasn’t that at all. It was as legit an NBA trade as possible under the circumstances.

And exactly what player did Chris Paul collude with? This was not CP3 getting together with Kobe and saying, “Let’s play together.” This was a GM making the best possible deal with a soon-to-be free agent that everyone knew was not going to re-sign with his team. The Heat comparison doesn’t wash.

Twitter: @MikeLisboa

by Mike Lisboa on Dec 9, 2011 9:29 AM MST up reply actions 4 recs

“Yup” seems like a waste of a post so I’ll just say “rec”.

Which amounts to the same thing.

borderline adequate

by waxmonkey on Dec 9, 2011 9:33 AM MST up reply actions

How is the "league office" a separate entity from the league?

Are you saying they did’t use their power as owners of the franchise? The league office is another term for the owners acting through the commissioner. C’mon, this was an NBA owners decision and a fair one to the Hornets fans. If they intend to find an owner during the year they’ll need a drawing card like Paul, not a washed-up Odom. Maybe if the Hornets GM had gotten league approval before the news broke the deal could have been killed in it’s crib without the players named knowing anything about it.

Oh, and don’t think for a minute the Miami-3 cabal doesn’t apply here. Paul has openly stated he will play for the Knicks next year. The Lakers should thank their stars Stein laid the wood to this deal. Paul wasn’t going to remain a Laker. Nice rant but you shot the wrong sheriff.

by JoeBlam on Dec 9, 2011 12:14 PM MST up reply actions

I cannot believe the NBA has been operating the Hornets for so long. The fact that every owner in the league has 1/29th of a say in how this team is run laughs in the face of the term “competitive balance”. Is there any way that when they next try to trade Paul, because they have to, some disgruntled bloc of owners lead by the Lakers and Rockets doesn’t try to block that trade? Stern has said they’ve had people interested in buying the team, but that they wanted to create stability to ensure it’s success in New Orleans. Admirable, but I’m guessing with whatever lawsuit ensues, ultimately illegal. The NBA, where extremely dry legal battles that require 24/7 coverage happen.

by jeffyjr on Dec 9, 2011 9:47 AM MST reply actions

Did you see the letter from Dan Gilbert?

They killed the deal in fear of the Lakers then turning Bynum and draft picks into Dwight Howard. Another Big 3 forming right after a lockout in which they strive so hard for competitive balance? They couldn’t have that.

I do agree with you in that the CP3 trade by itself was pretty fair and it wouldn’t make any sense at all to kill it.

However, I’m glad they did kill it because it may have paved the way for the Lakers to land Dwight Howard. We’d be doomed for next 100 years!

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Dec 9, 2011 12:23 PM MST reply actions

Pretty much how I feel

If they weren’t able to nab Howard after that Paul trade I would not have too much problem with it because NO got some good talent back. But the lack of giving up draft picks, saving 40 million in contracts, and keeping Bynum still is what makes this trade BS for the league because they would be acquiring both of the big superstars available.

by Airwave on Dec 9, 2011 2:13 PM MST up reply actions

same here, Beav.. And I could never be upset about something that hurts the Lakers and makes their fans upset. I love it.

by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 10, 2011 10:57 AM MST up reply actions

The problem is

Demps was already in communication with the league and they didn’t throw up any red flags until the Cavs started whining (no doubt from a recent war wound in the posterior). I loathe the Fakers and frankly wouldn’t bat an eye if CA broke off and floated away but that’s another matter. I definitely agree that this is about exercising control and feeding the egos in the NBA front office. As has ably pointed out, we got Jack Squat for Stats and now NO is facing the same situation. If I was a NO or Faker fan I’d scream foul as well if someone stepped in and squashed this perfectly legal trade. Stern needs to be shown the door before he causes any more damage.

by Tempslip3 on Dec 9, 2011 2:54 PM MST reply actions 2 recs

I'm Loving Every Minute of This

Oh, the palaver … the mindless palaver!!!

Stern couldn’t win. If the deal went through, the lockout that was supposed to return competitive balance to the league would be exposed. The beauty of this whole thing would’ve been that a came from a team that Stern’s office is owning/running.

OTOH, nixing the deal destroyed NO’s hope of getting anything in return for Paul — thereby sealing the Hornets’ doom. Which, of course, could have been avoided if the Hornets had moved to Oklahoma instaed of Stern tying to do the post-Katrina-PC-thing at the expense of the Sonics.

So, because of Stern’s misguided post-Katrina views he intentionally and decietfully destroyed basketball in Seattle to keep basketball in New Orleans, only to be forced to ruin the Hornets’ chances of staying in NO so that he can look like the lock-out was about competitive balance instead of a cash-grab coupled with a power-play.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Dec 9, 2011 3:05 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

Totally agree with the lose lose situation for Stern

If he doesn’t do anything everyone will be up in arms at how the Lakers hit the jackpot AGAIN. If he does something some fans and people will be up in arms questioning the league on how they can do such a thing.

I’ve got my popcorn ready for this FA period.

by Airwave on Dec 9, 2011 3:20 PM MST up reply actions

Same here.

He just can’t win.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Dec 9, 2011 4:27 PM MST up reply actions

Baloney....

The Hornets can still trade Paul for any package they want to…this was about LA playing LA games and getting both Paul and Howard. Stern did what needed doing yesterday. Restructure the deal without Howard going to the left coast and it’ll fly.

by JoeBlam on Dec 9, 2011 4:28 PM MST up reply actions

They might still trade him

But they aren’t going to get the same return. Especially now — it’s a buyer’s market thanks to Czar Cztern.

Still loving this

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Dec 9, 2011 5:49 PM MST up reply actions

You know,

I don’t think there’s a trade provision in the NBA that says “okay, this deal can go through — as long as you don’t do this separate trade with another team that’s entirely unconnected to this one.”

by Azreous on Dec 10, 2011 8:49 PM MST up reply actions

What I don't get is how media is talking like the Howard to LA trade was inevitable after the Paul trade

What were they going to trade away for him? Bynum + filler? That seems far more lopsided than the CP trade.

BAMF goes HAM.

by brian13 on Dec 9, 2011 6:29 PM MST reply actions

Exactly.

The Magic apparently want more than Brook Lopez + 2 first round picks + relief from Hedo Turkoglu’s contract from the Nets. And L.A.‘s package of Bynum + a pick + taking Hedo is supposed to be better than that? I don’t think so.

by Azreous on Dec 10, 2011 8:51 PM MST up reply actions

Meanwhile

as Gilbert whines and Buss moves on to the next trade and Stern stomps his foot….

The Rockets lose Chuck Hayes, Pau Gasol, Nene, and the goodwill of Scola, Martin and Dragic who now still play on their team.

I can’t quite remember the last time I was this angry.

by svspider on Dec 10, 2011 3:43 AM MST reply actions

Nice Rant

meant to say that in prior post. Rec’s for the wit and bite I am at a loss to conjure right now.

by svspider on Dec 10, 2011 3:45 AM MST reply actions

Sooooo... We're signing CP3 in 2012 or what?

by rzyn on Dec 10, 2011 4:44 AM MST reply actions

Anyone else think we're going to see Amare for Paul now?

Seems to make sense for both sides. Amare’s probably the best player NO can get back for Paul, and CP3, Carmelo, and Chandler makes more sense than Amare, Carmelo, and Chandler. Then maybe NO claims Billups off waivers and promises him the starting job. Seems like a win-win situation for everyone involved (except Amare)

Thankful everyday that Grants, New Mexico gets Fox Sports Arizona

by wedge1039 on Dec 11, 2011 9:04 AM MST reply actions

I don't think Hornets wanna put their money on Amar'e's knees...

by Lompe on Dec 11, 2011 10:04 AM MST up reply actions

So the deal is off again?!? And now Odom has been dealt to the Mavericks for a low first round pick? Man, I don’t get it. Is this the Lakers precursor to a Paul deal Stern will accept or making a better Howard offer, or are they just giving away things for free????

Is the NBA trying to prevent CP3 AND Howard from being on the Lakers, or are they just trying to make sure the Lakers get Howard INSTEAD of CP3? What is their rationale?

by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 11, 2011 10:27 AM MST reply actions

They just stepped before looking

and then discovered their foot was ankle deep in dog-shit. That’s all.

Voted most likely to say "I told you so"

by jc79 on Dec 11, 2011 10:05 PM MST up reply actions

So do these 2 rejections to the Lakers and Clippers show that there will be no CP3 trade?

NO got the best offer from any team in that Lakers deal, IMO (don’t get me started on Houston (they got hosed in that deal if you ask me)). So how is the league supposed to sell a deal that is far worse for the Hornets than the first trade proposal? Is he just going to be stuck in NO til free agency?

by Airwave on Dec 12, 2011 10:31 PM MST reply actions

I think the LAC deal was better.

Gordon (young star SG), Kaman (Good player, expiring contract I believe), Aminu (young player with tons of potential), a top 5 draft pick. I’d even toss Bledsoe in if that would have gotten the job done.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Dec 12, 2011 11:29 PM MST up reply actions

Which would be why the Clippers

were the ones who pulled the plug, not the NBA.

Voted most likely to say "I told you so"

by jc79 on Dec 13, 2011 1:23 PM MST up reply actions

I didn't read the whole rant.

But i’ll gladly rec. it after reading the first few sentences. I actually thought the Lakers were giving up way too much, the Rockets did ok, and the Hornets came out way ahead. You could even make an argument that the Hornets made out better then the Nuggets did in trading Melo. There’s no guarantee that Dwight would sign in 2012 in LA with Kobe and CP3 there.

This squashing of the trade had nothing to do with improving the Hornets and everything to do with Stern and his ego and the fictional southern billionaire that is going to buy the Hornets and keep them in New Orleans.

Why is Stern so loyal to New Orleans (even before the NBA bought them), but craps on hoops loving city like Seattle and doesn’t even punish Clay Bennett after it was proven that he planned to move the Sonics from day one of ownership?

by oLLiE Boombayay on Dec 13, 2011 1:38 AM MST reply actions