Finally the NBA starts to see the big picture for the good of league

[FlockOfSeagulls]

The NBA league offices stepped in and vetoed Paul to Lakers deal . Reports vary on the reasons of the veto but in all reality it seems that several owners called league offices complaining of large market teams taking advantage of the small market Hornets. The Hornets are league owned right now so the Paul trade would give league offices a black eye especially after the lockout was about money and trying to give small market teams a fighting chance to compete and balance their books. Last year 20 of 30 NBA franchises lost money and only 10 or so teams at most have the chance to sign or keep superstar caliber players.

Hopefully this is a sign that the league won't let the big market teams bully the smaller franchises who as of now can't keep their stars muchless sign them as free agents . If not then the league should keep the big market teams in Boston, New York , Philly , Houston , San Antonio , Dallas , Miami and Atlanta and they can all have SUPERTEAMS. Yea , thats just a wee bit of SARCASM

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

Looks like the red-headed stepchild in LA got Paul and in the process also received some much needed national relevance

 

[primetime]

The red-headed stepchild needs to thank David Stern for this gift. David Stern might as well say "I am trying to hurt the Lakers!" after that bullshit he pulled. All that talk about "basketball reasons" is a pile of shit. The Hornets would have been playoff contenders THIS year with the original trade. The Rockets wanted Pau Gasol. The Lakers would have ripped up their frontcourt, but would have gotten a PG for the future. Nope. David Stern said "Fuck you" to the Lakers, the same Lakers organization who helps make the NBA relevant in the general public.

By the way, where was Dan Gilbert's letter to Stern admonishing the Clippers trade? Paul STILL went to LA, a large market. Mark Cuban has been mum, so has Michael Jordan. All this talk about "protecting small markets" is a bunch of bull. Los Angeles is still Los Angeles, whether it be the Lakers or Clippers. Yet, no gripes about the Clipper deal. Basically, this was a snow job against the Lakers.

What people will realize is without the "glamour teams" in the NBA, NO ONE gives a flying fuck about the small market teams. If Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Chicago and Miami are not in the NBA Finals, no one is watching the Finals. Free agency still allows players to head to the glitz and glamour of the big market. If it was the Utah Jazz versus the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals, who watches? No one. The Lakers saved the NBA from extinction back in the 80s and this is how we're repaid? How are we supposed to improve if we get jacked like that? That trade was within the rules of the new CBA, would have saved the Lakers some money, and get Kobe's successor in LA, but we can't have it?

At then end of the day, the Lakers will be back. Maybe not this year, or maybe even next, but rest assured, the Lakers will be back on top. Why? Because we are the Lakers. And no, the Clippers, are STILL the Clippers....

 

[10 armed tkler]

....Amen, Primetime.

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

I saw an interview with Stern recently where he said he was acting like the owner of the Hornets not the commish. Let me be honest here, I do not care for Stern because he seems to always have the interest of the big-market teams over the small.

Truth is this is a much better deal longterm for the Hornets. Eric Gordon is about to be 23 and is a future all-star . Al-Farouq Aminu is 21 and the 10th pick out of the 2010 draft . Chris Kaman is a very good top ten center in the league who is only 29 . Also , the Hornets get Minnesota's unprotected no.1 next year in what everyone calls the deepest draft in over decade. Chances are its a lottery pick and very easily could be a top 5 pick overall.

I am a big fan of Kevin Martin and yes he would have been a nice pickup but he turns 29 in Feb. The Hornets are in full rebuilding mode after losing Paul & David West so the talented Gordon at 23 is a better option . Scola is a nice role player but he turns 32 in April . Odom is supremely talented [ Thanks for giving him to the Mavs by the way!! ] yet he is also 32.

Hornets didn't need to pick up players that turn them into a .500 ballclub struggling to make the playoffs only to get booted by this years top seed . They have opportunity now to build around young guys in Gordon , Aminu and that high draft pick for chance at real sustained success