NBA 2011-2012

[Donuthole]

A. I don't think the Hornets were being taken advantage of

And I think they were.

B. Would be prudent if a non-banner franchise were to take advantage of the Hornet's situation? Now I understand that you are looking at it from the perspective of a Jazz fan. It makes perfect sense now.

Yes, I'm sure my Jazz-biased viewpoint on the trade is far more skewed than your view as a Laker fan.

[Flystripper]

And I think they were.

Yes, I'm sure my Jazz-biased viewpoint on the trade is far more skewed than your view as a Laker fan.

I am sure that both of our viewpoints are colored. What I am saying, and what most others are saying, is that that the commissioner is interferring with a trades in an unprecedented fashion.

Three teams' GMs agreed to a trade that satisfied the monetary terms of the CBA and the commish vetos the trade because he is looking out for the Hornet's best interest? Isn't that why the owners are paying the GM? They should fire the hornets GM and replace him with Stern because that is basically what is happening. The fact that the owners and the commish have the ability to veto the trade when they all have a huge conflict of interest is the problem that most of us have with this whole deal.

BTW I would have been just as upset with the way that this went down if it was the Jazz that were "taking advantage" of the hornets situation.

I am still wondering how what the Lakers proposed was "taking advantage" of the Hornets. The Hornet's GM (you know, the guy whose sole job is managing the team, and who has an incentive to look out for the Hornets best interest without the inherent conflict of interest) could have said no.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Billups claimed by the Clips?

What a weird, weird week.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Can players claimed via amnesty auction be traded at any point during this season?

Edit: Guess not. So Billups either retires or plays for the Clips. Wonder what this means for them matching on Jordan. Or if they'll do their own amnesty on Mo Williams.

[Donuthole]

I am sure that both of our viewpoints are colored. What I am saying, and what most others are saying, is that that the commissioner is interferring with a trades in an unprecedented fashion.

Three teams' GMs agreed to a trade that satisfied the monetary terms of the CBA and the commish vetos the trade because he is looking out for the Hornet's best interest? Isn't that why the owners are paying the GM? They should fire the hornets GM and replace him with Stern because that is basically what is happening. The fact that the owners and the commish have the ability to veto the trade when they all have a huge conflict of interest is the problem that most of us have with this whole deal.

BTW I would have been just as upset with the way that this went down if it was the Jazz that were "taking advantage" of the hornets situation.

I am still wondering how what the Lakers proposed was "taking advantage" of the Hornets. The Hornet's GM (you know, the guy whose sole job is managing the team, and who has an incentive to look out for the Hornets best interest without the inherent conflict of interest) could have said no.

It wasn't just the Lakers. The Rockets were coming up roses, too. How does a team give up the best player in a trade end up with the worst salary impact and the worst collective players in the trade? Demps is clearly incompetent and/or doesn't understand what he's supposed to be doing as the interim GM (how can he? He doesn't even know what authority he has). That's not necessarily his fault, but I don't blame Stern for stepping in an saying "Um, that's what you're going to get back for one of the top 10 players in the game? Really?"

Ultimately it is Stern's fault for putting Demps (or anyone) in that position. Still, I think Stern's decision, though not the popular one, was a lesser offense than letting Demps cripple a franchise owned by the other owners by tying up all its foreseeable cap space with a 9-seed caliber roster.

[TripletDaddy]

I think we are all in agreement that the Lakers are one of the banner franchises in the NBA.

[Donuthole]

I think we are all in agreement that the Lakers are one of the banner franchises in the NBA.

So stipulated.

[cougjunkie]

So the NBA says in order for the Clips to acquire Chris Paul they must give up:

Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Eric Bledsoe, Al Farouq Aminu and a 2012 first round pick.

Get the eff out David Stern. You are crazy. The Clips are surprisingly willing to part with everything but they want NO to choose between the pick and Eric Gordon. NO wants both.

[Flystripper]

So the NBA says in order for the Clips to acquire Chris Paul they must give up:

Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Eric Bledsoe, Al Farouq Aminu and a 2012 first round pick.

Get the eff out David Stern. You are crazy. The Clips are surprisingly willing to part with everything but they want NO to choose between the pick and Eric Gordon. NO wants both.

Won't these lop-sided deals (like the NBA's counter offer to the Clippers) fall apart when Paul says he will refuse to sign an extension?

[Blueintheface]

So the NBA says in order for the Clips to acquire Chris Paul they must give up:

Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Eric Bledsoe, Al Farouq Aminu and a 2012 first round pick.

Get the eff out David Stern. You are crazy. The Clips are surprisingly willing to part with everything but they want NO to choose between the pick and Eric Gordon. NO wants both.

This has become surreal.

[TripletDaddy]

I wonder if David Stern the Team President gets the same deference as David Stern, Commissioner? In other words, can other GMs tell Stern to f-off when he counters with these crazy demands or will they be fined?

[Blueintheface]

I wonder if David Stern the Team President gets the same deference as David Stern, Commissioner? In other words, can other GMs tell Stern to f-off when he counters with these crazy demands or will they be fined?

That's why none of this makes any sense. It's not necessarily the squeakiest owner getting the oil, it's who a very flawed individual views as the most in need of help. It's purely dictatorial and he is going to regret the ill-will it generates among owners and fans alike.

[Jacob]

That's why none of this makes any sense. It's not necessarily the squeakiest owner getting the oil, it's who a very flawed individual views as the most in need of help. It's purely dictatorial and he is going to regret the ill-will it generates among owners and fans alike.

I don't think anyone will care once they start playing games. Except for Laker fans, and maybe Houston fans.

[San Juan Sun]

I'm still waiting for the NBA's promised email about the cost for League Pass. But AT&T Uverse is saying it will cost me $199. For that price, I want a piece of Hornets ownership too.

[Surfah]

Anyone see the article on ESPN about Stu Jackson negotiating the Paul to Clippers deal? Supposedly he was the one that pushed the Clippers out. After negotiating hard to get Gordon instead of Bledsoe in the deal (originally the Clippers wouldn't trade Gordon), they then asked for Bledsoe too. Then he asked for a second first round pick. That's when the Clippers told the league to pound sand. Unreal. The league front office has taken over Demps. Why are they still employing him at this point?

Also, it seems like the Hornets management and coach wanted the Lakers deal:

Former Hornets forward David West, who reached agreement on a two-year, $20 million deal Sunday with the Indiana Pacers, expressed great sympathy for the plight of Demps and Hornets coach Monty Williams, who clearly favored the original three-team deal as a means to stay competitive without Paul and West.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/s...-clippers-push