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I don't know if anyone read this quote from Stern this past weekend in Mike Wells article.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100530/SPORTS04/5300393/1088/SPORTS04/Party-crashers-Not-in-the-NBA-playoffs

NBA commissioner David Stern knows the league's rules are set up to keep elite teams together, longer.
Stern doesn't feel sorry about it, either.
"Our teams have the opportunity, if they've managed the cap in a certain way, to improve themselves by free agent signings and the draft, but it's not easy and it tests the management skills of all of the teams."

I wonder if he is talking about the Knicks and Lakers. How is it that the most mismanaged team in all of sports (knicks) has a chance to acquire the most coveted f/a probably ever? Stern even created the 'Alan Houston rule to help them out awhile back. The Knicks were able to acquire T-Mac's expiring deal because Sacramento enticed Houston with KevMartin.

The Lakers on the other hand were slipping after Shaq's departure. Even though they didn't have to give up anything for Shaq, they traded him for a king's ransom. The Lakers do not build through the draft, they simply molest all-stars and hall of famers from other teams at pennies on the dollar. They didn't even draft Kobe.

Stern needs to speak on the subject of why his league is losing relevance and dignity on a daily basis under his watch. The NBA has gone downhill because when results are predetermined there is no competition.

Sadly it's all about money these days. The bigger market teams bring in the most cash for the league, so Stern sets them up for success. It's not right and needs to be stopped, but greed won't let that happen.

I'm not sure why you think results are pre-determined. The Lakers (who I hate with a passion) made very risky moves to get where they are.

Kobe was taken with the 13th pick in the draft. That means 12 other teams did not see him as a guy they wanted. The Lakers took a chance on him and they got lucky. Remember, Jerry West was one of the best GMs in the draft.

The Lakers traded Shaq for Odom, Caron Butler, and Kwame Brown. They then moved Butler and Brown for other pieces.

They drafted Andrew Bynum with the 10th pick in the draft.

They also traded Crittendon and Marc Gasol, 2008 1st round pick and 2010 1st round pick for Pau Gasol.

These are all risky moves. Though the Shaq trade was basically forced with all that mess. Nothing was pre-determined, they just made good business moves and were rewarded for them.

Kobe was drafted by the Hornets.

Miller4ever wrote:Kobe was drafted by the Hornets.

Yes, but West pulled the trigger on the trade. West took a gamble by trading Vlade Divac to the Hornets for Kobe. Divac was one of the best bigs in the game at the time. West, then turned around and signed Shaq that same Summer.

I don't think trading an aging Vlade Divac was that much of a gamble for a player that would have been chosen top-three if he didn't go all Stevie Franchise on us. Actually Kobe demanded one team and one team only, Steve just wanted to avoid Vancouver. Regardless, Kobe demanded LA and he got it, and if you recall, that is why teams avoided him.

Gasol is a franchise cornerstone, again where is the risk, because I don't see it.

Let's not mention Ron-Ron signing that ridiculously undervalued contract.

Stern pre-determines a lot more than most of us would want to believe, there is no conspiracy, because it is all business, ie. Boston- LA

ardthomp wrote:The Lakers traded Shaq for Odom, Caron Butler, and Kwame Brown. They then moved Butler and Brown for other pieces.

Actually, they traded Shaq for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a first-round draft pick.

Then, they traded Caron to the Wizards for Kwame Brown.

Boneman2 wrote:I don't think trading an aging Vlade Divac was that much of a gamble for a player that would have been chosen top-three if he didn't go all Stevie Franchise on us. Actually Kobe demanded one team and one team only, Steve just wanted to avoid Vancouver. Regardless, Kobe demanded LA and he got it, and if you recall, that is why teams avoided him.

Gasol is a franchise cornerstone, again where is the risk, because I don't see it.

Let's not mention Ron-Ron signing that ridiculously undervalued contract.

Stern pre-determines a lot more than most of us would want to believe, there is no conspiracy, because it is all business, ie. Boston- LA

He's right, and that's exactly why he dropped to #13. No one wanted a piece of him for fear he wouldn't even play for them.

Kuq_e_Zi91 wrote:

ardthomp wrote:The Lakers traded Shaq for Odom, Caron Butler, and Kwame Brown. They then moved Butler and Brown for other pieces.

Actually, they traded Shaq for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a first-round draft pick.

Then, they traded Caron to the Wizards for Kwame Brown.

Yes, you right...my bad on that

Boneman2 wrote:I don't think trading an aging Vlade Divac was that much of a gamble for a player that would have been chosen top-three if he didn't go all Stevie Franchise on us. Actually Kobe demanded one team and one team only, Steve just wanted to avoid Vancouver. Regardless, Kobe demanded LA and he got it, and if you recall, that is why teams avoided him.

Gasol is a franchise cornerstone, again where is the risk, because I don't see it.

Let's not mention Ron-Ron signing that ridiculously undervalued contract.

Stern pre-determines a lot more than most of us would want to believe, there is no conspiracy, because it is all business, ie. Boston- LA

You don't see the risk in trading away two 1st round picks?

Artest wanted to win, that has nothing to do with Stern. Unless he is secretly paying Artest money on the backend that we don't know about, which I doubt.

^^^ You'll eventually understand that teams like the Knicks & Lakers do not build through the draft. Furthermore, after they land a stud or two via free agency, their soon-to-be non-lottery picks are irrelevant. Do you remember how far down Zeke ran that franchise into the ground? The fact that the Knicks can actually sign 2 max-contracts this offseason leads me to believe that something is broken.

Stern mentioned that teams who have managed their cap-space efficiently, have the opportunity to improve through free agency. The Knicks do not apply to this statement, although they are clearly going to be the main beneficiaries in the market this offseason. Stern absolutely knows this, therefore he is a hypocrite.

Boneman2 wrote:^^^ You'll eventually understand that teams like the Knicks & Lakers do not build through the draft. Furthermore, after they land a stud or two via free agency, their soon-to-be non-lottery picks are irrelevant. Do you remember how far down Zeke ran that franchise into the ground? The fact that the Knicks can actually sign 2 max-contracts this offseason leads me to believe that something is broken.

Stern mentioned that teams who have managed their cap-space efficiently, have the opportunity to improve through free agency. The Knicks do not apply to this statement, although they are clearly going to be the main beneficiaries in the market this offseason. Stern absolutely knows this, therefore he is a hypocrite.

Lakers Non lottery (irrelevant picks): AC Green, Vlade, Elden Campbell, Nick Van Exel, Jordan Farmar, Derek Fisher, Vujacic, Devean George, Luke Walton, Anthony Peeler. Not superstars, but not irrelevant either.

How is something broken? The Knicks saw what was going to happen this year and set themselves in place to be beneficiaries. They tried rebuilding in the draft, but have busted. That isn't a Zeke thing, that is a New York thing. Look at their draft picks since 1985 and who stands out? Patrick Ewing and Mark Jackson...that is about it. They were blessed with David Lee recently and Wilson Chandler on a smaller scale.

I agree that some of those players are not irrelevant, but they are definitely worth risking in order to get into a position to acquire a legit HOF candidate entering his prime. ( Wade/James/??) Hell they are worth risking just to sign a fringe all-star talent, not too mention a solid big like Bosh.

All of these super-stars have been talking about teaming-up, right. Ironically, New York is about the only place it could happen.

Although I do agree w/you that this mismanagement is a NY thing. I feel Zeke just sunk it to a new low. The transactions he made still have a lingering effect ya know.

Boneman2 wrote:I agree that some of those players are not irrelevant, but they are definitely worth risking in order to get into a position to acquire a legit HOF candidate entering his prime. ( Wade/James/??) Hell they are worth risking just to sign a fringe all-star talent, not too mention a solid big like Bosh.

All of these super-stars have been talking about teaming-up, right. Ironically, New York is about the only place it could happen.

Although I do agree w/you that this mismanagement is a NY thing. I feel Zeke just sunk it to a new low. The transactions he made still have a lingering effect ya know.

I agree, Zeke didn't help the situation at all. Miami, Chicago, and New Jersey could also benefit from the free agency this Summer, but I think NJ is doomed now that they didn't get the first pick. However, I think playing with Devin Harris would be attractive to a couple guys who aren't playing with better PGs at the moment.

Keep in mind the Knicks haven't signed any of the top tier free agents yet and there's a very real possibility they won't either.

No getting around LA being a more desireable destination for the average young, rich guy. LA has played that card very effectively through the years. That's why its so easy for them to retool. New York should have the same advantage and with better management over time they will be back.

Unless the NBA adopts a hard cap Indiana will need some luck and more operational intellegence to be a top tier team. For several years we haven't had much of either.

8305 wrote:Keep in mind the Knicks haven't signed any of the top tier free agents yet and there's a very real possibility they won't either.

No getting around LA being a more desireable destination for the average young, rich guy. LA has played that card very effectively through the years. That's why its so easy for them to retool. New York should have the same advantage and with better management over time they will be back.

Unless the NBA adopts a hard cap Indiana will need some luck and more operational intellegence to be a top tier team. For several years we haven't had much of either.

I really see New York and New Jersey losing out in free agency this year and they will be exactly where they were...in the crapper.