Post#24 » by lovehoops01 » Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:08 am
I think you're looking at the wrong components in the deal.
Look at who at the top -- the team executives -- who were making the deals involved here.
1). In the Celtics' dealings, they dealt mainly with a former Celtics star -- Timberwolves GM Kevin McHale -- who played on the same team as the Celtics' current GM. Loyalty to the Celtics kicked in for McHale -- plus he did get an outstanding young big in that deal. Want to trade Dwight to make a blockbuster? Of course, not but that would help you get a blockbuster done. (I know, I know, Al Jefferson isn't as good as Dwight, but he also wasn't the Celtics' best player.)
2). In the Grizzlies-Lakers trade, the former GM of the Lakers is a close friend, adviser and also a former GM of the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies didn't talk to anyone else in this deal. Jerry West ensured that deal got done, plain and simple -- no matter how much the Lakers, Grizzlies, Jerry West, and everyone in the NBA front office wants you to believe it. And besides, the Lakers aren't near the end of their run...Kobe will be 30 soon. But he also has won three championships in the past so he knows what it takes to get his teammates there. Plus, their coach has 9 championship rings. They are much closer than the Magic.
3). Kidd said he wanted to go to the Mavs, Cavs or Lakers. He can veto any trade. L.A. gave up their available point guard in the Grizzlies deal. Nets don't want to trade in conference to the Cavs (or the Magic, for that matter, if they had the players to make the deal). And still, the unforgettable Devean George could veto this trade (unbelievable -- how much will he be hated if he stays there and how likely is he to ever get another contract after this season)? Not to mention the fact that the Nets' Rod Thorn is a former NBA executive (league, not team), not just any old GM, so he has some connections to get stuff done.
All of those circumstances are special ones.
Besides, these deals don't always work out. I really don't think the Magic-Grizzlies deal involving Gooden and Giricek worked out all that great, and that was the best midseason deal they ever made. The season after that deal, the Magic went 21-61, Gooden and Giricek were gone in less than two years, and the trade made T-Mac want to leave.
Plus, for all the splash these deals with the Western teams are causing, only one of those teams is going to make the Finals. And there is the possibility that they could lose in the Finals. So, considering the gamble that Phoenix and Dallas is taking, it could backfire on them. The Lakers deal was an absolute gift so they cannot lose.
