No one wins in latest NBA mess; and new Raptors titles

And so ends one of the sorriest sagas in recent NBA history with the Chris Paul to the Clippers trade that was – finally, thankfully, mercifully – consummated last night.

We can sit here and debate the relative merits of the deal six ways to Sunday – personally, I think both the teams are life and death to make the playoffs, the Clippers are a two-man team, the Hornets something less – but there is one undeniable truth:

No one won. Really. And the league lost big time.

The league looked foolish from the start and David Stern’s public profile took another hammering, he’s now seen not only as not being able to control loudmouth owners like Dan Gilbert but as a meddlesome commissioner putting too much of his own imprint on the game.

The league also looks foolish for having decided to own the Hornets in the first place and this has to serve as a cautionary tale when the same situation arises again. And it will.

The Hornets? They lose because it is the latest franchise to have its best player force his way out of town. That’s always going to happen – it is a collectively bargained right of employees and as distasteful as it is, it’s not going away – but it still stings.

The Clippers gutted their team for perhaps two years of an oft-injured point guard and while Paul to Blake Griffin is sexy, it’s only one of the top twosomes in the league and as long as Kobe’s playing with Pau Gasol, it might not be the top twosome in Los Angeles. Oh, and Vinny Del Negro still coaches there, right?

Fans? Well, they’ll get some pretty cool highlights and will come flocking to see the Clippers even more than they did last season and I guess that’s good.

The saddest part?

It’s going to be seeing how the despicable Donald Sterling screws this up because you know he will. And there are those among us who hope nothing good ever happens over an extended period of time to that guy.

Guess now at least we can put this mess behind us and get on with actually anticipating a season and not wondering what soap opera will engulf the league for days.

Oh, until Dwight Howard wants to get traded again, I guess.

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So the story goes LeBron James finishes his post-practice scrum yesterday and says “God bless” to the assembled reporters before turning to someone and stage-whispering “Just went Tebow on them.”

Makes a guy think that if he really wanted to just go Tebow he’d show up in the fourth quarter of big games.

But maybe that’s just me.

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Hey, here’s one that kind of slipped by for too long, sorry about that.

People who wonder what Jay Triano and Maurizio Gherardini and Marc Eversely are doing now, pay attention!

They got promotions.

According to the Raptors pre-season guide, Jay’s the vice-president, pro-scouting; Maurizio’s the vice-president, international scouting; Evs is the vice-president, college scouting.

Of course, they remain Henchmen to me.

What’s it mean, though? Not a lot. The front office shakes out just the way I figured it would. Three guys with distinct areas of responsibility reporting to Ed Stefanski and Bryan.

Oh, one other?

Alvin Williams is basically gone from the scene. He’s now a scout – based in Philadelphia, I’m told – and he’ll see kids and teams and do his advising from there.

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Digression?

(You knew I would)

About the only thing that would have made the whole Trudeau dropping the excrement expletive in the House of Commons worse was if he’d done it wearing jeans.

(Irregulars will know).

Seriously, the utter lack of decorum from our elected representatives is, at times, appalling.

I know we live in a more relaxed society today – I’ll debate the relative merits with that one anytime with anyone – but is it really too much to ask, ahem, cough, cough, leaders to act with dignity? I don’t mean white tie and tails and the King’s English at every turn but they need – and have needed for years – to simply grow up and be better.

We deserve it. The country deserves it. We do not need heckling, childlike behaviour from the men and women who are supposed to be leading the country.

We need honest debate, a level of class too many of them seem to a lack, a sense of civility.

It’s the House of Commons, for goodness sake, not a sandbox.

No wonder so many people hate politicians, they act like six-year-olds too often.

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It would appear, reading between the lines and listening live and in person that as the HOTH pre-season approaches there is one, maybe two, openings in the starting lineup.

I know Dwane made of saying he hadn’t decided on a starting point guard but the key quote is this one:

“With him (Jerryd Bayless), he does give us juice off the bench as far as coming in, changing the game, pushing the basketball and if I was leaning one way, it’d be that way right now but, again, I haven’t made my mind up 100 per cent.”

Okay, maybe 99 per cent.

Anyway, the interesting one to me is what he’ll do at small forward because you know DeRozan starts, I guarantee you Bargnani starts and I presume he goes with Amir Johnson but that might become a bit of a battle if Amir’s ankle’s not 100 per cent or one of the other, tough bigs has a great camp.

Is it James Johnson? Rasual Butler? Gary Forbes as a longshot?

Butler’s a better three-point shooter on a team that is among the worst in the league at that particular skill.

Johnson’s probably a better defender who is more familiar with the other guys on the roster.

Forbes? A longshot, as I mentioned.

I’d probably lean towards Johnson if they really want to have defence as the key and use Butler as some kind of shooting specialist off the bench. But that’s just me and Dwane’s been telling us all week he’s not sure what he’s going to do with his rotation or the guys at his disposal, making the two Boston games at least a bit more interesting.

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Parents, you’ll know what I’m talking about here.

About this time of year, we all have to drag our sorry butts to school Christmas concerts – or holiday celebrations in these times of ours – and, you know I’m right here, sometimes it’s like a couple of hours of anesthetic-free dental surgery.

Then your kid gets in some regional arts program and all of a sudden the night’s actually quite good and watching talented kids doing stuff they like to do instead of stuff they are forced to do is fun.

Way to go, Cawthra.

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Speaking of, today’s offering:

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Mail?

Give it a shot here if you like.

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Comments

[Matt M]

You appear to have forgot to name the PG that Casey quote was referencing. I assume it was about Jerryd Bayless coming off the bench.

[doug]

if I were the Lakers I would be more then a little ticked at Stern, and what is it with this fascination of his to appease owners like Gilbert, and Sterling, maybe Stern can relate to them as that's who he is....I don't see how that trade helps the Clippers at all, they are getting a over-rated guard with chronic knee problems, can anyone say Penny Hardaway, I don't wish it to happen but to me that would be my concern about Paul...as sometimes athletes because of different reasons reach their peak early, last year Paul's numbers were off, was it a aberration?? we'll see...Clippers gave up to much in my opinion...

[Dan]

The Clippers are much more than a two man team. DeAndre Jordan, Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler, Mo Williams, and Eric Bledsoe are all solid NBA players.

As for LeBron, you seem to have forgotten his transcendent 4th quarter performances against Boston and Chicago in last year's playoffs, as well as other big 4th quarter performances in past seasons against Boston, Orlando, Detroit, and Washington in the playoffs. Do we really need to jump on him for every little joke or insignificant comment he makes?

Blogger's note: Of course we do, it's what we do

[Derek]

Doug,

How about focusing on what Trudeau was upset about? You know, Canada pulling out of Kyoto and Peter Kent acting like a jackass? Decorum is all nice and well, but a sound national environmental policy might be better.

Blogger's note: And if he hadn't been a guttermouth and denigrated the debate, his point might have resonated more.

[Shawn]

Doug, I'm a huge fan and read you everyday. I gotta' say you seemed pissed today! Although I must say, I agree 100% with your comments!

I agree with th eposter that said The Clips gave up too much for Paul. But I have a larger problem with players being able to dictate these occurrences. Even star employees have to listen to their bosses...you do...don't ya' Doug!

Anyway, have a great Christmas and keep bloggin!

[doug]

also another thing before i head out and fight morning traffic in the rain (can you say the word fun boys and girls), I am not a fan of conspiracy theories, but I am a fan of facts...and these are 2 facts that are indisputable...Gilbert stepped in and complained to Stern about the trade, he even wrote and published a email so we all knew, another fact in the last draft lottery, great P.R. and his lucky son, with the heartwrenching story, brought the Cavs against all odds the top 2 picks out of 4 players drafted, coincidence..just saying, and then their is the whole hometown boy LeBron getting drafted by his hometown team that won the lottery that year as well, Stern and Gilbert seem to be linked a lot, that's not coincidence that's fact...Stern has shown his true colours lately and through his actions it is him and only him that has opened up this league credibility issue, and another coincidence, the top pick the Cavs had was surprise/surprise the Clippers originally...no 6 degrees of separation there, the acts are all directly linked....just saying...

[Wallace]

Coach Casey had better be a defensive genius with Calderon, DeRozan, and Bargnani as 3 of his 5 starters. That's a whole lot of defensive liability to compensate for with his new system.

[Lorie]

Good Morning, Doug:
You know, when I first read that Justin Trudeau had uttered an expletive in The House, I thought he was merely trying to ride his famous father's coat tails to establish his reputation. That seemed crass. Then I read some of the exchange that preceeded the "s-word" being used and considering the throttle-hold the (majority!) Harper Government has used to shutdown the (minority!!!) Opposition, well...I'll cut Young Mr. Trudeau a wee bit of slack, but I agree, there's a time and a place and a level of decorum that should be maintained. But do you know what Parliament is missing the most - and what has been an unbroken tradition in many countries for hundreds of years? The appointment of a Poet Laureate for the Canadian House of Commons. We've apparently only had one for ten years, and we're already a year behind in the reappointment of the position. Or maybe the Committee charged with this appointment, can't find any takers???
Now, here's a little (can you say that about her?) Dolly to take the edge off. And what says Christmas Song like a whorehouse in Texas? :) Cheers!
http://youtu.be/PCguQ1_wqVM

[john]

Considering his father gave the finger to much of Western Canada, Jr.'s boorish behaviour doesnt surprise me much. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

[sam]

It looks like the Hornets did alright trading Paul. Perhaps Stern was trying to maximize the deal with solid players and a minimum investment -

There will be no Point Guard controversy on the Raps this year? Right

[Dan]

Hey Doug,

Love the blog and love your articles and appearances on radio, but how can you possibly believe the Clippers are life and death to make the playoffs? They are not a two-man team. They have Chauncey, DeAndre Jordan, Eric Bledsoe, Caron Butler in addition to the most dynamic big man-point guard combination since Shaw and Penny. How can you not think this is a 55-60 win team?

Blogger's note: Mostly because they're playing a 66-game season. (I keed, I see your point, let's see how the season unfolds)

[marc in panama]

Hola Doug,

"...he'd show up in the fourth quarter..."

Funniest. Line. Ever.

Ciao amigo,

marc in panama

[LeeZ]

The LeBron/Tebow line? All I can say is, Doug, put yourself down for a richly deserved DING DING DING!!!

[sportsbabel]

one-liner of the year by D.Smith....!

[LeeZ]

Been in the process of moving to a new house, so didn't hear about the Trudeau thing until just now. Read up about it, found out what prompted the remark (Kent telling the NDP'er that she's ill informed because she didn't attend the conference, perhaps one of the most galling things ever said in that House, what with the Harperites having banned the Opposition from attending, so given the context, I am totally willing to cut JT some slack on this one, especially since he immediately and sincerely apologized. Not that I think it was premeditated or strategic in any way, but the remark HAS focused public attention on the issue, which is a good thing, in my opinion. Oh and btw, Kent IS full of (expletive).

[Zach]

"Life and death to make the playoffs". Pretty sure that's how Doug described the 2008 Boston Celtics.

[David in Oakville]

"Makes a guy think that if he really wanted to just go Tebow he’d show up in the fourth quarter of big games."

ZING!

Wow, I didn't see that one coming and I didn't know you had such a high level of snark in you.

Well played... and sadly true.

Lastly, I have to agree with some others, I think the Clips will prove to be more than a 2 man team and being mostly young, the 66 game compressed season might play out well for them. I would be happy with a front court of Jordan, Blake and Butler. The only concerns.. does Paul re-sign with the Clips and do his knees hold up.

Overall though, I think you have to make that trade if you are the Clips or the Hornets.

Re: Stirling... sometimes good things do happen to bad people. Perhaps we can hope for a Christmas Carol for Mr. Stirling and he turns over a new leaf of generousness of spirit in 2012?

Ohh... one more thing.. ever heard Otis Redding do "Merry Christmas Baby"... magical!

[John Bastedo]

#Shucky-Smith, #Greatest-line-ever, #4Lebron-disappears-in-the-clutch!!!!

[Lorie]

Oh, and Doug, well-played. LeBron. TeBow. Showing up and CONTRIBUTING in the 4th quarter. Now, having said that, you've probably jinxed TeBow and he'll pull a LeBron against Brady and The Boys on Sunday. :)

[511]

Political digressions on this Raptors blog (as I still think of it), I can usually do without. Being reminded to vote or wear poppies (and the like) offends me no-end (which I could expand on considerably, but this is not the time or place), however, it’s your blog, so I do my best to just skip patronizing nonsense as I search for Raptors-related nuggets. That said, I AM glad you took the time to mention the shockingly disrespectful behavior that young Mr. Trudeau displayed yesterday in the House of Commons. Hearing him quite clearly yell out “what a piece of sh*t!” on last night’s news was ... chilling it its way, to know that an elected official could be so very uncouth and classless and then to be so unaware as to appear to almost smirk about it later on. I’m sure his father, Pierre Elliot Trudeau himself would even have been shamed. While he (PET) occasionally misbehaved, he usually did so with some sense of style. This young one, not so much.

[JHP]

I like the comment about LeBron and as my father always said people use profanity because of a lack of vocabulary. So I hope the coming year goes well and the Raptors prod thru another season with just enough angst to provide material for all the scribes involved. Any updates on our favorite chicken and has the BBQ been retired for the winter ?

Blogger's note: Saw The Chicken at media day, he/she/it is doing well; BBQ was fired up a week or so ago for some rainy steak, it'll get use all winter I hope

[AT]

the saga in NO could have been avoided by the league keeping an arm's length and having an independent person or board that acts as the "owner" of the franchise. The GM would work as he would any in any other organization that would require approval from this individual or small group.When it comes to trades, the 29 other owners of teams are not owners of the 30th team, they are competitors and should be treated as such.Once again, a bunch of rich guys acting like kids. So glad its over....

[Andrew]

Doug, a few blogs back you mentioned the Argos looked like a joke for the way the hiring of Jones as their new defensive co-ordinator. Well, the Paul thing is infinitely more bush league. Stern loses credibility on all sides, the Hornets lost out on what I thought was a better deal with the one involving the Lakers and the Rockets, GM's across the league must have felt a chill thinking their deals might be nixed for fuzzy, undefined reasons, and the lockout appears on the surface to be for naught. Horrible, horrible, horrible. I'm hoping for an entertaining season, because roundball has been taken on some significant water over the last months and a dull season/another PR disaster could really do damage.

[Kevin]

This is a reasonable trade for both teams. I think I am in the minority on this blog, but Stern did the right things by nuking the Lakers trade. I see no plots or underhanded behaviour. Just a trade that did not meet the needs of the owner or owner to be of the Hornets. There is no way Stern should have let the trade go through because he feared a backlash. Leadership should be about doing the right thing even when it is unpopular. Similar to democracy, doing the right thing isn't pretty but it is better than the alternative.

[Blake Kennedy]

Doug:
.
I don't know what league you're watching, but with that Chris Paul trade the only one who looks foolish is Dell Demps. New Orleans got a FANTASTIC rebuilding package for a guy who wasn't going to stay anyway, a young core that they can build with and salary cap flexibility. Demps was willing to take on big contracts just to make Emeka Okafor completely redundant and not turn that into a winning team, and Stern very wisely said "no way". All New Orleans had to do was publicly demand better and sit back and wait, because at some point somebody was going to pay the going price. Sure enough, the Clippers were, as usual, reckless and foolhardy and overpaid for Chris Paul - David Stern played them like a fiddle. Now they have Chris Paul for this year - and no outside shooting to protect Griffin, Paul and DeAndre Jordan. But he did so as the executive of the NOH, NOT the Commish of the NBA. Stern showed he could play with the big boys in the player acquisition market and be one of the best. I'd kill to have him as our GM.
.
The Clippers could have just sat back and waited for the price tag to fall or wait until the offseason and just sign him outright and not lose anybody. But no - wouldn't want to do that...and David Stern knew somebody would be that foolish. No, today Dell Demps looks like a total chump and David Stern looks like a hero. Anybody who thinks otherwise isn't paying any attention whatsoever at what the Hornets just landed: a potential All-Star shooting guard in Eric Gordon, a potential starting wing player in Aminu and Minnesota's unprotected first pick (which will be top-5) and their own. With any reasonably competent drafting, they'll be a good team for a very long time. They should just fire Dell Demps and let Stern take care of the rest, that'll be a long-term playoff team in short order.