Apologies to Pax for further NBAizing his blog, but I can’t stand by silently after reading this.
ESPN is reporting that talks between the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets are heating up and could culminate (ESPN uses the phrase “on the brink”) in a trade sending Nets PGs Jason Kidd and Darrell Armstrong to Dallas for PG Devin Harris, SG Jerry Stackhouse, SF Devean George, C DeSagana Diop, and, worst of all, SG Maurice Ager.
[UPDATE: ESPN is now calling this an "agreement in principle", though swap out Darrell Armstrong for F Malik Allen. (expletive) Mark Cuban.]
Mark Cuban: Do not make this move, for two reasons.
1) This isn’t good for your team, other than maybe that it educates them to the meaning of the word “reactionary”. You can’t depend just on Erick Dampier to hang with the West’s big men; he will be obliterated. Diop is better anyway, and though some foolish team will probably overpay him in the offseason, you need him this year to help defend Duncan, Shaq, Yao, Camby, Gasol, Bynum, and, if you make it far enough, Garnett or Sheed. Further, and this is important, Devin Harris is just as good as Jason Kidd right now, and getting better. Jason Kidd is getting worse. Oh, and he makes more money, by about eight-fold. Oh, and he wants an extension (and it won’t come cheap).
If you’ve ever wondered what a Google image search of the word “reactionary” returns, here’s your answer. (Left to right: Mark Cuban, Rod Thorn, Father Scott)
2) Don’t do this, Mark, for me. See, the Mavs are my NBA 2K8 team, and Mo Ager is, to put it eloquently, the shit. I will not play with the Mavs with Jason Kidd — he’s an asshole and can’t shoot, and I need at least adequate shooting point guards, which is what makes the Terry/Harris combo perfect. Both are decent shooters who can get hot — I just ride whoever’s hot and dominate. You are ruining my video game life, and I will hate you for it.
Virtual Mo does this pretty much every play
[UPDATE: John Hollinger agrees with me, but provides, like, evidence.]
12 Comments
February 13, 2008 at 2:10 pm
“Devin Harris is just as good as Jason Kidd right now, and getting better. Jason Kidd is getting worse. Oh, and he makes more money, by about eight-fold. Oh, and he wants an extension (and it won’t come cheap).”
Here’s my question: Is it possible that players like Kidd and Shaq suck on purpose in these situations (i.e. when they’re looking for a trade)? I have vague recollections of Vince Carter getting himself traded to New Jersey by purposely tanking a whole season in Toronto. Then again, I have only vague recollections of the last 10 years, so there you have it.
Also, I’ve been listening to YHF today. Sometimes I forget how awesome it is.
February 13, 2008 at 2:24 pm
What’s YHF?
February 13, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Yes, it happens, and maybe Kidd is doing just that. The statheads (namely Hollinger at ESPN) note that he really isn’t that effective this year. His shooting has always been dreadful (it’s pretty much a night off on defense for the other team’s PG), though. Also, I have my doubts, I think he’s just getting older. Shaq too, though the hope is that Phoenix’s medical staff (which borders on magical if you listen to recent media reports) can fix him up.
Perry, I’m disappointed in you. Only the best album ever.
Although, Pax, I have to admit, I haven’t listened to much Wilco in quite a while. Probably the longest drought of my life.
February 13, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Also, you’re right about the Vince thing, that was heinous. He pretty much admitted to it, and Toronto made what is most likely the worst trade of all time to get rid of him. They got absolutely nothing in return — the best thing they got was an aging Alonzo Mourning, who refused to suit up for them (Everyone loves Zo, but how is that any better than tanking it to get traded?), so they had to buy him out of his contract.
And, also, Vince Carter is probably the most overrated player in basketball. He will never win anything.
February 13, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I can’t keep up with you kids today.
February 13, 2008 at 2:51 pm
YHF? YLT? WTF?
February 13, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, it’s an album Wilco made 5 or 6 years ago… It’s really good.
February 13, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Jeez, Pax, even I figured that one out after Padre said Wilco. I knew that question was going to make me look stupid(er).
And yes, it is pretty good.
February 13, 2008 at 4:29 pm
PYT
February 13, 2008 at 4:40 pm
OK< so that’s either Preliminary Yield Trial, Pretty Young Thing or Prove Yourself True. Thank goodness for the Google.
February 13, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Definitely Preliminary Yield Trial.
February 15, 2008 at 12:02 pm
[...] Cuban, I warned you about the trade being a bad idea. Now you’re getting a few more warnings, first from Devean [...]