My Mood Since the Anthony Davis Trade Request

[KGs Knee]

So players shouldn't be allowed to choose to play wherever they want? Should they simply just, "shut up and do as they're told"?

Look, the players should be allowed to self-determine to a large extent.

But, they also get paid a ton of money to do one thing first and foremost -- entertain.


The NBA is an entertainment league.


We can disagree on what is the most entertaining version of the NBA.


To me, what is most entertaining is when there is a good spread of talent around the NBA and there are not multiple elite players on just a couple of teams.


We can also argue philosophy and player freedom, etc etc.  But personally I'd like the league structured in a way that is most likely to achieve an entertaining product.

For me, that would be an NBA with a sizable upper tier of talented teams that all have a reasonable argument for becoming the best in any given season.


When one or two teams have multiple MVP talents not to mention supporting All-Star talents, then it makes me feel as if the rest of the league is kind of just playing exhibition matches. 


Another big aspect of what makes the NBA entertaining to me is thinking about, talking about, listening to analysis of how teams choose to acquire, develop, grow, and coordinate the talent on their roster.

When players and agents get together behind the scenes so they can all team up on one or two teams in glamor locations, it sort of undermines the entire notion that any given NBA franchise can create a great team if they just make smart strategic choices and hire coaches with good ideas and ability to motivate.

That kind of ruins a lot of my enjoyment of the NBA, too.

I'd rather a league built on the NBA model than the NFL model.  It's more interesting (IMO), and definitely more fair towards the players.

Super teams don't bother me in the least (regardless of how they're formed).  I embrace the idea of chasing a target, as elusive as that target may be.  Ideally, I'd rather be the target, but both can be enjoyable.

[KGBirdBias]

I'm interested to see how our young players act after the trade deadline knowing that AD could be on his way. Do they tank it or do they step up for the playoffs?

[Vermont Green]

So players shouldn't be allowed to choose to play wherever they want? Should they simply just, "shut up and do as they're told"?

I don't have as much an issue with Durant but I think there should be rules against players "colluding" through their agents to create these curated teams.  Free Agency is one thing, become a FA, go where you want, fine.  But all this other stuff is a different story.  And in particular, this instance with Davis bothers me.

[PhoSita]

I'd rather a league built on the NBA model than the NFL model.  It's more interesting (IMO), and definitely more fair towards the players.

Super teams don't bother me in the least (regardless of how they're formed).  I embrace the idea of chasing a target, as elusive as that target may be.  Ideally, I'd rather be the target, but both can be enjoyable.

That's fair, I just don't feel that way.

I don't really worry that much about what's fair for the players, because at the end of the day the least paid NBA player is going to make millions of dollars if they're able to stick in the league for a couple years.

That's not to say the players shouldn't be paid somewhat commensurate with their worth.

But again, I care more about strategic balance among the teams.

Note that's not the same thing as competitive balance, because I think it's a good thing when well-run teams are able to succeed while poorly run teams fail.


I recognize that many fans like super teams and don't have a problem with star players teaming up.  I get that the NBA likes it, for the most part, because it drives casual interest and it also drives 24 hour news cycles year round.


I prefer a league with more evenly distributed talent.  I like it when we enter the playoffs not really knowing who is going to make the Finals or who is going to win the Finals.

[BringToughnessBack]

I'm interested to see how our young players act after the trade deadline knowing that AD could be on his way. Do they tank it or do they step up for the playoffs?

Good question, if they truly believe they are on the block, that is not exactly a recipe for better team chemistry going forward. Yes, they are professionals and not supposed to care but they are human and it will most likely impact camaraderie. Also, if Tatum gets traded to NO, good luck in him not bolting  back to a major market the second he gets a chance.

[LarBrd33]

I'm interested to see how our young players act after the trade deadline knowing that AD could be on his way. Do they tank it or do they step up for the playoffs?

Good question, if they truly believe they are on the block, that is not exactly a recipe for better team chemistry going forward. Yes, they are professionals and not supposed to care but they are human and it will most likely impact camaraderie. Also, if Tatum gets traded to NO, good luck in him not bolting  back to a major market the second he gets a chance.

I mean if I'm Jaylen Brown's agent I'm telling him to just play out this season like Vince Carter in his final year with the Raptors... just avoid getting injured.  Next season is a contract year and you'll have a far bigger role to earn that cash money. 

Luckily, I don't think Jaylen Brown has an agent yet, right?  Isn't he a rare example of a guy who was like "Why pay an agent when we're all stuck on the same rookie scale contract anyways?"... or did he finally hire someone? 

[LarBrd33]

So players shouldn't be allowed to choose to play wherever they want? Should they simply just, "shut up and do as they're told"?

I don't have as much an issue with Durant but I think there should be rules against players "colluding" through their agents to create these curated teams.  Free Agency is one thing, become a FA, go where you want, fine.  But all this other stuff is a different story.  And in particular, this instance with Davis bothers me.

It really does seem like the balance of power there doesn't make a ton of sense.  The whole idea behind that Rose rule, I guess, is that teams don't put together unbeatable teams with too much talent... but there's nothing stopping Durant from taking a significant paycut to join a 73 win team and break the league competitively for a few years.

[Monkhouse]

I'm interested to see how our young players act after the trade deadline knowing that AD could be on his way. Do they tank it or do they step up for the playoffs?

Good question, if they truly believe they are on the block, that is not exactly a recipe for better team chemistry going forward. Yes, they are professionals and not supposed to care but they are human and it will most likely impact camaraderie. Also, if Tatum gets traded to NO, good luck in him not bolting  back to a major market the second he gets a chance.

I mean if I'm Jaylen Brown's agent I'm telling him to just play out this season like Vince Carter in his final year with the Raptors... just avoid getting injured.  Next season is a contract year and you'll have a far bigger role to earn that cash money. 

Luckily, I don't think Jaylen Brown has an agent yet, right?  Isn't he a rare example of a guy who was like "Why pay an agent when we're all stuck on the same rookie scale contract anyways?"... or did he finally hire someone?

As of December 8, 2018, it doesn't seem like it.

CHICAGO — Jaylen Brown said he’s sticking to his convictions. Even though he will likely negotiate a lucrative, career-defining contract extension with the Celtics this summer, he insists he won’t hire an agent.

Brown, 22, has never employed an agent but has hired specialists to negotiate contracts, shoe deals, and other endorsements since he entered the NBA in 2016. Despite the fact Brown could perhaps procure a deal in the neighborhood of $80 million-$90 million after his third season, he will continue the practice of hiring a specialist.

Most NBA players employ agents.

[Fierce1]

I feel excited. Boston is best placed to land AD.

And I love AD. Rate him as most talented player in the league for several years now.

but... but I love Tatum

No other player I would trade for Jayson Tatum.

Hard to let Tatum go, but it's Anthony Davis.

[LarBrd33]

I feel excited. Boston is best placed to land AD.

And I love AD. Rate him as most talented player in the league for several years now.

but... but I love Tatum

No other player I would trade for Jayson Tatum.

Hard to let Tatum go, but it's Anthony Davis.

What would you need to see from Tatum to make you see him as untouchable in even an Anthony Davis trade?

[SHAQATTACK]

I'm interested to see how our young players act after the trade deadline knowing that AD could be on his way. Do they tank it or do they step up for the playoffs?

Good question, if they truly believe they are on the block, that is not exactly a recipe for better team chemistry going forward. Yes, they are professionals and not supposed to care but they are human and it will most likely impact camaraderie. Also, if Tatum gets traded to NO, good luck in him not bolting  back to a major market the second he gets a chance.

its not just Celtics players now that face uncertain future because of AD announcements. The whole Chemistry of the NBA , other than GS is now twisted , half way though the season and good amount of teams players will wonder if they are part of the ulimate AD deal to come.
 But , the whole laker team , other than Bron can be or will traded as necessary, including an imminent firing of zLuke walton to suit Bron.  How are they gonna react ....and Lonzos father ....will he explode ?  Leonard s future just become unclear. Davis may have just taken his spot? 

This just discombobulated alot of the expectations of fans , players , cities , GMs , corporate heads of advertisment ...on and on ....

other words everybodies brain is fixated on what Davis does . 

Its amazing how one player can suddenly control 1/2 trillion in sports

[cltc5]

So players shouldn't be allowed to choose to play wherever they want? Should they simply just, "shut up and do as they're told"?

I don't have as much an issue with Durant but I think there should be rules against players "colluding" through their agents to create these curated teams.  Free Agency is one thing, become a FA, go where you want, fine.  But all this other stuff is a different story.  And in particular, this instance with Davis bothers me.

It really does seem like the balance of power there doesn't make a ton of sense.  The whole idea behind that Rose rule, I guess, is that teams don't put together unbeatable teams with too much talent... but there's nothing stopping Durant from taking a significant paycut to join a 73 win team and break the league competitively for a few years.

Durant should never get judges for what he did when lebron James has designed every [dang] team he’s been on for his own liking.  Goat my ass

[RodyTur10]

I'm interested to see how our young players act after the trade deadline knowing that AD could be on his way. Do they tank it or do they step up for the playoffs?

Good question, if they truly believe they are on the block, that is not exactly a recipe for better team chemistry going forward. Yes, they are professionals and not supposed to care but they are human and it will most likely impact camaraderie. Also, if Tatum gets traded to NO, good luck in him not bolting  back to a major market the second he gets a chance.

its not just Celtics players now that face uncertain future because of AD announcements. The whole Chemistry of the NBA , other than GS is now twisted , half way though the season and good amount of teams players will wonder if they are part of the ulimate AD deal to come.
 But , the whole laker team , other than Bron can be or will traded as necessary, including an imminent firing of zLuke walton to suit Bron.  How are they gonna react ....and Lonzos father ....will he explode ?  Leonard s future just become unclear. Davis may have just taken his spot? 

This just discombobulated alot of the expectations of fans , players , cities , GMs , corporate heads of advertisment ...on and on ....

other words everybodies brain is fixated on what Davis does . 

Its amazing how one player can suddenly control 1/2 trillion in sports

Knowing that LeBron is behind all this, what would you think of him as a teammate?

If Davis isn't dealt I wouldn't pass the ball anymore to James if I were playing there. Just try to pad stats. And any occasion that James makes an error on defense I would yell at him until he voluntarily leaves the court.

[Phantom255x]

Thank you Anthony Davis and Rich Paul. Thank you and the media so much for leaking these trade requests and rumors on the first killer/brutal week of the semester for me. Seriously, thanks SMH 

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Corporate Money ruined NASCAR
ACC Sports
NBA

at least i got to live during the good,old,days and enjoy the sports as they originally intended.

NATIONAL FRAUD LEAGUE (NFL) also. it is a monopolized oligarchy of 32 owners. it is not a real ethical competitive sport nor is it great entertainment. the saints were screwed by the worse no call in NFL playoff history and should be in the super bowl. Why the rams? BIG MARKET same as lakers! 4 officials from the NFCCG live in california! NFL network HQ is n california! it is a sham league. big money is ruining all pro sports.