| Four Modest Suggestions Authored by Joshua Shnider - February 15, 2006 - 2:46 pm
It is mid-February in Chicago, and once again, trade rumor season is in full swing; one week columnist Sam Smith is calling for the Bulls’ whole roster to be sent to Beantown for Paul Pierce, the next he wants half of the current squad sent to Starbucks Country for Ray “I only go all-out in contract years” Allen.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.
Haven’t Boston and Seattle already proven that Allen or Pierce led clubs aren’t winning any rings? Allen is good, and Pierce is nearly great, but both need pieces around them (pieces Chicago can’t provide) to bring home a championship.
But fear not Chicagoans! I ask you to sit back, relax, recline and grab a Bud. Y’all will be fine in NBA land. I already sent G.M. John Paxson my four-step plan. Think NBA rehab…
Dear Mr. Paxson,
The following guidelines will keep you from becoming Isiah II. Well, the following guidelines, and not forcing yourself on cute office assistants.
Anyways read carefully and take notes, there may be a quiz at the end.
1). Let Tim Thomas’s contract expire. Don’t trade him for a Kenyon Martin type (i.e. big contract, big injury risk). Let New York be that team, and chuckle from afar.
2). Sit on your cap space. Do not dare overpay for Peja Stojakovic. I know, I know, he would love to play for Head Coach Scott Skiles. They are pals. Good, great, grand! Who cares? This isn’t Brokeback Mountain 2, it’s the National Basketball Association; no one wants a love story, they want a championship. Peja is on the decline and the stats prove it. Don’t give in to rash columnists and unruly fans. Patience is a virtue. I repeat, patience, young grasshopper, is a virtue. Wait for a player who is worth a large contract. It may be a year or two, but it’s not like Peja would make you a contender next season.
3). Keep Ben Gordon. Keep Chris Duhon. Keep Kirk Hinrich. Keep Andres Nocioni. Keep Luol Deng. They are all good, none will demand max-contract money, and all can play an important role on a championship team.
4). Draft Rudy Gay with the first-rounder you got from the Knickerbockers. He is the most talented player in this draft, and the more Jim Calhoun-coached players you can amass the better. On that note, if Hilton Armstrong comes out, try and snag him with your other first-rounder. He projects to be an impact defender, and those are a requirement on championship-contending teams.
Those four steps shouldn’t be that hard to follow.
Sincerely,
The Dude
Here’s to hoping Mr. Paxson sticks to these simple suggestions and doesn’t make an Elton Brand-esque mistake by jettisoning Ben Gordon out of the Windy City. |
