What I don’t understand about him and others is how they call bull crap on just about anything but a trade rumor. If I say I like a player better than another player, three or four posters will take me to task using stats, team records, and other tools to discredit me. But throw out a rumor from “sources” and they run with it.

Bill Simmons is smart, I don’t know why he uses selective judgment in what he wants to believe and how he has the inability to see the big picture. Most those trades would be like outright owning a bunch of compact cars and trading them for an expensive luxury car with a lease that expires. Once the lease is up you’re out of all your cars, if you don’t make the trade, you still can use your compact cars or trade them later for a car that better suits your needs.

• Several franchises are already in bad shape (economic and performance wise)
• Teams have until Sunday to file for relocation for the next season. On Friday is an owners meeting. Lets see if one does
• One or more teams will definitely be sold or moved in the next 3 years to more attractive markets
• This deadline was a lot about the economy. And the off-season and next year could be a lot worse, when many sponsors, suite owners and season ticket holders don’t extend. Many teams will pretend to get in the LeBron and Wade sweepstakes for 2010, but in reality they just want to cut costs and know (or fear) already they won’t land any top notch free agent with the little cap space the can generate.
• The current CBA ends in 2011, and while I sure don’t hope for another lockout it could very well happen for at least half a season again. The owners are in command there. A higher salary level for superstars who put people in the seats with the elimination of many exceptions and a lower overall salary level/shorter contracts is very likely.

I always think that Ben has been biting the FreeDarko voice when he does his longer pieces (the Paul Allen $$ piece is the latest example)

He’s basically the Travis Outlaw of ESPN.

He’s complained about officiating before. It’s just convenient to bring it up again because of Boston getting screwed.

Do you really think that after or during the recession that all those NBA players and their agents are going to want to go without a check for any length of time? David Stern is also close to retirement and doubt he wants to end his legacy with a major lockout. Everything will be fine.