The best move of the off-season in my opinion was the Pistons signing 30-something point guard Chauncey Billups to a 5 year deal. That's a class move. Here's a class act who led his team to a successful run and instead of getting rid of him because of advancing age, they reward him by taking care of him into his late 30's. I'm all for rebuilding, but I can't blame Bibby for being hurt that he's in trade talks. He did a lot for this team and this city. He didn't win a 'chip, but he deserves the same respect that Chauncey got. Rather than throwing him away, we should reward him and show players that this city and this team appreciates what you do and isn't in this for a one night stand, so to speak. I would rather play for the Pistons than the Kings (not that I could play, but for arguments sake) for that sole reason.
Take a lesson from Joe
- Thread starter ainokea
- Start date
Well then, I'll respond in kind... 
I'm about as pro-sentiment and pro-player as anyone you'll find around here. BUT I do not put players first. They, after all, receive MILLIONS of dollars to play a game, regardless of the color of the uniform they wear. So, while it's nice to talk of respecting a player by keeping him around, even if he could arguably do more for the team in the long run by being traded, then you have to forget about sentimentality a bit.
If a player has been with one team his entire career, a la Reggie Miller, I think it's a little different. But a player who has been traded or opted via free agency to go elsewhere is so much the majority in the league now that few players are kept on one team from start to finish.
If Mike Bibby is hurt that he's being included in trade talks, he's missed the WHOLE picture. He wasn't hurt when he was traded from Vancouver. He wasn't hurt when the Kings ponied up a lot of money for his contract, which he received even though his performance this year was not on a par with what you would expect simply looking at the numbers.
The fans and the community of Sacramento have been very, very, very, very good to Mike Bibby. I think he can cherish the good times and, if traded, remember us fondly. Six plus years with an NBA franchise isn't a one-night stand. If it's time to move younger, if TPTB decide to move Bibby, then I'll wish him farewell and move on...
I'm about as pro-sentiment and pro-player as anyone you'll find around here. BUT I do not put players first. They, after all, receive MILLIONS of dollars to play a game, regardless of the color of the uniform they wear. So, while it's nice to talk of respecting a player by keeping him around, even if he could arguably do more for the team in the long run by being traded, then you have to forget about sentimentality a bit.
If a player has been with one team his entire career, a la Reggie Miller, I think it's a little different. But a player who has been traded or opted via free agency to go elsewhere is so much the majority in the league now that few players are kept on one team from start to finish.
If Mike Bibby is hurt that he's being included in trade talks, he's missed the WHOLE picture. He wasn't hurt when he was traded from Vancouver. He wasn't hurt when the Kings ponied up a lot of money for his contract, which he received even though his performance this year was not on a par with what you would expect simply looking at the numbers.
The fans and the community of Sacramento have been very, very, very, very good to Mike Bibby. I think he can cherish the good times and, if traded, remember us fondly. Six plus years with an NBA franchise isn't a one-night stand. If it's time to move younger, if TPTB decide to move Bibby, then I'll wish him farewell and move on...
The Pistons have played in 4 straight ECFs. Or is it 5? Entirely different situation. If they were coming off a 33 win season the odds of them dropping that contract on Biillups go down dramatically too. Once upon a time when we knocking on the door we rewarded our core players as well -- Webber, Bibby, Doug etc. because when you're close you keep things together, whatever the cost.
When you're not close? You rebuild, not dump mega-contracts on guys who will be in decline by the time you matter again.
But Bibby wants to leave and play for a contender. According to the Bee, he and his agent was heavily involved in last season's trade talk. Not only are we giving him the juice, we're actively trying to fulfill his wish of winning a ring! If anything, Bibby should be mad at the Cavs for not having the balls to pull the trigger.
Bill Walsh once said that its better to trade a player one year too early than a year too late. This is a business after all. Its about winning. Fan's come out to see teams that are winning. Its not a charity organization. If a player can play to a high level to the end of his career and stay with one team in the process, hell I'm all for it. But, its a luxury that only winning teams can afford. AKA Lakers, Celtics, Bulls etc.
The Kings are not in that position. They don't have the luxury of eating big contracts just for the romance of it. Makes for a good movie though.
The Kings are not in that position. They don't have the luxury of eating big contracts just for the romance of it. Makes for a good movie though.
I actually think agents are involved more often than you think, especially when potential for more money is involved. Just look at Bonzi's former agent actively calling teams to work a sign and trade; or Yi Jianlian's agent trying to make something happen this summer.
As for the article, it was written by Sam Amick. The only thing I can find is a posting of the article in a blog:
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