This definitely has to have been one of the most active seasons of note in respect to big name players being moved this year in the NBA. Things got started back in late December when under appreciated Kyle Korver was shipped out of Philadelphia to surging Utah for Gordan Giriceck and a protected first round pick. Then on February 1st the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol and a second round pick from Memphis for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and Aaron McKie. The Lakers absolutely stole Gasol from the Grizzlies and definitely improved their chances of winning the NBA Finals. Roughly a week later the Suns countered the Lakers trade by shipping Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Miami for superstar Shaquille O’Neal. Also, a little over three weeks ago I predicted Kidd would be traded to the Mavericks well before the rumors began and ultimately this week Dallas able to get the deal done. Devin Harris, Gana Diop, Trenton Hassell, Moe Ager, Keith Van Horn and a pair of draft picks were shipped to New Jersey in order to acquire Kidd, Malik Allen and Antoine Wright. The final big trade came through yesterday when Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons were traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Joe Smith, Ben Wallace and Chicago’s 2009 regular second round draft pick. Also as part of the three-team trade, Chicago sent Adrian Griffin to Seattle. There were some other smaller trades like Mike Bibby to the Hawks, Gerald Green to the Rockets, Kurt Thomas to the Spurs, and Bonzi wells along with Mike James to the Hornets so all in all it was a very hectic time. I ultimately think the Lakers helped themselves the most especially if Andrew Bynum can come back completely healthy. Only time will tell and this has to be the most buzz around the NBA since the Jordan days.

So let him go! Three years now with a demand to be traded each year and the first two times Jason Kidd’s wish wasn’t granted. I think the third time should be a charm for the New Jersey Nets and ultimately Kidd. If a player wants out as bad as kidd then you need to let him go rather than him being a detriment to your team as a “leader”. I understand he is still one of the top point guards in the league, but if he isn’t committed then f%$k him. You are more than likely opening your new coliseum in Brooklyn for 2010 so why not trade him NOW for some young exciting talent? This talent will help make your coliseum grand opening a success rather than a Bronx cheer.

Since training camp opened this year for the NBA players have been complaining about the new microfiber composite basketball that David Stern demanded be the new basketball for the league. Well, after so many complaints and even proof the ball was causing injuries on stars such as Steve Nash and Jason Kidd the NBA has changed their mind. On January 1, 2007 the NBA will return to the old leather model. This situation stunk from jump and I’m really surprised Stern waited this long, but I’m sure he needed to look and act like he was in charge as long as possible. Will this help the NBA game overall though? I think this is the point they should be more focused on, but what the heck do I know!