Chris Paul to LA

Chris Paul was traded last night from the New Orleans Hornets to the LA Clippers. This deal seems simple in principal, but the actions that lead up to it are what make this deal especially unique. Last week, the LA Lakers had agreed to a deal with the Hornets to acquire Paul. This deal seemed good as done until NBA commissioner David Stern stopped the transaction. While Stern does not typically have this power this was an extenuating circumstance, as a few years ago the Hornets owner left the team, and the team was not bought. Thus, the team is actually owned and managed by the NBA itself.

Chris Paul going to the Clippers instantly makes the clippers a threat in the Western conference. The combination of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will most definitely be a sight to behold, with many highlight real dunks. Paul going to the Clippers instantly creates more equality in the West, which had been a goal in the leagues new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Nevertheless, David Stern made a huge mistake. The argument for turning down the trade to the Lakers was all related to the Hornets being to weak after the trade, and the Lakers being too strong. In the deal the Lakers agreed to trade both Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom (yes, Khloe Kardashians Husband) away in exchange for Paul. While the Lakers obviously believed that this trade would make the team stronger this is highly debatable. With no Gasol or Odom, the Lakers lack talented big men. The only big man left with any talent is Bynum. While Bynum is undoubtedly a strong player, he has missed a majority of his career due to injury. In the likely case of another injury to Bynum, the Lakers would have had no one to control the paint. Additionally, Chris Paul and Kobe’s games do not mesh well on paper. Paul is a scorer and passer, who spend a lot of time with the ball in his hand weaving out of defenders. Kobe also tends to require the ball in his hands to create offense. With only one ball on the court, Kobe and Paul could not both have the ball in their hands at the same time.

By not allowing the trade, NBA commissioner David Stern only created more drama to what has already been a very negatively dramatic summer for the NBA. Had Stern handled this deal more carefully it could have created additional excitement throughout the NBA and helped it rebound from its summer lockout. Yet instead there are more questions being asked about the NBA, and its leaders, and it may leave some to wonder if the NBA will ever be the major sports brand it once will.