this was written on a raptors forum by someone in the know:

Here's a recap of a little lesson I was taught by Bill Harris when he was the Sun's beat writer for the Raps.

Today, you see a lot of rumors being floated about possible Raptor trades or trade ideas. Partly, that's to be expected because the team was 12-20 on Jan. 1. That's genuine suckatude. But the specific names you see aren't there by accident. Every week, the media has a conference call where the beat writers exchange ideas that they don't want to put in their own newspapers. Why? Well, if you engage in speculation about your own team, management will get real ornery and you might burn your sources within the organization. And it's mainly idle speculation - if you really knew anything solid about real trades, you'd probably go ahead and print it yourself.

So the media swaps this stuff so they have grist for the rumor mill. And since it involves another team's guys, a writer can be as ridiculous in his speculation as he wants.

The tip off you get is on a Sunday when three or four newspapers around the US have the same speculation about BC's (colangelo's) intentions. Bargnani is suddenly the focus of attention on the same day after months of relatively little speculation? There is obviously a coordinated release of information here. Just look at Hoopshype's Sunday rumors. We know from past experience that Milwaukee has one beat writer - and suddenly he's an expert on every other NBA team's trade speculation?

Give me a frikken break!

Whether they have an actual phone call or an exchange of email blasts, I'm not concerned about the logistics.

This goes beyond Sam Smith's wild trade speculation which I - and every Bulls fan - believe he just pulls out of his åss.

This is speculation that is coordinated, even guided by reasonable assumptions, but nevertheless has no basis in fact.

We know 99% of this doesn't result in a real trade, but I believe that 98% of this speculation doesn't even reflect real trade conversations between the teams. Sure, some GMS have probably sounded BC out on every Raptor, Bosh included, but real speculation has to be based on a source that says the parties have at least exchanged proposals. If the interest is not two-way, then there is no trade talk. A one-way expression of interest is not trade negotiations.

Beat writers are rarely judged by any other criteria than the following:

1. Does what you write sell newspapers or online readership?
2. Does what you write get us sued?
3. Are your overtime and expense account filings reasonable?

In the news pages or business pages, the need to tell the truth reflects a higher standard, but trade talk in sports is like speculating on whether Brad and Angelina are sleeping with new partners - if nobody sues, it's all good and sells papers.

so the next time there is trade "rumors" reported, understand where it's coming from and not to run away with it like it's gospel.

I do think that some reporters and maybe even some NBA personnel get ideas or thoughts from forum boards like this one. If we can influence Walsh not to make a stupid deal and generate a new trade proposal that the Knicks have not considered, then it is all gravy. I think most people realize that trade talk is 99% BS anyway.

Did I read that correct. The knicks can turn qrich and lee into camby and frye?

Please tell me it's true. Please!

Posted by babyKnicks:

Did I read that correct. The knicks can turn qrich and lee into camby and frye?

Please tell me it's true. Please!

You read a clipper towel boy's idea, posted on TKB's comments section, picked up by Isola as fact, and run with like a wildfire through wiretaps nationwide.

Why would we want Camby and Frye?

Posted by BasketballJones:

Why would we want Camby and Frye?

To make the 09 playoffs and shock the world of course. Have you not been following?

I really have no idea unless we're also getting rid of trash (Curry or Jeffries), getting some picks back, some young kids back as well, and partly because it might resolve the David Lee situation (to pay or not to pay).

Seemingly, variants of the idea, have some of those above goodies coming back our way. If they did? Great! If it's just shipping out Lee+already 2010 expirings of our own... for Camby and Frye? Eh, what's the point?


I still think it's a completely made up pile of crap that's suddenly turned into an online explosion of supposed fact.

Posted by TheGame:

I do think that some reporters and maybe even some NBA personnel get ideas or thoughts from forum boards like this one.

This made me laugh.