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TheSage
Posts: 21039
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Joined: 2/20/2003
Member: #386
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Trade looks more like surrender
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 6, 2004 12:00 AM
This wasn't a blockbuster trade. This was a hope-buster trade.
This was further proof that players come, players go and the Suns' only constant is panic.
Bryan Colangelo, the trigger-happy general manager, simply gave away his best player on Monday, pawning off his only star in a league where stars run the show. After selling us a new future, a new buzz and a new Stephon Marbury, the Suns ripped up the blueprint after 34 games.
That is shameful, shortsighted and has shaken the faith in this team's future.
There are only two conclusions why this decision was reached, and they're both about money. They couldn't resist unloading the 2 1/2 years left on Penny Hardaway's Hindenburg contract; and Jerry Colangelo couldn't handle paying up to $10 million in luxury taxes for a season that is circling the drain.
But for father Colangelo, this sets a land speed record for quitting on a season. Didn't one of his teams make the playoffs after a 0-13 start? Right. In 1997, which seems like five rebuilding efforts ago.
This instantly turned all of our professional teams into one giant rebuilding project, and the timing is absolutely bizarre.
Marbury had rounded off his rough edges and was beginning to deeply resonate with the fans. He was starting to seem like equal value for Jason Kidd, only younger and far more entertaining. He was also the only one outside of Amare Stoudemire with enough fortitude to perform in the fourth quarter.
Apparently, the Colangelos felt this way, too. They not only gave Marbury a four-year contract extension worth up to $80 million in October, they planned the announcement for the day the Nets were in town for a basketball game. As in, "Take that, Jason."
That was also the day father Colangelo gushed over Marbury's development by saying, "It's a belief on our part that he will play a very significant role in helping us achieve our mutual dream, which is winning an NBA championship."
To toss it away now, when the return of Stoudemire and Zarko Cabarkapa would've still given this team a shot at the No. 8 spot in the West, tells you about the gloomy financial picture at America West Arena.
Yes, the team has gone flat and the buzz never materialized from last year's postseason run. Neither did the walk-up customers that make a dinner of hot dogs and beer.
Still, the Suns won't give their fans a chance to grow with their teams or their players, and before Monday's trade, the Suns had uniformed a staggering 78 players in eight years. With that kind of revolving door, you wonder whether the younger Colangelo is getting paid by the trade.
The father's son has shown a deft touch in recent years. He could've been GM of the year in 2002-03. His recent drafts have been spectacular. But this? Trading a 27-year-old superstar on the rise when he could've been a foundation piece for that long-awaited championship?
This rivals the peddling of Curt Schilling for most lopsided acquisition of the year - and both were authorized by the same owner.
I know. Maciej Lampe is going to be a good player. Milos Vujanic is one of the best point guards in Europe, so good that he blew off the Knicks to stay in Europe this season. And with a potential $10 million in cap room next season, the Suns can sign Kobe Bryant, because I'm sure he'll leave Hollywood for Phoenix and a $5 million pay cut.
Of course, the Suns also recovered Antonio McDyess, who started this mad carousel in the first place. When McDyess turned his back on the Suns a few years back, it set into motion a chain of events that made Tom Gugliotta the highest-paid chair-sitter in history.
Ever since, the Suns have been like a dog chasing its tail. And this trade sounded painfully familiar.
Woof. Woof.
[Edited by - TheSage on 01/06/2004 09:19:36]
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