Northwest Response to Kidd
One thing, for me, that was revealed with the trade to bring Kidd to the Mavs was that the Blazers are interested in keeping their group together. They talk a lot in the local papers about the team chemistry and how the “team” is the most important part of the future of the franchise. With all the major players in the Western Conference making blockbuster deals to prepare for the playoffs, the Blazers could have easily joined the fray.
Right now, in the middle of what may turn out to be a four game slide, any action by the Blazers could be justified by a trip to the playoffs. Even if the regular season ends with the Blazers on the outside of the playoff picture, which it is too early to guarantee, there has been enough promise this year for Blazers fans to feel good about the future. Kudos to management for not taking part in a three way deal, even if it means that the playoffs have to wait for at least another year. Who knows, they could get the #1 pick again.
Now you can officially add Shawn Marion to the list of this summer’s list of trade demands. His feelings are hurt because he has heard his name in trade rumors all Summer and has yet to get a contract extension. Has he lost his damn mind? Does he really think there is any better place to play than Phoenix? Dallas or San Antonio, maybe, but there is no chance in hell he could or would end up in either place, so put a sock in it and play. How could he possibly be so pissed off at the only team he’s played for that he’s willing to leave Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire. You are already on a team with two of the best talents in the game, and you want to leave! Someone needs to shake some sense into that numbskull before he says something even stupider. Yeah, the prospects of playing with Kobe might be enticing, but the chances of that trade between Marion and Lamar Odom are slim to none. Rumors are also abound about a trade between Andrei Kirilenko of the Jazz and Marion. These all just seem so far fetched to me. Marion’s got to snap out of it in a few days. He just has to. Too good of a player not to. I really believe that come Monday, the start of training camp, it will be business as usual for Marion and the Suns.
