Square Peg…Round Hole

Have our childhood days taught us nothing? I am a firm believer that if principles taught in kindergarten and advice from mom are applied to most of life’s problems things will work out just fine. Sure to be a more a lengthy blog in the future, I’ll stick right now to the lesson I learned spending hours trying to literally bang a square peg into a round hole…it doesn’t work.

Who might I be referring to that didn’t learn this lesson? I’m not entirely sure, but it’s some combination of the following: Mike D’Antoni, Steve Kerr, Mark Cuban and Avery Johnson most recently.

Both the Suns and the Mav’s bowed out last night after each receiving top seeds the past few years. Combined they have 3 of the last 3 league MVP trophies, the Suns reached out and sacrificed flexibility and defense in Shawn Marion to get Shaq at the deadline, the Mav’s doing the same to get the old and offensively inept (and wife beating) Jason Kidd.

The Mav’s might have been better off suiting their coach Avery Johnson up, Kidd couldn’t stop anyone and couldn’t put the ball in the basket to save his life. This shouldn’t have been a surprise either, and now they’ve given up on a great youngster in Devin Harris in the process.

The Suns run and gun style, granted not proven as a consistent winning style in the NBA, worked for them. To change mid-season and trade for the biggest anchor in the league, Shaq, who not only slows down their offense and exposes them defensively, but he’s owed an additional 20 mill a year the next 2 seasons…hardly the blueprint for allowing yourself flexibility to improve in the off season.

In contrast to these teams, the Lakers, Spurs and Celtics made well timed and well thought out trades vaulting them to phenomenal success. The Lakers and Spurs have already advanced, the Celts eventually will. LA and Boston both had #1 seeds. Sure the names of Paul Gasol, Kurt Thomas and Sam Cassell don’t scare anyone. But each fit perfectly into these team's styles and glaring needs. Passing center in the triangle offense, tough forward to rebound and play defense next to Duncan, backup point guard with size to a 2^nd year phenom (who can guard Billips too).

Listen here GM’s, know your team and your identity. Mid-season is not the time to try and change this, so make trades for your need and not to appease the fan base. What else is it they usually say? Listen to the fans and soon you’ll be sitting with them? Mike D’Antoni and Avery Johnson, I think there are a few already reserved for you…