Hinrich to Collison. Version 2.0.

(OMG Double Post! sorry…)

1. they are nearly always wrong
2. see #1

Never attribute to malice or cunning what can be attributed to stupidity, ignorance, vanity, etc…

The more I think about it, I think this is probably a case of differing perspective of the OKC and NO organizations. A glass half-empty/half-full scenario.

Quite possibly, the NO guys are more willing to work with a chronic injury, especially since it was one of their guys already holding a big contract. They ask the doctor “can he play with this injury?” and the doc says sure. But he warns it may inhibit his productivity and may become problematic over time. They figure, “ok, we’ll do the best we can. He’ll probably be alright”.

So when they need to drop salary, Chandler comes to mind as one of the better prospects. Perhaps they weren’t completely forthcoming about his injuries, but his troubles this season were well known anyway. They probably figured everyone else already knew Tyson had foot/ankle issues, so anyone bargaining for him was willing to accept that. They probably figured that the OKC would view it the same way that they did.

In OKC, however, Presti has a different philosophy. He asks the doctor a different question… “can Tyson, with proper rest and rehabilitation, come back to 100% form”. The doctor (who evidently was the same one who advised NO in the past) makes essentially the same diagnosis (or possibly Tyson’s foot/ankle is worse since he last examined). Now you get a completely different reaction to the medical results. Presti’s viewpoint is “if I can’t guarantee he won’t have long-term problems and be spending an inordinant amount of time on the bench, then it’s not worth the price.

Yes, Presti is conservative. We LIKE that he is this way. That is why he has a bundle of assets to trade with and use to barter with other GM’s — especially the ones who have been on spending binges and are now hurting.

To me, this is the most logical explanation of what has happened.

Well, that’s no fun!

http://dimemag.com/2009/02/kirk-hinrich-not-going-to-t-wolves/

Presti are you listening???

Secret backdoor deals, double crossing, fakeouts, nefarious 3-step ahead chess moves… soon to be followed by undercover government agents and aliens, no doubt. Perhaps National Enquirer will get a scoop on what “really” happened.

Royce, I think they took your advice about taking a deep breath. Unfortunately, they inhaled gasoline fumes when they did.

Brian :
This is from one of Chad Ford’s sources:
“Finally, this question, after the Tyson Chandler trade was rescinded: Is there any chance that Chandler could be traded again by Thursday?
One GM, speaking on condition of anonymity, told me he spoke with the Thunder and thought they were extremely conservative in their diagnosis of Chandler. While he hadn’t seen the medical evidence, he felt that, based on his conversations with the Thunder, the team may have overreacted to Chandler’s turf toe issue.”

I wonder:
A.) If the toe/ankle is that serious, if downplaying it’s significance by saying the medical evaluation was too conservative is a trading tactic. THe Hornets may be thinking that there are other Chandler suitors that would still be interested if they thought OKC missed the diagnosis.
B.) If ownership got cold feet late in the game and pulled the plug by influencing the report of a medical evaluation to rescue them from signing a big check.
C.) The injury is such that Chandler will only ever be 90% healthy, which makes him an 8 and 8 guy rather than a 12 and 12 guy. I remember the phrase “It’s not going to end his career, but it could hinder it.” and it makes me wonder if that’s what the Hornets fear.

I’m leaning towards B though. The doctor who did the evaluation was the SAME doctor who previously performed surgery on Chandler’s toe. Chandler went on the have a great year that year. The doctor said “…I’m just saying it could take a turn for the worse if you come down on somebody’s foot or hyperextend it or something.” Which is like saying “Your head is just fine, but I can’t clear you, because someday it’s possible that you might suffer a concussion”.

PLEASE. That’s your reasoning? Get out of town. I smell foul play.

Presti may have been to nervous about the doctors news, but even if there is a 50 percent chance that it heals, is it worth taking the risk on a guy we’re going to be paying 12 million a season? Presti has worked too hard to get our team in the financial situation it is to blow it on a guy that very well could spend the next two years on the bench, leaving us with no salary room to put the players around Durant, Green and co to become a perennial contender. What sucks about this is the fact that we all thought we’d shored up the 5 slot, Chandler starts and Nads comes off the bench, perfect. But if there’s a chance he sits on the bench and screws our ability to put other players around our core… than good riddance.