When matter meets anti-matter -- a rare occurence, as far as physicists know -- both are destroyed, releasing pure energy. Why can't the NBA emulate physics? The Charlotte Bobcats traded Corey Maggette to the Detroit Pistons for Ben Gordon and a protected first-round pick in a deal that is somehow a win and a lose for each team. Nothing about this trade is appealing in any way.
So why do it? First, the rational explanation, which depends on a relatively loose definition of the word "rational." According to the ESPN report, new Charlotte head coach Mike Dunlap explained one of the benefits of the trade in succinct terms: "It's always nice to have guys who can shoot a basketball." This is especially true if when discussing a professional basketball team.
As for the Pistons, they get rid of Gordon's horrible contract, which has two years remaining, in exchange for Maggette's horrible contract, which is in its final year. Hooray! But they also give away a first-round pick, which is lottery-protected in 2013, top-eight protected in 2014, top-one protected in 2015 and unprotected in 2016. In other words, they're probably giving up a mid- to late-lottery pick in 2014 or a lottery pick in 2015, because God knows the Pistons aren't getting into the playoffs any time soon.
Ready for the irrational reason? The Charlotte Bobcats want to be historically terrible in a non-lockout season. Sure, they may have broken the record for worst win percentage EVER last season, but it doesn't really count with thaat giant lockout asterisk attached to it. Michael Jordan is famously a fierce competitor who loves winning at all costs, but when his team is a loser, he must want to be the best loser.
Whatever the real reason may be, I think it's safe to say that neither of these teams will be fun to watch this season.
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[ESPN]
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