I have always believed that you should stand behind your
team's management even when you may not agree with their decisions. Often
times, my faith is rewarded and they will show me that they are watching games
in luxury suites while I watch at home on TV for a reason. Jerry Reese is a
prime example. Last offseason, he allowed big contributors in Kevin Boss and
Steve Smith to sign with other teams. This left the Giants with just Hakeem
Nicks and a bunch of unproven guys at wide receiver, and virtually nobody at
tight end. Sure enough, former preseason sensation Victor Cruz salsa-danced his
way to a franchise record 1,536 receiving yards, Mario Manningham made a
Tyree-esque catch in the Superbowl, Jake Ballard was as a clutch as any tight
end in the NFL and the Giants won their second Superbowl in five years. Jerry
Reese has earned my undying faith.
Sadly, it is not always this easy. As a fan of the soon to
be Brooklyn Nets, I do not have this kind of faith in Billy King. In his first
big move, he got us Deron Williams. While in the process we gave up a raw big
man in Derrick Favors who is full of potential and what turned out to be the
3rd overall pick in last year's draft, I still like the move. In today's NBA
you need a stud like D-Will to compete, and Billy went out and got us our guy.
This did not earn him the level of confidence that I have in Jerry Reese, but
it was a nice start. At this year's deadline, he managed to lose that faith.
After Dwight Howard finally decided to opt in to the final year of his Orlando
contract, Billy King made an impulsive decision that cannot be made if you are
an NBA general manager. I in no way condemn him for not landing Dwight Howard.
D12 changed his mind more than a floundering politician this year, nothing you
can do about that one Billy. However, what he could have NOT done is show just
how desperate he was to make a move, and trading for a disinterested Gerald
Wallace.
To all my Nets fans out there, I am sure you all remember
when Vince Carter lost interest in dunking and playing hard, and started
hoisting up all those long range jumpers. It was very frustrating given what he
once was. Gerald Wallace is no different. We all remember him in his hey day
with the Bobcats, and he had some nice moments in Portland, but with the Nets
it's like Vince Carter all over again. He hangs out on the perimeter like he's
Steve Novak. Did I mention we gave up a top-3 protected first round pick in one
of the deepest drafts in recent memory? Let's hope the ping pong balls help us
out Nets fans, because Mr. King sure isn't helping us keep Deron Williams
around for the Brooklyn move.
