The three-way trade involving Paul was just the first piece of the puzzle. LA was opening up salary space to add Dwight Howard to the mix to build the West Coast version of the Miami Heat.
The fact that three players could conspire to "take their talents" to the same team and form a super power was something that the NBA was trying to stop. It ruins the competitive balance of the league when the players dictate where and whom they want to play with.
Other than the occasional Kevin Durant or Tim Duncan, players who are satisfied with a small-market team, most of the prime-time players are looking for the flash and cash that a South Beach or Hollywood provide.
While it may be great for the fans of those teams, it's poison for the small-market clubs and their fans.
Is it worth investing your time, your heart and your money in something doomed to fail year after year?
Things weren't always this way. Back in the good old days, a player was drafted by a team, and you played there until you were traded or you retired.
The most successful teams were the best-run teams, not the ones in hot markets or with the deepest pockets. You couldn't buy a championship, but you could outsmart your counterparts by trading for a Bill Russell, or drafting a Larry Bird a year early and waiting a year for him to come on board.
Now you just strip your team down to the bare bones and announce you're open for business to the marquee free agents.
In the case with Paul, he's not even a free agent yet, but in anticipation o...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
