NFL
Here we go. Here comes the slander towards the Brooklyn Nets after the signing of LaMarcus Aldridge following his buyout with the San Antonio Spurs. If I’m not mistaken, this was all Aldridge’s idea to join the Nets. Rumors had him going back to the Portland Trail Blazers, maybe the Los Angeles Lakers, or even the Miami Heat. But in the end, it was HIS decision.
He chose the Nets, not Miami, Los Angeles, or Portland. It doesn’t matter if Kevin Durant, James Harden, or even Steve Nash was on the phone, it was Aldridge’s choice. He made the choice that best suits him.
It’s the same with Blake Griffin who signed two weeks earlier with Brooklyn. These players were free to do whatever they wanted and they chose to take their talents to Atlantic Avenue and not South Beach or Hollywood. So, are fans mad at the Brooklyn Nets, the players, or the fact that their beloved teams didn’t make the cut?
To hear these outbursts from fans of the Lakers, Clippers or even the Knicks makes no sense. For starters, players have not been too keen on signing with a team that LeBron is on. Remember, most players are out for revenge thanks to his teams in Miami and then Cleveland.
The goal is to beat LeBron and the defending champs. For the last 6-7 years, LeBron has been a member of “Super Teams” himself and all the rest of the league is doing is following suit. So, how and why are people mad? It was the same when Durant made his way to Golden State.
The Nets have a goal and that is to win a title, the same as every other team in the NBA. Teams are going to be stacked but just like the Heat and Cavs before them, the Nets are signing players their respective teams did not want and are doing so at a low cost. It’s a smart business decision.
These players are veterans in search of a ring. What’s the difference between the NBA and pickup ball? Do you as a captain choose four of the worst players to run beside you? No, you’re going for the best talent available. Isn’t that the job of any GM, to gather the best talent?
Besides, the Brooklyn Nets grabbed Griffin who was averaging just 12.3 points and 5.2 rebounds while with the Detroit Pistons. Aldridge was averaging 13.7 points and 4.5 rebounds a game while with the Spurs. How much damage are they really going to do? Fans are going off their name instead of their game. These are the signings that the Lakers would have normally gobbled up but these players did not want to go to L.A. So, you blame the Nets for that?
Veteran players want to win and they want to do so now. Teams such as the Timberwolves, Magic, and Kings are not in the running. Griffin and Aldridge are PF’s so why would they sign with the Lakers when they have Antony Davis? What the hate boils down to is players not selecting their teams.
Everyone keeps screaming that the NBA is not fair as teams are becoming stacked. Well, the answer to that is, tell your GM to do a better job of drafting and evaluating talent. To fix this, win some games and maybe, players will give your trash team a second look.
