Sports Section Syndicated (SSS) – February 22, 2008

NBA Trades dominates today’s edition of SSS.

David Aldridge of the Philadelphia Inquirer: In the liveliest NBA trade season in quite some time, nearly every contending team made a significant move by yesterday’s deadline. And those that didn’t were trying up to the last minute. Grading on the curve, here are some early assessments… A-plus: Lakers. (They acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the rights to Marc Gasol, and draft picks.) How can one say anything different after watching a rejuvenated Gasol, who has fit right in with Kobe Bryant and the surging Lakers? Los Angeles also opted not to move Lamar Odom before the deadline, giving this group a chance to mesh. GM Mitch Kupchak should drive to Vegas tonight and bet the ranch. He’s on a roll… A: Spurs. (They acquired Kurt Thomas from Seattle for Brent Barry, Francisco Elson, and a 2009 first-round pick. They also signed Damon Stoudamire.) San Antonio strikes again, getting the rugged Thomas for the playoff run in the physical West while not having to mortgage any of its key pieces. Stoudamire should help down the stretch if starter Tony Parker continues to be slowed by injuries.

Bill Plaschke of the LA Times: In a college game… Against Oregon… O.J. Mayo has done just about everything else for USC, the center of attention as promised… He’s had one of his dribbles stripped. He’s had another dribble stolen… He’s fouled a guy after missing a rushed shot. He’s stood around while another guy sneaked behind him for a rebound and a basket… He’s been out-hustled and outfought and generally overshadowed for every one of those 12 minutes… In a college game… Against Oregon… And everyone said that by coming to USC for only one year, the NBA’s next great star would not be getting an education?… Oh, no. He’s learned something, all right… Even after Thursday night when he eventually scored 32 points and led USC to an 81-75 victory, the lesson is still clear… Mayo has learned he needs to stay in school another year. And if he hasn’t learned it, well, the NBA folks certainly have learned it.

Frank Isola of NY Daily News: Either James Dolan revoked Isiah Thomas‘ cell phone privileges or there just isn’t much of a market for underachievers with bloated contracts… The NBA‘s trading deadline came and went Thursday without Thomas making a single move. There is still a possibility of the Knicks adding a point guard, especially if Sacramento releases Tyronn Lue, but Thomas’ days of questionable trades and suspect free agent signings appear to be over… Thomas had said for weeks that he had the authority to make trades and yet nothing happened. It’s hard enough to sell to fans the idea that Thomas is the right man for the job coming off Wednesday’s embarrassing 40-point loss in Philadelphia. But if Thomas was permitted to make deals, how could he have sat still when the Knicks are 16-38 heading into tonight’s game against Toronto?… There is a theory that Dolan, who is expected to remove Thomas from power by season’s end, would never have allowed Thomas to make a trade that could hurt the franchise long-term. Dolan’s thinking was probably something along the lines of “he’s done enough already.”

John Hollinger of ESPN (on Cleveland 3-way deal): Say this for Danny Ferry — when he swings, he swings for the fences. He hasn’t been able to get a deal done for the past two years in part because he’s been going for big moves like this, which are harder to pull off. But when it works … man, does it work… This one works, big time. Answer me this: Would you rather have Larry Hughes (12.0 PER) or Wally Szczerbiak (16.0)? Shannon Brown (8.5) or Delonte West (10.1)? Donyell Marshall (8.5) or Ben Wallace (12.1)? Drew Gooden (12.8) or Joe Smith (17.4)?… The last one is the only comparison where you’d even hesitate, because Gooden has been better the previous several years. But Smith crushes Gooden on PER this season, and isn’t prone to mental gaffes the way Gooden is.

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