The awesome spectacle of irrational hysteria was once more on full display after this weekend’s trade between the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards. Amidst the unintelligible rantings, there was even longing for the days of Carrol Dawson. Seriously.
I wanted Caron Butler as much as anyone. I made that clear in my last piece. He would have improved this team while allowing it to retain future financial flexibility.
But if reports are true, Washington was insistent upon the inclusion of one of Houston’s core players. We aren’t privy to the exact nature of the demands, but it’s clear Daryl Morey did not find the cost to be worthwhile.
Does adding Butler while losing someone like Kyle Lowry position this team any better to win a championship? No.
Yet some seem to favor change just merely for its sake. If that fickle hunger isn’t fed, it must import some fault of management. Morey waited too long. Morey can’t make the big deal.
It’s silly, really.
Russell describes the civilized man as “distinguished from the savage mainly by prudence” and “willing to endure present pains for the sake of future pleasures, even if the future pleasures are rather distant.”
Sports quench the escapist thirst. For some, fanhood is the now – hits of fleeting pleasure.
I personally prefer an inferior team in the present if it means a greater chance at a title later on.
We would have all liked Caron Butler. But if it’s true he would have cost the team a member from it’s core, then I’m glad they held off.
Morey still has many options.
I value those possibilities much more than the fleeting satisfaction of a Butler trade.
