"So crazy... It just might work..."

That's how I would describe the NBA's most recent and perhaps most unexpected trade in quite some time. I know that the Gasol to Los Angeles trade was unexpected, but it wasn't that difficult to make sense of... The Lakers needed help for Kobe, they had expiring contracts, and the Grizzlies were obviously interesting in trading Gasol.

It just kinda made sense...

But This...?

The New York Knicks, once one of the most storied and proud professional sports franchises, have become a laughingstock. As sad as it is to say, things need to change over at Penn Plaza faster than a Phoenix Suns' fast break. After arriving on the scene in December 2003, Isiah Thomas has completely overhauled the roster that Scott Layden, former President of Basketball Operations, assembled. The moment he came on the scene, Isiah began searching and scouring for ways to improve the team, and he has seemingly done a good job.

Or has he?

It must be nice to be a Boston Sports fan. It is no stretch to say that Boston is absolutely on top of the sports world right now. The Red Sox have just won another World Series and The Patriots are the favorite to win their 4th Superbowl in recent memory. If that weren't enough, Boston College's NCAA Football team is currently ranked No. 14 in the BCS Standings and No. 15 in the Associated Press. And not like you care, (or know, for that matter) but the New England Revolution, Boston's Major League Soccer team, has just won their third consecutive Eastern Conference Title in as many years. Sure, they lost the league championship (for the 4^th time), but they are amongst the league elite. And, as if f things couldn't get any better for Boston sports fans...

The Celtics are going to win the Eastern Conference.

Jamal Crawford isn't a happy camper. Neither is Lebron James. Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony are agitated as well. The reason being? According to NBA Officials, after the first week of the 07-08 season, these four players have done more traveling than Jay-Z and Beyoncé. Officials have seemingly placed more of an emphasis on calling the "Hop Step" and the "Let me put my hand under the basketball as if it were a football so I can cross you over" moves as traveling violations. The aforementioned culprits have been scrutinized and victimized repeatedly. Kobe Bryant, on the other hand, has not done much traveling on the court. The really interesting part, however, is the fact that he has not traveled... Off the court... To Chicago (or any other Eastern Conference team).

A while ago, I read an article in which a columnist for ESPN whose work I admired immensely said something along the lines of "most owners have to choose between having a player, or players, who win championships, OR sell tickets." Occasionally, according to him, you'll get a player that does both. While Tim Duncan is busy leading his Spurs to their 5th NBA Title in 9 years, you know that instead of reading your 9 year old his bedtime story, all you need to do is put on the Spurs for 10 minutes, and he'll be out cold. But... Duncan wins championships. Vince Carter, on the other hand, flies more than Delta Airlines, and has helped to sell out many NBA venues over the years, but has only reached as far as the 2nd Round in the East once. Hence, Vince Carter sells tickets. So does Allen Iverson... and Kevin Garnett... and Tracy McGrady... and Gilbert Arenas... and... you get the point.

Or do you?