Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant were teammates for several hours. Most fans of the Los Angeles Lakers reacted as if the team had already won the 2012 NBA Finals when it was announced that Chris Paul would be leaving the New Orleans Hornets and taking his talents to the West Coast. However, the trade, which would have led to Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom’s dismissal from L.A., was vetoed by David Stern and the NBA hours after the trade was announced.
According to reports, Stern received backlash from many NBA owners who operate out of smaller markets. The Cleveland Cavs owner Dan Gilbert sent Stern a letter in which he wrote, “It would be a travesty to allow the Lakers to acquire Chris Paul in the apparent trade being discussed.”
However, the vetoing of this trade will hurt the NBA, which is already seeking a public relations boost after the lockout.
Here are five reasons “Trade-Gate” will destroy the NBA’s image. –amir shaw
