WTF-
I'm not even sure that VC is a better Face up 1on1 player than Hedo is right now
Once you make this statement, your castrated with regard to your basketball capping acumen. So just know I stopped reading your post from that point on. Making a statement like that is akin to dropping your pants at a dinner party and saying, "Has anyone seen my dignity?"
As a Nets fan, this VC trade was jaw-dropping. But clearly, this was a payroll dump. Bruce Rattner is still having trouble financing the Brooklyn arena (in the billions) and not a single shovel of dirt has been lifted to build it. Don't think that didn't have a major role in prompting this trade.
The one thing to look out for for Magic fans: When was the last time Rod looked like he was on the bad end of a trade or a release? There's too many to name off the top of my head.
The original Carter trade - So lopsided it compensates somewhat for how the Nets gave away Dr. J. Yes, it was that bad of a return for the Raptors!
The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have acquired forward Eric Williams (like him but he gave very little), forward/centre Aaron Williams (hard worker but a 10th man AT BEST) and center Alonzo Mourning(wouldn't play for them!), along with two first-round draft picks (Joey Graham in 2005 LOL, Renaldo Balkman 2006 traded to the Knicks although the Raptors got rid of an albatross of a contract themselves in Jalen Rose in this trade. They ultimately ended up with Antonio Davis) from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Vince Carter.
So, the Raptors traded VC in his prime for Eric Williams, Aaron Williams, Alonzo Mourning (should i stress again he wouldn't play for them), Joey Graham, and Antonio Davis. Read that again if you don't think Rod Thorn is a mastermind of trades.
Kidd for Harris - HUGE franchise transforming steal for the Nets
Letting Kenyon go - HUGE payroll saving move...given what the nuggets paid him, Rod looked like a fiscal genius and master evaluator of future returns from a player (and the media lambasted him at the time for letting him go).
But the biggest move he made was his first...the draft day trade in 2001 that brought Richard Jefferson,Jason Collins and Brandon Armstrong for Eddie Griffin....Folks, Jefferson and Collins anchored a bench that brought them to the first finals appearance in their NBA history, then the two became starters the next year, a year they in which they went to the final AGAIN...Eddie Griffin?...the #7 pick? HE'S DEAD! No disrespect but the Nets are STILL getting dividends from that trade. Don't tell me the Rockets wouldn't have have a better chance to beat the Lakers in Game 7 this year if you put Jefferson in that lineup.
Make a trade with Rod (unless its a payroll dump like the Jefferson for Yi trade, and which this one is as well) WATCH OUT!