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http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/kareem_maneuvered_way_to_lakers_t7rAgSHtr6C6NkbdEfPIfP

I found this article through Kelly Dwyer on Ball Don’t Lie. It was written by Peter Vescey, and basically explains Wayne Embry’s rationale behind trading one of the greatest basketball players of All-Time to the Los Angeles Lakers. Honestly, it is super relevant to these times when you think about it. If anything, it kind of lets you examine the incredible changes in media coverage, which used to be pretty much newspapers and television, and in these times we get our news at the drop of a hat. Not to mention, I think the increase in news sources makes getting that first story worth so much more, so keeping a secret of the magnitude of Kareem wanting to leave Milwaukee would be near impossible. One thing I also think this article shows is that the bigger market teams, more often than not, are indeed the most attractive locations to major players. Kareem did not feel in touch with the community in Milwaukee, I am guessing if people in Wisconsin knew how he felt they would have hated him as much as Chris Bosh is hated in Toronto for never feeling at home. Kareem was born in New York and went to college in LA, he was used to the big city and felt most comfortable their.

As much as many people love repping their city and where they are from, their are always factors that make some markets very attractive. The NBA has been a league where the larger markets have basically dominated. Part of it is probably what you define as smaller and larger markets. It is difficult to classify really, San Antonio is the smallest Texas market, yet the Spurs still can attract from the major population all over an enormous state base. The Nets have always been considered a small market team, but they are going through changes that could eventually make them a major market. Still, no matter what, the NBA, like other professional leagues, will always have markets that are more attractive than others. I think it is a combination of being in larger cities or markets, attractive climates, but, more than anything, well run organizations willing to spend money to win championships. Certain teams will always have an advantage, be it team history or being in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago or in states such as Texas or Florida with huge populations and warmer southern climates. One thing though, that is the great equalizer is running a great franchise. It is knowing how to rebuild a team, which is something that Wayne Embry attempted to do upon trading Kareem, though he unfortunately did not find the correct pieces. Look at San Antonio though, they struck gold in the NBA lottery a couple times and made themselves a staple amongst the NBA’s elite.

What I feel this article about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tells us however is that their really was no "good old days", where you played for the team that chose you until you retired. Wilt Chamberlain being traded to Los Angeles was probably under the same pretenses as those of Kareem. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan? All incredibly lucky to land in larger markets. Imagine if Michael was chosen by Sacarmento, Milwaukee or Cleveland. Would he have been completely happy playing in those markets if they never made additions to help him out? Was Michael ever in a situation where a number of players were in free agency and had incredible options in front of them? Did the NBA know when it structured the new CBA and rules that LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh could all have the opportunity to play on the same team? I find it hard to see a conspiracy, and if anything Pat Riley just made a brilliant decisions and maneuvers to have something like this work. If anything, other teams could make this work for them as well in the future. After all, Miami was never considered a major market team. Great basketball minds are the great equalizer, and while you will always have players unhappy to play in certain markets, the best thing you can do is try and go after players that make these smaller markets seem attractive. It is hard to do, but it can and has been done.

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