I’m not an NBA guy.  I haven’t had a team to root for since 1998 when the Knicks brought in Latrell Sprewell after he choked his coach in Golden State, P.J. Carlesimo (even though Carlesimo probably deserved it).

But even after The Malice in the Palace, even after Tim Donaghy fixing games (and if you think he’s the only ref who did, you probably still believe in Santa), even after “I’m taking my talents to South Beach,” I didn’t completely dump the NBA.

Coming off a dumber lockout than the NFL, I still figured when playoff time rolled around, I’d rally my hatred of the Lakers and the Heat to watch the games.  But not after Thursday, when the NBA completely lost its mind.

In case you don’t know the details, the LA Lakers had put together a deal for Chris Paul that was likely the best package of players and draft picks a team that was going to lose its superstar (New Orleans) could ever receive.

But Cleveland Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, spurned last year by LeBron, decided he would lead the charge against the Lakers getting better, and fired off an email to Commissioner David Stern asking him to stop the deal.  Amazingly enough, Stern did.

The decision was completely despicable.  I can’t eloquently put into words why it was so heinous, but Grantland’s Bill Simmon, as big an NBA guy as there is, did.

What I can say is I’m done with the NBA.  And I’m guessing I’m not the only one.

THERE IT IS!

-Jake Stevens

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