After halted Chris Paul trade, 'basketball reasons' to become catchphrase?
Forget "the dog ate my homework" or "my alarm didn't go off."
Didn't complete an assignment? Messed up? Interfered in someone else's business? You can evade the blame with one simple catchphrase: "basketball reasons."
It worked for David Stern, who killed a three-way trade in which superstar point guard Chris Paul would have come to the Lakers. Even though in the past Stern had mostly left basketball decisions to the discretion of the Hornets' front office, a league spokesperson justified his move by citing that omnibus term.
If Stern and his representatives can get away with that, the players should be able to explain their actions away with that phrase as well. Let's look at situations in which the players could have benefited from the league's lingo.
Ron Artest changed his name to Metta World Peace. WHY? Basketball reasons.
Lamar Odom agreed to star on a reality show with Khloe Kardashian. WHYYYY? Basketball reasons.
LeBron James disappointed a state by announcing that he was leaving his devoted Cleveland fans on an ESPN special. WHYYYYYY? Basketball reasons.
Doesn't quite work, huh?
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Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom must channel frustration properly
-- Melissa Rohlin
Photo: Chris Paul. Credit: Gerald Herbert / Associated Press.
