Separating Fact from Myth. Or Understanding the Difference Between Ship and Shinola

The Difference between making a deal to sell tickets or cutting cost and making a deal to win a title.

You sign Kenyon Martin to sell tickets

You acquire a legitimate Shooting Guard after signing Kmart to pair with Melo, Andre, Camby, Nen and Kmart because you are committed to winning a title (obviously didn’t happen) rather than marching out retreads like Voshon Lenard or washouts like Demarr Johnson

You trade for Allen Iverson to sell tickets; especially after a long suspension is handed out to Melo & JR

You make the follow-up trade for Artest because you are committed to winning a title (didn’t happen)

You trade for Chauncey Billups to sell tickets

You keep Antonio McDyess rather than buy out his contract because you are committed to winning a title (didn’t happen)

You dump Marcus Camby for a bag of balls and athletic tape to cut cost

You trade Marcus Camby for legitimate players in return because you are committed to winning a title (didn’t happen)

You let tens of millions of dollars in trade exceptions expire, and throw away draft choices to cut cost

You use at least some of the trade exceptions to acquire legitimate players because you are committed to winning a title (didn’t happen)

You wax poetic about the Deron Williams, Marc Gasol,  Al Jefferson and David Lee trades that ALMOST happen because you chose to cut cost

You stop polishing your excuses and actually make a trade for Deron Williams or Marc Gasol or Al Jefferson or David Lee and stop whining… because you are committed to winning

You commit to winning a title, you allow your FO, right or wrong, the opportunity to succeed or fail. You draft , sign and trade for players with the collective aim towards excellence because you are committed to winning a title

You sit at home, pout, get  red-faced puff out your chest make threats like “I’ll get a franchise tag, I’ll get you at recess” and just generally sit at home playing with your Big Bertha… because you are NOT committed to winning

But of course, it's always somebody else's fault... that's right, I forgot that part.