re: Gordon agrees to a max deal with Phoenix

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we risk an unhappy star

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I don't see it as that big of a deal. He doesn't have a team cancer type of personality and his game is already pretty well developed. The only place I see his heart not being in it causing problems is playing through pain, but we figured that would be an issue with him anyway.

If the team is winning and the 14 other guys are busting their arse for Monty I don't think Gordon will have a problem staying in line. Gordon also probably doesn't want to lose his starting job to Rivers so Monty's new favorite will put pressure on him to perform.

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if it was sincere, we risk an unhappy star with an injury problem. that's bad news in the NBA

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FTR, I'm pretty sure it was sincere because I heard reports that he or his agent asked Demps to not match the offer

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I don't see it as that big of a deal. He doesn't have a team cancer type of personality and his game is already pretty well developed.

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I don't think he's Baron Davis. I don't think the guy is a total tool. Let's hope we're right. And he and his agent can't possibly have been so naive as to think the Hornets were bluffing when they said they would match. Demps, backed up by Loomis and the Benson organization, don't frick around. So he had to have been prepared for this reaction by the Hornets.

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The only place I see his heart not being in it causing problems is playing through pain, but we figured that would be an issue with him anyway.

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I agree. But how would this really help him during the season? It sure as hell doesn't get him to Phoenix.

I still think there may be some surprises in the works by next Wednesday. I know I don't have any real evidence of that, but I think it's a real possibility.

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FTR, I'm pretty sure it was sincere because I heard reports that he or his agent asked Demps to not match the offer

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It might have been. The only thing he's ever heard from Phoenix is "Cornerstone" and max contract. His introduction to the Hornets was much more negative.

"What do you mean I'm traded?"
"That was fast, the fans turned on me after 2 games."
"Really, 6 weeks of rest? Can't I get a shot or a pill or something?"
"What do you mean I can't talk about football and college basketball?"
"Really? I have to prove that I'm a max guy after I tanked for you?"
"So now I've gone from best player to #3?"

That doesn't mean he can't be part of a Big 3 for the Hornets. If he had more of an attention whoring, me first personality I'd be worried about him becoming some Lamar Odomesque head case.