Emeka Okafor Is And Is Not The Problem

[BobCatsFanInTx]

The thrash of desperate stars begging for desperate measures has the unfortunate side effect of bringing completely innocent bystanders into the harsh glare of a spotlight predisposed for ridicule, or at least negativity. When Kobe Bryant took to the supermarket parking lot to wage jihad on Business As Usual in L.A., a precocious Andrew Bynum was unfortunately dragged through the muck, as Kobe intimated to fans (on video) that refusing to part ways with young Bynum in a trade for Dead Sea Scrolls co-author Jason Kidd was, basically, stupid.

While Chris Paul hasn't done anything remotely similar to Kobe's FoodMax squeal, the gravitational pull of his personal labor strife with the Hornets has pulled Emeka Okafor into the damning spotlight. Paul isn't explicitly questioning Okafor's will to win or his ability, but, considering Okafor is New Orleans's third highest-paid player (Peja Stojakovic's massive expiring deal comes in second) yet isn't an All-Star, and given that Okafor's contract will likely keep the Hornets from being major free agency players next year, it's clear Paul's reported demand for answers from N.O. management is as much as indictment of Okafor as anyone.

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/07/27/e...t-the-problem/

[Toocool]

Great read, and I have to agree. It does suck when you have a massive contract nowadays in the NBA. Sure it gives the player financial security, but for the organisation itself it can really dig you when you have someone like EO50 taking up all that cap room.

In this case, it was always good news when we swapped EO50 for TC because Shinn is the one having to paying the bills (and we all know he hates paying the bills). He can eat his contract while we happily go and clear cap space with TC.