SteveSilver.net

Vecsey Sucks, Cont’d

When people ask why I find New York Post basketball columnist Peter Vecsey so despicable, my answer is usually that his prose is awful, or his attempts at humor are painful. But another reason is woefully inaccurate “scoops” like this one from this morning's Post (not online):

DENVER – The Lakers, intent on renovating their front line, have consummated a deal that will 6-7 Caron Butler, 6-8 Devean George, and 7-1 Vlade Divac to Utah for Carlos Boozer.
As reported in Sunday’s Post, the Lakers are continuing to discuss a deal that would send 6-10 Lamar Odom to Sacramento for Peja Stojakovic and Bobby Jackson.

This “story” makes it clear that the term “trade rumor” has been redefined to mean “something some sportswriter thinks should maybe happen.” The Boozer deal has NOT been consummated, and moreover, all sides have denied that both moves are under discussion.

Furthermore, why in the world would either of those teams make such a deal, to strengthen a conference rival such as the Lakers? Why would Utah trade a stalwart like Boozer, in the first year of his contract, for three guys who aren’t that good? And even worse, why would Sacramento get rid of the best shooter in the league (Peja), along with a guy who’s been indispensable for their entire run (Jackson), for an erratic, undependable thug such as Odom? The Kings have been trying to get past the Lakers for the last decade, so you wouldn't think they'd be so eager to give them their best player.

Such is life in Vecsey-land… call him the Judith Miller of NBA reporters.

UPDATE: Peter walks it back:

Without further ado, yesterday's late report that the Lakers and Jazz had consummated a deal involving Caron Butler, Vlade Divac and Devean George for Carlos Boozer was so sloppily inaccurate Daily Nuisance NBA columnist Mitch Lawrence demanded to co-sign my byline.

In other words, "I just committed my biggest fuck-up of the year, but instead of apologizing, I'm going to rip my crosstown rival, the one who didn't publish two woefully inaccurate trade rumors as fact in one day yesterday." What a classy guy.

Posted by Stephen Silver at February 21, 2005 10:31 PM