I think you ought to chill a little on SAR's opinion to go to the Nets.
Why did Malone choose the Lakers over SA? A lot of it had to do with the fact that he wanted the STARTING PF job.
SAR could have joined Miami, Spurs, Heat, Pistons.....
That's only three teams -- would Pop guarantee SAR a starting PF job? I think Pop is pretty happy with the team he has -- and he LIKES having two 7' playing together. Pop wouldn't guarantee Malone a starting position -- why would he guarantee SAR? Miami and the Heat are actually the same team but they resigned Haslem and while SAR is a better player (at least offensively), the Heat don't need to mess with the chemistry (and Haslem is one of Shaq's favs -- don't want to make Shaq mad). We all know that SAR isn't going to start for Detroit -- so who CAN he start for?
NJ has a great PG (if Kidd can get healthy again) and they have a great SF (Jefferson) -- they NEED a post player and that need is something that SAR can fulfill.
If SAR was all about money, he would have taken the sign-and-trade that Portland was scrambling to put together but he was more interested in going to a team that he thought had a chance in the playoffs (it certainly helps that he moved to the EC) and that needed a PF where he could start.
Most great players actually want to earn a ring rather than watching others earn it. I don't find it too surprising that SAR didn't go to the Spurs, Heat, Pistons -- I think he could have helped some other teams (SacTown would have been a better fit, IMO) who had a better shot but I don't see SacTown (even with SAR) beating Phoenix or San Antonio. I think that SAR went to the team that he thought he could help the most!
As for Ray Allen, why are you surprised? First, the guy loves Seattle -- is there anything wrong with staying put? Second, if he is happy staying where he is (umm, Seattle did pretty well last year) -- why berate him for his decision? If EVERY great player decided to jump to a team they thought that had a legit shot at a championship, the NBA wouldn't be a lot of fun during the regular season. Besides, how many of us (you included) would reject an offer to make twice the money doing the same thing?
Players who go for a ring rather than big bucks are going to continue to be the exception in the NBA -- just like it is everywhere else in the world. I actually know people who have turned down making more money elsewhere because of having to move family, relocating, etc. I think there are a lot of factors and I don't have a problem with a guy who decides to stay put! Now if he stays put and whines about never winning a championship -- that's a different subject.
