Many of these moves aren't exactly what I'd call 'gutsy' as they are no brainers...
I think it's the use of the word 'gutsy' that I have a problem with - just because you obtained a big name doesn't mean you are gutsy - it might just mean your dumb - or have other motivations (memphis wanted to save a lot of money, portland was trying to trade zach as the last remnant of an era that almost cost Portland their entire fanbase, Oj Mayo for Kevin love was kevin mchale again being a dumbass)
I also think that you don't have to make trades to be 'gutsy' - if the definition of gutsy is splashy
Elton Brand
Rashard Lewis
Ben Wallace
all 'gutsy' free agent signings
Subtlely is not one of your strong-suits is it?
The definition of gutsy, "having a great deal of nerve".
Place each deal in context, and recognize that I am not saying every deal is a good deal.
Some of these are good some are bad, but at least teams in the West are not afraid to go for it.
I am also saying, that in general the West teams are better managed.
The West is better because the teams are better run
Portland - They sucked (31 wins) and they trade their #1 scorer and #1 rebounder, for a player making $14 million a year who they immediately buyout, and a trade exception they use to get a journeyman, and a Euro who won't come for a year. That took a great deal of nerve. The fact that Portland hasn't made the playoffs yet is not the point. They sucked, they went for it, got little in return immediately and improved by 10 games. Portland could have traded Zach for somebody similar, another "splashy Big Name" and continued to suck.
Prior to that they were run by an Eastern Conference GM in John Nash. He takes an EC approach, makes a splashy, but not gutsy pick of Sebastian Telfair. Next year he has the 3rd pick, with the opportunity to draft Chris Paul or Deron Williams, and what does he do? He decides to CYA on Telfair, trades DOWN to draft a HS player who was generally considered a late lottery to #20 pick in Martell Webster.
Lakers - They got Gasol because they are better managed. I bopped the Lakers over taking Bynum. I said there is very little success drafting HS centers. Well they did their home work, decided that he was worth the risk. Don't tell me that taking Bynum was not a gutsy move.
Suns - They were not going to win with the roster they had. Kerr went all in. Didn't work last year, so he went for it again with JRich. Maybe it won't work with this group but, once Shaq and Nash leave they still have 2 stars in their prime with cap space to take a run at someone else as a FA, and maybe keep in going for 5 more years.
Houston - has underachieved with Yao and McGrady. They go for it with Artest. Maybe they can get a good 3 year run out of this. They thought they had a chance a couple of years ago, and swapped Rudy Gay for Shane Battier, to be a glue guy on a championship squad. Didn't work, but it took a lot of nerve to make that move.
Utah - They are drafting 6th in a 4 deep draft, so what do they do? They figure out how to move into the top 4 and get Deron Williams. They only moved up 3 spots, but they were willing to give up another first rounder to get the player they wanted. Last year they take a chance and take on salary and add Kyle Korver. Korver is a role player, but he was the right role player for Utah. They go from being a .500 team to a conference semi-finalist.
Dallas - They believe that they are very close, in a very winnable western conference, so they go all in and take on an aging HOF'er, giving up a young potential star. Did it work? Not so far, and I think in the end it was a mistake, but they didn't sit on their thumb.
Now how much nerve does it take to sign Brand, Lewis, or Wallace? Not an ounce. You have cap space, and you use it on the best available talent you can.
I will give Ainge credit, he was hoping for Oden, didn't get him so he said screw it, I am going all in and it got him a title. I will give Miami credit for trading for Shaq. He was nearing the end, and they went for it and got a ring.
When was the last time Atlanta did something gutsy? They had a chance and they drafted Marvin Williams instead of Chris Paul, they drafted Shelden Williams instead of Brandon Roy, or Rudy Gay. They went with the boring big guy every time.
How about the Wizards? What was their last gutsy move? Signing Arenas this summer? How much nerve did that take.
The Bobcats? They traded their #1 pick for JRich, and then lost there never a year later a sold him for 2 role players.
The Bulls? They had the inside track on Gasol, and wouldn't do it, because they would have to give up Deng and Hinrich. They traded Aldridge for Ty Thomas and Victor Khryapa.
Pacers? They traded their best big man for a PG, to get cap space in a couple of years.
Knicks under Isiah? Well they really made no gutsy moves, and they were horribly managed. Under Donnie Walsh? I will give him and Dantoni credit, at least they are taking a shot at it. That team now sees light at the end of tunnel.
Cav's? OK maybe the trade they did last year bringing in Ben Wallace, and Wally could qualify, but if so just barely.
Nets? 5 or 6 years ago they went for it, and got into the finals twice. Since then they have been playing out the string.
Bucks? are they still a franchise?
Philly? Trading AI for Andre Miller and Joe Smith. I understand their reason, but this was not a gutsy move designed to change the franchise.
