Let me preface this by saying, I don’t find anything wrong with it. It’s a vital part of any business to react to and direct their consumer’s perception. To not do so would be an egregious oversight of any profit seeking venture.
With that out of the way, do you find the most recent article by Marc Stein (ESPN) recounting the recent attempt by the Mavs to acquire Carlos Boozer from the Utah Jazz a little curious?
Rumors can start by any of a number of means, but this one seems far from unintentional. For me, I see two blatant possibilities behind its conception.
1. If the story was “leaked” by the Mavs: This is meant to say to the fans, “Hey, at least we’re trying. We’re not sitting on our hands as some would like to believe”.
2. If the story was “leaked” by the Jazz: This is meant to say to the league, “Hey, we’re not giving Boozer away. If you want him, you’re going to have to give up talent, not just savings.”
Either way, it’s a ritual in the guiding of perception. I’ve already seen/heard/read a few comments by our local MFFLs (Mavs Fan For Life) along these lines. And, the article itself (find the URL at the end of this post) could support the position that the Jazz let this slip for the sake of those who would offer for Boozer in the comments made by their GM, Kevin O’Connor, who clearly states they are looking for more than financial relief in a deal for Boozer.
This leads me to one other point, the Najera deal. It appears the Mavs put this deal on hold as they pursued Boozer, or as Mike Fisher, of Dallasbasketball.com states, maybe it was even a part of the Boozer deal at its inception. Either way, once the Boozer deal collapsed, the Najera deal was completed.
With this story now surfacing, I have one question and would be curious to hear the answer. Did the MBT (Mavs Brain Trust – a title given to the Mav’s decision makers locally) misjudge the fan response to this deal?
Given the timing of this story (which could be merely coincidental, due to the timing of when Gooden’s deal became fully guaranteed), I’d say it is a possibility, though a remote one. Still, an interesting thought.
Perhaps they thought fans would have a positive reaction to the homecoming of a player who was once a favorite. Perhaps they’ve noticed the stale nature of many home crowds recently, and felt this was a way to try to liven a fanbase that seems less than ecstatic about a roster vastly superior to last year’s…..as most still view this as one that comes up short in comparison to the Lakers and a couple of the Eastern Conference powers.
Perhaps this, putting this failed trade out for public consumption, was a move to change the unforeseen negative perception spawned when this team gave up young, athletic potential in Humphries, in exchange for a player widely viewed as far passed his best days, and who’s ceiling lies far beneath that of the player given away for him.
Perhaps, this is an attempt to save face with a public they failed to accurately assess. Or, maybe they had nothing to do with the story coming out. For me, just an interesting thought.
And, just perhaps, if they do see this as a misunderstanding of their fanbase, it will tell them that money saving deals with shallow attempts at window dressing without on court substance is not enough to fill the empty seats, or raise the volume on those that remain filled?
As is the case with every sports team, the best way to put fans in the stands, and to get them watching the games on television, to check the upcoming schedule and alter their own calendar, is to give them both the confidence that the team is a true contender for a Championship, and to let them know that the team's management is dedicated to nothing but that goal.
Does the "leaking" of this deal help you, the fan, feel that way?
In my own opinion, the fan reaction was probably not big in the consideration of this deal, which leaves little room for their misjudging of it. More likely than not, the deal for Najera was motivated by finances, among other things we aren't privy to, and the fans were not really considered until a deal for Boozer didn't go down.....and then, why not let your fans know you're trying.
In the end, it's just an interesting, though very likely irrelevant, tangent I decided to follow for a moment. This could otherwise be known as a waste of time....but what speculation (or does the word "rumor" sell better?) isn't?
URL for Stein's Article: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/12243/utah-tells-dallas-boozer-better-than-tax-relief
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