What do you all think happened to our "willingness to play as a team" that Pax is asking about? Why were the same guys who did it for a couple years not doing it all of a sudden?

How would you answer that question if Pax put it to you as an outside observer?

One answer I'd give is that Ben Gordon was, given the circumstances, pretty darn good. You, Pax, publicly stated there were problems with him starting (ever) simply because of his height. Um, every season up to this one, Pax, he's performed better as a starter and your team has performed better with him as a starter. Pax, I don't see how telling a guys who's clearly one of your five best players 'he's too short to start' makes him very willing to take one for the team. How are the 30 minutes a game he played as coming from the bench any different from the 30 minutes a game he'd play as a starter?

Now, if you think Gordon simply isn't good enough to be on your team, then by all means, get rid of him. He obviously is limited by his height, no disagreement there. But limited or not, he's going to be just as limited coming off the bench or starting. But by publicly pigeon holeing him, you've damaged his value around the league and artificially set a barrier for him. What sort of incentive does he have to work hard for you if it'll never get him in the starting lineup, or vis-a-vis that decision, will never get him to the all-star game or recognition as more than a "good sixth man". Nobody wants to have their boss talk about you the way you've talked about Ben Gordon, Pax. So don't be surprised if he wants to go somewhere where he feels he at least has an honest chance to get as far as his talents will take him.

Coincidentally, Gordon actually shot less per 36 minutes than he did last year, turned the ball over less as well, and saw his usage rate decline. If you're looking for people who've been selfish, you probably shouldn't look in the direction of the guy you jerked around but who, despite that, shut up and did what he was asked.