NBA’s Anthony Davis hypocrisy on full display last night

Jan 17, 2019; London, ENG; NBA commissioner Adam Silver gives a pre game press conference before the game between the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards at The O2 Arena
Photo credit USA TODAY Sports

The hypocrisy from the NBA just keeps coming as they bungle their handling of the Anthony Davis situation in New Orleans.

The association, and the Pelicans, confirmed that the NBA is forcing the Pelicans to play Anthony Davis despite his trade request.  Davis has been an albatross for the organization on the court, and a pariah off of it, the past few weeks but Commissioner Adam Silver believes what’s best for “the integrity of the game” is forcing the Pelicans to put Davis on the court every night regardless of the damage it does to the Pelicans franchise.

It’s been easy to dispel the myth that the NBA treats all 30 franchises equally, regardless of market size or historical prestige.  Look at how they continually either turn a blind eye, or issue a proverbial slap on the wrist, to Lakers president Magic Johnson while he flaunts his disregard for tampering rules.  Johnson has done it a lot.  A whole lot.  He just won't stop.

Last night the Golden State Warriors played the Portland Trail Blazers in a nationally televised game on ESPN.  It was a matchup of the Western Conference’s first and fourth place teams, certainly qualifying of the subjective “marquee matchup” moniker.  Yet the Warriors sidelined three of their key players – Shaun Livingston, DeMarcus Cousins, and Andre Iguodala – with their only explanation being it was a night off for rest for the trio.

So the Warriors rested Igoudala, Livingston & Cousins (all who were healthy) last night in a nationally televised game on ESPN.I assume the @NBA will contact their front office & force them to play those guys every night from here on out for the "integrity of the game," right?

— Seth Dunlap (@sethdunlap) February 14, 2019

The NBA won’t bat an eye at the rest Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gave his players last night, nor should they.  That is an organizational decision that should be beyond any influence from any league executives.  Golden State was summarily pummeled by the Blazers 129-107, but the Warriors should have every right to do what they believe is best for long-term organizational health and success.

Last night once again exposes the atrocious double standards the NBA has always had for their premier, big market franchises.  Magic Johnson can tamper.  So can LeBron James.  The Warriors can rest whoever they want.  The Pelicans, however, must bend the knee to King Silver as they prepare to enrich whatever big market franchise they find as worthwhile suitors for a Davis trade this summer.

Basketball is fun.  The NBA, right now, is not.  It’s become a corporate shell-game where the consistent losers are fans, and franchises, in middle-America.