Wow

Matt wrote:
> ikrushlots.RemoveThis@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > I read it just fine the first time. If memory serves, you placed the
> > blame squarely on McHale's big shoulders, since he was the GM.
>
> It was his fault. He was the baskeball mind of the group. You don't
> blame Taylor because he isn't necessarily supposed to know better. He
> hires people to counsel him on that kind of thing.
>
> McHale either didn't, or counseled him abysmally. Either way, the Joe
> Smith fiasco was his fault. This is an entirely different situation. I
> understand that in your mind you've worked them out to be the exact
> same, but they're just not.
>
> Matt

It's not exactly the same. However, if credit can be shared, so can
blame. In the Joe Smith fiasco, we have an owner that took over
negotiations. McHale's authority was usurped by his boss. Even if
Mchale was wanted to do the secret deal, which I suspect he did, it was
Taylor who did it. That doesn't exonerate McHale, but it sure does
lend itself to dividing blame.

If you want something more analogous, should we share blame for
McHale's bad picks, such as Ebi and Avery? Nope. Just as I feel he
should get credit for Smith, he should get full blame for Ebi and
Avery, regardless of who on the staff scouted those guys. The buck
stops with McHale when it comes to drafting players.

ikrushlots.RemoveThis@aol.com wrote:
>
> It's not exactly the same. However, if credit can be shared, so can
> blame.

You can't blame McHale's negligence on anyone but McHale. Sorry,
there's just no other place to put it.

> McHale's authority was usurped by his boss.

Prove it.

> Even if
> Mchale was wanted to do the secret deal, which I suspect he did, it was
> Taylor who did it.

Because the person he paid to advise him on basketball matters failed
to do so. McHale was negligent in telling his owner that "No, we can't
do this in writing. That's a bad idea."

That's McHale's job. He didn't do it. Case closed.

Matt