Q-Rich Addition Is A Sign In The Right Direction

My initial reaction to the Mark Blount-Quentin Richardson deal was a hearty sigh.

The first thing that sprung to mind was Richardson's public dispute with Stephon Marbury just last season.

Then I recalled a heated confrontation he had with Pierce in a game once that lead to both players getting ejected, and Richardson screaming at Pierce to meet him in the back (available on Youtube).

So, yeah, it wasn't love at first sight. And I think the other three teams that traded him just this past summer might (might) have said the same thing.

Here is the bottom line of this deal: He is an expiring contract. And that means, all eyes are still being focused on making the big moves next summer as opposed to making futile pre-emptive "I wish upon a shooting Wade" maneuvers (like picking up Carlos Bamboozler) this summer. 

In terms of the immediate effects of this move, and let me be blunt, I haven't see a turd as big as Mark Blount since I last saw Jurassic Park.

Thank you. OK, thank you again.

On the flip side, Richardson is a volatile personality, but he is also longtime friends with Wade, and that will hopefully reduce his overall terror alert level.

And on the bright side, can a team ever have enough tough players?

I can still recall with a slightly lesser feeling of indignation how Josh Smith attempted a 360 dunk in a playoff game Miami was getting blown out in last season.

Did I want someone on the team to commit a flagarent against him after he did that? You better believe I did!!

And maybe Richardson would have been that guy.

In any case, I won't say I like this move, but I will say that the actual benefits do seem to outweigh the foreseeable consequences.

Now, about that Allen Iverson....