Feb 27, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson (25) shoots over Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. The Hawks won 102-91. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

“The only thing that should surprise us is that we can still be surprised.” La Rochefoucauld

Consider the pressure Utah’s GM Dennis Lindsey was under prior to the trade deadline. The Jazz have two quality big men in Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, both of whom are on expiring contracts. His team is in danger of missing the playoffs in the NBA’s tough Western Conference. If Lindsey does nothing about trading either or both of Millsap and Jefferson, he increases his chances of a playoff berth, which keeps his owner and fans happy. He also has a big chunk of salary cap space at season’s end. However, if both of these players leave the Jazz, there’s a gaping hole in his roster. Fans and the press are cranky because Lindsey didn’t turn one or both of them into assets via trade while he could. It’s an NBA GM’s version of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t”. Presumably his ownership didn’t order him to make a deal, otherwise he would have. But what if he did receive such an order, like Sacramento Kings’ President Geoff Petrie must have done?

I make that assumption because nothing else save temporary insanity or naked greed can explain the Kings’ donation of Thomas Robinson to the Houston Rockets (I know there were other players involved; Robinson, the #5 pick in last year’s draft, was the big prize and surely the only player of interest to Houston). The press has quite properly flamed Kings’ management and its ownership for this travesty of a trade, which does nothing to improve the Kings, now or in the future. [20 second timeout: David Stern killed the Chris-Paul-to-the-Lakers trade in 2011, so why didn't he squash this one?] The Maloofs, who are just about finished in Sacramento as team owners, apparently grab another million bucks with this trade, while poking Kings’ fans in the eye. Kings’ GM Petrie may well have wanted to resign on the spot when he was ordered to undertake this mockery of a deal. Houston GM Daryl Morey probably couldn’t believe his luck. (“Hi, Geoff, it’s Daryl. What would it take to get Thomas Robinson from you?” “Hmmm….how about 3 guys on your roster who can be proven to have pulses?”)

Feb 19, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings power forward Thomas Robinson (0) drives in against San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw (33) during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Rod Thorn was the Nets’ GM who fleeced Raps’ GM Rob Babcock out of Vince Carter in 2004. It was public knowledge that Carter wanted out, and Babcock wasn’t receiving offers anywhere close to equal value. Thorn has since admitted he low-balled Babcock and was astonished that his offer was accepted.

My point is this: every day GMs call each other to offer their rowboat for the other guy’s nuclear submarine – and once in a great while, his counterpart says Yes. There is no such thing  as an impossible trade.

Brian Boake is a co-editor for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.

December 16, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) looks to make a shot after getting by Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

For the second straight game, a surprising name led the Raps in scoring. On his way to 24 points, Alan Anderson buried 3-balls, made all 9 of his free throws, & provided the clinching and-1 bucket as the Raps held off the Rockets.

The Man of the Match, as they say over ‘ome, was the evergreen Jose Calderon. We’re getting used to him piling up double-doubles, but to add 10 rebounds to his 18 points & 14 assists elevated him to a triple-double, the second of his career. Jeremy Lin was expected to be a handful for the defensively challenged elder statesman of Toronto, but Calderon smothered his opposite number at Point Guard. Lin managed a paltry 7 points & 2 assists.

Q1 started out all Raps, & finished all Rox. Houston threw the ball away several times, & didn’t hit the scoreboard for 4+ minutes, while the Raps went up 12 on Jonas Valanciunas’ foul line jumper. The Raps couldn’t manage a bucket for the last 3 minutes, & the Rox starting hitting 3s to end leading by 2.

In Q2 the fans enjoyed a Raptors 12-0 run, keyed by a pair of 3s from John Lucas (finally!) & more Rox turnovers. However, in a replay of Q1, the Raps offense dried up late, & Houston pulled back to a half-time tie.

Ed Davis emerged from the shadows in Q3, & was the open & grateful beneficiary of some superb Calderon passes. He pounded them through, & added a couple of jumpers to score all 13 of his points. James Harden, however, couldn’t be stopped on his drives to the basket. He was constantly being fouled, & made the Raps pay, going 14/15 from the stripe. Harden’s 28 led all scorers.

The Raps were leading by 6 going into Q4, which turned out to be one of the most exciting 12 minutes we’ve seen in some time. Anderson stroked 2 of his 3 3-balls, & got to the stripe. He scored 15 of the Raps’ 26 Q4 points. Terrence Ross missed 2 FTs which could had salted away the game, & the Rox kept pushing, turning a 9-point deficit into 2 with 17 seconds to play. Carlos Delfino dove to foul, barely, Anderson, who was trying to dribble out the game. Alan hit the FTs, & later scored a reverse layup while being tackled by Toney Douglas. Cue the happy music.

Apart from emergency starter Marcus Morris [a player to keep an eye on], Harden was the only Rocket who impressed. Omer Asik collected 13 rebounds, but appeared to be fatigued early. He launched an air ball from the stripe, causing no end of cat calls from the Raps’ faithful, who continue to turn out in meaningful numbers.

The Raps visit Cleveland on Tuesday.

Brian Boake is a staff writer for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.