If you ask me, the problems with the training programs for the Iraqi security forces has essentially nothing to do with the number or quality of American trainers assigned to the task. Rather, it’s a mistake to see the problem as primarily one of organizational competence on the part of the security forces. After all, however bad the US-run training program may be, it’s hardly as if Sunni insurgents or Shiite militias have access to some radically better training program. The problems are problems of politics, morale, and motivation. “Iraq’s government has yet to confront the country’s militias,” because the government is dependent on the same political forces and actors who sponsor the militias, not because the police need a better training program.
Kevin Garnett
I agree with Bill Simmons. From a fan’s perspective, it would be good to see Kevin Garnett demand a trade. By the numbers, he’s one of the greatest players of all time, but that contention can’t really be put to the test unless he’s put in a situation with some decent teammates where he can show his stuff at the highest levels. What’s more, the ‘wolves are so mired in crappiness that there’s a strong risk his skills will simply be lost to history — a name future generations of fans won’t even recognize.
The most logical candidate would seem to be the Bulls. Chicago lacks big contracts, except for Ben Wallace, so it’s a bit hard to make the salaries match. That said, I think it works if Chicago gives up PJ Brown’s expiring deal, Tyrus Thomas, Ben Gordon, Mike Sweetney, Luol Deng, and the Knicks’ 2007 pick. That gives Minnesota cap relief, a high draft pick, a top prospect, and a few goodish young players. It leaves the Bulls with what I think would be a contending starting lineup of Wallace, Garnett, Nocioni, Duhon, and Hinrich with Malik Allen, Thabo Sefosha, and Adrian Griffin off the pench. Chicago would presumably need to find a backup point guard somewhere to sign.
