Maybe it's just latent xenophobia, but I'm uneasy about the trend of superstar collusion in the NBA. First Miami, and now New York? ESPN is reporting that Chris Paul wants a trade to the New York Knicks, with ultimate plans of bringing on Carmelo Anthony next season in an effort to match up with the juggernaut Miami Heat.

I'm curious to hear your opinions on this, because I'm really not sure how I feel. My gut reaction is that this is bad. Real bad. Michael Jackson.

What does it say about our so-called superstars? The fact that Jordan and Magic talk about their competitiveness with apparent nostalgia is fairly disconcerting. "A different time."

How so?

The NBA is still the NBA. Winning is still winning.

I think media culture is drastically changing the nature of the NBA, more than any other professional sport. Because it seems the NBA is the only league where image outweighs excellence -- the appearance of something holds more water than the thing itself.

Which is why LeBron, as SVG joked, will win league MVP every season for the remainder of his career.

ESPN's NBA section carried a headline this morning that all-but doubted Kevin Durant's abilities. "Is Kevin Durant enough to carry team USA?" He's only the reigning NBA scoring champion at, what, 22? And arguably one of the most competitive players in the league. Maybe if he'd made a bigger deal out of signing his contract extension ESPN would take him more seriously.

Something is wrong here, and I'm not sure what it is. But it concerns me how impressionable these young players are, and how willing they are to gang up rather than pursue personal greatness.

Hate to say it, but Dwight Howard does not strike me as a kid who will be immune to this -- on the contrary, I bet he feels like he's missing out on all the fun, to some extent.

Jordan and Magic are probably right. It is a different time. But what does that say about the state of the league?

As much as I love Chris Paul, his attitude doesn't fill me with confidence. Orlando would easily be the best place for him to play, his best chance to win an NBA title. Which is why his decision to put the Knicks first is so telling. He'd rather stack the deck than be one of the best players on a well-constructed team with a ton of home grown chemistry.

I don't know...what do you guys think?