***Let me first preface this post with a warning.  This is not a shot across the bow at a “Rival” site.  This is not meant as a burn for fan speculation.  I respect and enjoy the folks referenced in this post and I’ll continue to read their stuff as I hope they’ll continue to read mine.  This isn’t a pin to burst a bubble of a fan base.  I’m a dude writing my thoughts, take them for what they are worth***

The word “source” is thrown around in the journalism community like “amazing” amongst teen/twenty-something girls. (How was the South of France? “Amazing!” How was your last bowel movement? “Amazing!”) What is a source after all? Just someone who tells you something or the beginning of whatever, information, water, oil, etc. “Source” is a bit ridiculous, it could be anyone. “Hey, I was walking by MJ’s office and heard him say……” “Rod Higgins threw away a scrap of paper away that said……”

Let’s be real, be real real son, even when there is legit information, things that get out to people like Mike Cranston of the AP or even, dare I say, Rick Bonnell of the Observer, they aren’t 100% until there is a press release or an official quote, written, audio or video from the involved parties. I didn’t go to journalism school but I know how this stuff works. Best example ever: the missed/cancelled trade between Charlotte and Toronto. Tyson Chandler was telling whoever would listen “I’m going to Toronto.” Well Ty, sorry to tell ya, you won’t be making them Canadian Dollars, you’re getting the American Dollars down in Dallas. It ain’t over til it’s over.

Now, I’ve reached out to a few execs and a few agents. You ask these guys a question they give you an answer. It may be “I can’t tell you anything” as Tyrus Thomas’s agent told me. It might be “That claim is completely bogus” as I heard recently. It could be a real pearl like I got from Raymond Felton’s agent, while not a complete blindside it was good to get it from the horse’s mouth “We are moving forward with the understanding Charlotte does not want to spend any more money, Raymond has enjoyed playing in Charlotte.”

I either have the emails or the person wouldn’t deny I said it.  What’s the point of a quote otherwise?  I don’t know about sources, I don’t have any.  I talk to the people I think will help me spread whatever word or answer whatever questions the readership and most importantly, that I have.  I get excited just like anyone else. But until you have someone willing to say “this person told me this and I have proof” be guarded. Especially if they won’t even say who their sources are.

I don’t play stick and carrot.  Smack someone over the head or bait them into thinking the way you think.  Not my style. It reminds me of this from, dare I say, The Sports Guy, Bill Simmons who anyone who has read this post for more than a year knows that I despise.  3. Stephen A. Smith wins the Woodward & Bernstein Award for reporting last week that Wade/LeBron/Bosh in Miami was “done.” I thought it was ridiculous. How could it be “done”? Bosh and LeBron were committing to an owner, president and coach without meeting any of them?

My guess at the time: Smith got word that Miami was in the lead, took it and ran with it, then hoped he was right. If he was right, he became the big winner of the summer of 2010. If he was wrong, he could always claim that he WAS right, but that something got screwed up and things changed. I busted his chops a few times on Twitter about it; when he reported one week later that Bosh might be heading for Houston, it sure seemed like Smith was talking out of his butt like Ace Ventura. But if LeBron announces Miami tonight? Then Smith is vindicated and I’m giving myself the byline “William J. Simmons” in my next column as an apology. Although …

All I know for sure is, I asked Director of Basketball Communications, BJ Evans if there was a “cone of silence.”  Here is his response:  No such Cone of Silence, not quite sure what they mean by that”

When asked about a 4 step plan or whatever has been proposed:  ” no such 4 step plan…they are doing reaction type stuff, much like talk radio…”

Skeptics may say, “BigCat, of course BJ said ‘there’s nothing to see here.’  Why would he reveal their plans?”  My question is, why would you, cautious reader, question BJ Evans and me and not “sources.”  The simple answer is unbridled optimism, which is awesome, we need that as a fan base.  Something great has to be happening over there I know it.  But “reporting” and rumormongering need to be held with a certain level of restraint amongst more than fanatical fans.

For the record, I hope there is a huge trade and all of our wildest dreams come true.