The trading deadline arrives on the evening of Feb. 21. In the next 10 days, countless trade rumors will fill the air. It can be a dangerous time for a team that listens too closely.
"You can't listen to it," veteran guard Tim Hardaway said Monday. "You don't have any control over it, so just keep doing what you're doing or else you'll let it drive you crazy."

The "silly season" can wreck teams.

There is the danger of players allowing themselves to become distracted. There is the possibility of an internal letdown if players expect a deal and nothing happens.

The best course of action at this time, general manager-coach Don Nelson has learned, is no action. He leaves the players alone at this time of the season.