I sent a few thoughts to Pearl via PM earlier today, and I figured I'd throw them out here so you can have at'em. In brief, it occurred to me that there is a possible framework of the events on Wednesday that actually makes more sense on some levels and--much as I hate to do this--frees Deron of much of the guilt. As follows:
This is a bit ethereal and the like, and I personally don't believe it (primarily because I enjoy the model where my Deron-is-a-giant-douche belief system is confirmed), but it seems to work on some levels.
End of first half, Deron tries to run play Sloan asks, sees something in defense, tries different approach or play.
Sloan confronts him at halftime.
Deron tries to defend himself.
Sloan, worn down by quite a bit of losing and a less-than-good relationship with his PG, loses his **** at Deron, who is actually not the instigator.
Either realizes he's losing it on his own, or is told by staff that he's losing it, or is firmly told to knock it off by KOC and associates. Decides to retire, and perhaps even is prompted to retire.
Would explain why we're not hearing any more details of what really happened (don't want to stab the guy in the back as he's leaving) and makes it where most of the people interviewed are actually telling the truth, i.e. it wasn't really Deron's fault.
Another point in favor of that argument was his farewell press conference. I know he was upset, but he seemed far more upset than someone who had just decided that the game had passed him by. But then again, I'm of the opinion that he stayed with the team for so long because he needed basketball more than it needed him, so it could just be normal. Other point in favor is that the initial reports out of Wednesday night made it sound as if there were a conflict between KOC and Sloan--including a counter-report saying that it was just "one of the things that happens in the course of a season--and it's still a possibility that the closed-door meeting was more intense than we think. Also gives credence to KOC's very harsh denunciations of the ultimatum theory, since his main goal is protecting his prize draft choice. And finally, the general sense in the locker room after Sloan's retirement--from reports on Twitter, that most accurate of sources--has been relief/excitement. Matches a story of an increasingly unbalanced dictator more than their douche-captain pushing the guy out.
This is a bit ethereal and the like, and I personally don't believe it (primarily because I enjoy the model where my Deron-is-a-giant-douche belief system is confirmed), but it seems to work on some levels.