Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
No ergo,
it was tongue in cheek sarcasm, but like everything else, it sailed right over your head.
Just so you don't mistake where I am coming from...I wish we didn't have to spend one dime nor lose one of our soldiers. However, we have no choice. This stuff has been going on for years and years in the Middle East. Now it has spilled onto our land. Actually it started under Slick Willie's watch but, he didn't take care of business. Maybe the first World Trade Center bombings back in the 90's wasn't enough to get him to do anything. He had several opportunities to take osama bin laden out and he didn't do it. So now we have the people who are willing to take care of business. Nobody wants it but, we have NO choice, no matter how the liberal dems try to spin it.
If I could have my wishes come true, we'd all live in a Utopia. But, again...that ain't reality, now is it! The problem with most liberals is the fact that the Facts scare the hell out of them.
Colt
Holliday hoping to make Chiefs forget about failure to sign Douglas
ADAM TEICHER, The Kansas City Star
RIVER FALLS, Wis. - Defensive end Vonnie Holliday has plenty of positive qualities, but there's one thing missing from his game that gives the Chiefs a touch of regret:
He's not Hugh Douglas.
Douglas was the premier pass-rushing end available in this year's free-agent market and would have filled the Chiefs' most pressing need. But he signed with Jacksonville, so the Chiefs took Holliday, a superior all-round player, as a consolation prize.
Taking no slight in this was Holliday. Rushing the passer wasn't his strength in his five seasons with Green Bay, but since he's only 27, there's plenty of time for him to make the Chiefs eventually regard their failure to sign Douglas as a stroke of luck.
"At the time, Hugh was considered the No. 1 defensive end on the market and I was considered No. 2," Holliday said. "That's the way the game works. It works off sacks. Hugh certainly has the sacks to back that up.
"My game is an all-round game. I'm a run-stopper. My pass-rush game is certainly something that has to come along. It's something I'm working on, and I have no doubts that it will come along."
Rather than pin their pass-rush hopes on one player, as they would have done with Douglas, the Chiefs plan to also get sacks from linemen Eric Hicks and Ryan Sims and linebackers Shawn Barber and Scott Fujita.
But, as the right end who attacks the quarterback's blind side, Holliday will need to produce.
"All he needs to do is get (three) sacks, and it's a 50-percent gain," Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said, referring to last year's right end Duane Clemons and his two sacks. "I'm not being sarcastic, but we didn't get any production out of that position. We haven't got a lot out of it for two years because Duane Clemons was always coming off injury."
Holliday also hasn't been the most durable of players. He missed significant portions of three seasons with the Packers, including last year, when he sat out six games because of pectoral muscle and knee injuries.
When he played, Holliday was a consistent producer, particularly against the run.
"When you play against him, you've got to be ready on every down," said Chiefs tackle Willie Roaf, a former opponent of Holliday's. "Some guys I play against, in the running game they really can't do a lot. You don't have to worry about them on a running play. He's not that kind of player. He's strong against the run, but he's a good pass rusher, too. He can get upfield on you, or he's got the power to bull-rush you."
That wasn't necessarily the type of end the Chiefs wanted when free-agency began, which is why Douglas, 31, was their first choice.
"He's a more defined pass rusher, and that was our first thought," Vermeil said. "But it didn't work out, and we ended up with a good replacement and a younger football player -- maybe one with potential to grow."
The Chiefs initially dismissed Holliday as a candidate to replace Clemons. But after losing the chance to sign Douglas, they studied Holliday intently and found more to like.
Although Holliday has never been a top pass rusher, he averaged more than six sacks per season for the Packers. He sacked Buffalo's Drew Bledsoe five times in a game last year.
"Buffalo was one of those days when I was in a zone," Holliday said. "It was unbelievable. The guys in the secondary were covering their receivers and the guys in the defensive front -- it was a race to the quarterback that day. Bledsoe was holding the ball, and that helped, too.
"It was just one of those dream days."
The Chiefs took that game as evidence of Holliday's pass-rush potential. They liked Holliday's history as a winner, and, as Roaf noted, his reputation for giving maximum effort on every play.
"I see a consistent work ethic on every snap," Vermeil said. "I see a guy that finishes plays even though it's not a full scrimmage, going from one side of the field to the other to touch the ball carrier 25 yards away, sprinting."
Holliday's best season as a pass rusher came as a rookie in 1998, when he had eight sacks playing the end opposite future Hall of Famer Reggie White.
The Chiefs have nobody like White, but in Hicks, Sims and John Browning, they suddenly have a wealth of linemen with pass-rushing ability. Hicks had a career-high 14 sacks in 2000 and nine last season.
And that has Holliday dreaming of some Hugh Douglaslike numbers.
"This is the first time in my career since Reggie White that I've played opposite a high-quality defensive end," Holliday said. "In Green Bay, Joe Johnson came in last year, but it took time for him to learn the defense and then he got hurt. So that's certainly an advantage in coming here.
"I should be around the double-digit mark in sacks. In this defense, playing right end, that's something I'm capable of. That's expected of me."
Old_Drummerman, it is 9pm here in Texas and it never made it to 80 degrees today. It is 75 degrees outside as I type. Crazy, huh!
Colt
ergo.....
You really aren't very good at sarcasm. You might want to try a different angle.
You say I have almost forgotten Afghanistan...???? How so?
You say you can't quite get your mind around the Realities of Irag and Afghanistan....ergo, at times, I'm not sure you could get your mind around a marshmallow. All I ever see you do is whine and cry. When are any of you liberals going to come up with something ORIGINAL, instead of just ALWAYS complaining? I would really like to know. Just how would you propose to have handled things had you been President (***chuckle, chuckle***) on Sept. 11, 2001??? Would you have gone out and saved a whale? Have some college kids build a sand castle on top of you while you were laying on the beach, hoping like hell that the nightmare would just go away? Go to the forrest and try to hug two trees in hopes that 9-11-01 would be erased from your mind, permanently? What, ergo???? What would you have done? Second guessing and hindsight seem to be the liberal dems favorite tools. Makes you people think you are real whiz kids (in your own minds at least).
ergo, if any of you liberals don't like America and the FREEDOM we enjoy, there is always Cuba or Iran. Or heck, Afghanistan would be perfect since you seem to have all the answers. Last time I checked we still had Brave young men and women over there fighting the taliban and al qaeda.
Yes, I do believe you are defending the terrorist. It comes across in your posts. Just like the first time I had ever heard of you...you ran over to Matt trying to get me and my posts removed. Cowardice, ergo, cowardice! Yes, you defend the terrorist...no getting around it. Maybe that is why you find it impossible to say anything good about America. If you don't have the money, I will buy you a One-Way ticket to Cuba, if you'd like. <That is sarcasm, ergo.>
Colt
One thing's for sure, Ksquared.....
I sure as hell ain't going to pull a Kobe! HARRR! Actually, my wife helps wash the vehicles. We still squirt each other with water for the fun of it. Nothing like a nice, wet, t-shirt! OK, I'll go wash my mouth out!!! I have to admit, she still looks GREAT in bluejean cutoffs and tank top. :>)
Colt
Justin, you gotta wonder about them Northern gals. For the life of me, I can't imagine someone turning down my offer to let them wash my vehicles. Heck, I'd even let them mow the grass if they wanted. <g>
Colt
Don't even......
try to do the math. Like on the NBA board we were talking about Wilt Chamberlain's claim to having sex with over 20,000 different women. Do the math on that one...LOL He would have had to start having sex before he was born and still having it to this day, even though he is dead. Maybe he died trying to reach 20,000. LOL I can only think about the Mountain Lion's 80 times a day in my dreams. And like Wilt, I'd be dead too. :>)
Colt, the 79 times a day man!
Now you didn't mention the 48#'s of Charcoal to Justin and me. That puts a whole new slant on things. That would have equated to you mowing our lawns as well. :>)
Colt, full steam ahead!
TH....
Cold Yuengling Lager ... I can dig it. <g>
The lake 30 miles long and 170 feet deep and set in a mountain valley...OK, then do you have a 'Nessie' lurking about in the water? Pennsylvanian's probably call the Lochness Monster by another name. LOL
Colt
ergo, death is not cool, no matter who or what. But, sometimes it is a reality that you libbers don't comprehend.
And what the hell do french fries have to do with the Hussein boys?
UN??????????? What UN????????? 12 years and 17 sanctions later and like the democrats, not a damn thing done! All talk and no action!
Have I checked in Afghanistan lately? *****No, but I do plan on firing my Lear Jet up tomorrow morning and doing a fly-by. Maybe take some photos, land the plane and buy a few Custom Made AK-47's, take the 4x4 All Terrain out and do some mountain climbing, buy you some Opium, and then hi-tail it out of there! In the meantime I read the news and sometimes watch the clueless jerks on the boob-tube babbling away. Kind of reminds me of you dems. You know, the ol' head in the sand trick...pick out a tree and hug it real tight with eyes closed real shut and stick your liberal head deep, deep, deep in the sand.*****
Taliban is regrouping, 5 of our soldiers were wounded there yesterday. Bush wants to send an additional Billion for aid. *****ergo, enemies aka the bad guys, have always regrouped from the beginning of time. Even in the Wild, Wild West, the man with the badge and posse could kill a few of the bank robbers out on Main Street @ High Noon, and within days the gang would regroup and come back into town and give the good guys fits again. You see, ergo, just because you liberals close your eyes and hug a tree, the problem doesn't go away. You have to address the problem and take care of it as best you can. I think most of you liberals have long forgotten 9-11-01. Conservatives haven't. If America (which was attacked, btw) doesn't take care of the terrorist, then who the Hell is? America can stay the Land of the Free or we can go the way liberals want it to go........downhill, just like the Republic of Kalifornia has gone. I also realize that our Brave young men and women are in danger and some have lost their life, BUT, they, unlike you, are doing what they have chosen to do, PROTECT AMERICA's FREEDOM!!! Seriously, ergo, if you'd take your head out of the sand, or elsewhere, long enough to face Reality, you might understand this dangerous world we live in today. We can sit back and give each other the Peace Sign and hope the terrorist will go away, but, you know what, ergo????? They will not go away, no matter how hard you wish them to do so. Once you show weakness, you are dead in the water. It is a FACT that without America stepping up to the plate, within another 2-3 years the terrorist will take over the world. A vial here and a vile there and cities like New York, Washington D.C., LA, Houston, Seattle, will go bye-bye and everything in America will shut down. Ports and airport terminals will be shut down, jobs in exporting and importing then will be lost, and before you know it, the domino effect will take place and nearly everyone in America and the world will be out of work, including farmers and ranchers who provide you your food. Gasoline refiners and power plants will be blown up and you won't be able to drive in to see the doctor or be able to heat and cool your home, not to mention lights and bathroom facilities......we'll be back to the days of the caveman, assuming any of us survive.*****
Suppose we didn't have this war and we spend all these billions or even half these billions in Afghanistan? *****O', ergo, wake up and smell the coffee. This is the Real World where Reality is the factor of our daily lives. You liberals do understand Reality, don't you? Never mind, I already know the answer to that. The Middle East is way over stocked with terrorist. Iraq and Afghanistan or Realities, ergo. There is no supposing to be done. You can suppose all you want, I can't. I live in the Real World.
Bottom line, ergo, is I don't want or even like war. I wish there were no terrorist but, there are thousands of them. Maybe even millions. We cannot afford to be lax. Terrorist HAVE to be eliminated, whether we condone killing or not. It is a Fact of Life in today's world. I don't like death anymore than you do, ergo, whether they be Iraqi's or American's, but, we didn't start any of this. I think you need to go look up osama bin laden and his buddies and question him. I just don't understand why you keep defending these terrorist, ergo. From our first encounter with each other, here on iHub, you get upset with those of us who want to do away with the terrorist. Why is this, ergo? Care to explain why you are ALWAYS on the side of the terrorist?
And you ask at what cost? *****At the Cost of FREEDOM, ergo!!!!! Yes, ergo, my post is laced with sarcasm, just like yours was. Take it like a man and stop your silly, childish, nit-picking!!!*****
Colt
Enjoy Home Depot. You got that right, I know NO chicken speak. LOL I be a Mountain Lion, I wish!!! Sex 80 times a day...ya gotta love it. Some where along the way I think the Good Lord, messed up. Why give a Mountain Lion the ability to have sex 80+ times a day? I need to have me a talk with the Man. LOL
Colt in awe of Mountain Lion's.
Jumping Jack Flash: Jagger at 60
Fri Jul 25, 8:00 PM ET
E! Online
By Joal Ryan
If you were uncertain of the definition of "sexagenarian," you may have thought Mick Jagger's been one for ages.
But, no, the legendary rock 'n' roll Lothario doesn't join the group's ranks until Saturday. When he turns 60.
Let the International House of Pancakes discounts begin...
Jagger and his Rolling Stones mates, including fellow sexagenarian Charlie Watts, will mark the occasion with a private, if paparazzi-stalked birthday bash somewhere in the capital of the Czech Republic. (The band's on a layover there, scheduled to play to 60,000 Sunday night at Letna Park.)
Details of the Prague party are under wraps. An aide to former Czech president Vaclav Havel told the Associated Press that even V.I.P. invitees, like Havel, won't be told the location of the celebration until the last minute.
Speculation in Prague reportedly has the shindig going down at either the local British Embassy, or the local Four Seasons.
Apparently the local Shoney's is booked.
Which is too bad because as a newly minted 60-year-old, Jagger will be eligible (at participating locations) for $1 in savings at the salad bar, as well as a 50-cent markdown on entrees.
According to SeniorDiscounts.com, age is definitely on the rocker's side now.
Once he crosses the sexagenarian threshold, the much-traveled Rolling Stone can get 10 percent off cookies at Mrs. Fields, 10 percent off monthly fees at Bally Total Fitness, and two dollars off trims at Supercuts. (He's been eligible to request the senior discount at IHOP since age 55.)
Is Jagger really worthy of all these considerations?
"I definitely think so," says David Smidt of SeniorDiscounts.com. "He's contributed a lot to the community. It's about time he starts getting his discounts."
Jagger has paid his dues for than 40 years as frontman of the Stones.
Born July 26, 1943, in Dartford, England, the future jet-setter was a middle-class lad at the London School of Economics when he correctly surmised he could get more money and way more girls by becoming a rock star, instead of, say, an economist.
The Stones were formed in 1962, and broke in 1964 with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." The money, girls, wives, ex-wives, children and grandchildren followed, as did the hits: "Paint It Black," "Let's Spend the Night Together" and "Gimme Shelter" to name just three, because if we named all of them we'd be eligible for the Shoney's discount by the time we finished.
Jagger and crew are currently working the European leg of the "Forty Licks" world tour, a relentless schedule that'll keep them checking into fancy hotels across the old continent through September. Next week, they'll take a brief break--for another show--a benefit concert aimed to boost spirits, and tourism, in SARS (news - web sites)-tainted Toronto.
While he's occasionally freelanced as a solo act, Jagger remains the band's biggest booster.
"You have to perform good shows, look good and have good songs, no matter how old you are. And we do all that," he was quoted as telling London's Sun last month.
Letting his codgerdom show a bit, Jagger complained in the same article that whippersnapper Justin Timberlake (news) was a retread. "Every single move he does is stolen," Jagger said.
Jagger need not be defensive about Timberlake's age, or lack thereof. Timberlake may have fewer wrinkles, but Jagger can score free coffee at McDonald's.
And once Glimmer Twin Keith Richards (news) hits the Big 6-0 in December? Watch out.
Ksquared and OneBgg, I saw Dick Morris on TV the other day and he was saying the 9 idiots now running for the democratic party are doing so badly, that Hillary, beats them all either together or separately. She is still pretty far behind President Bush, but, Morris said if the unknown 9 don't start doing better, the powers that run the communist, errrr, I mean democratic party will try hard to get Hillary to run. He said she'd need to make a decision by this October and have everything in place. I don't think it matters either way as the socialist, errrr, I mean democratic party are so out of touch with America that they'd be better off running Cuba or the Republic of Kalifornia. Oh wait, the Republic of Kalifornia is already being run by a democrat......and they are BANKRUPT!!! LOL
Colt
Original, just wait till you see the videos of the sons partying on Heroine and such and listen to the tales told by Uday's Executioner. On FOX this morning they were telling about college kids thrown to the Lions and in one bite, the Lion ripped their heads off. Or how they'd take young people who so much as looked at the women with the brothers and they would put their heads in a vise and squeeze until their heads exploded. Or how they'd take chain saws and split a person in half and give the two body parts back to the families. Every way possible to torture people was used by the Hussein's.
What we should have done was give the bodies to the Iraqi people and let them parade them through town. Or what I've heard from a couple of Muslim's is to have brought their religious leaders in along with Tarik Aziz (sp?) to identify the bodies and perform burial ceremonies the way they do it over there...no embalming and burial within 24 hours like the Jewish people do. It was a tough choice to make but, screw them terrorists. This is war.
Colt
C'mon Lance...Armstrong Poised to Take Fifth Tour de France
Saturday, July 26, 2003
NANTES, France — Lance Armstrong all but locked up a record-tying fifth Tour de France (search) title in a drama-packed time trial Saturday by finishing ahead of rival Jan Ullrich, who fell.
The race's final stage Sunday in Paris is traditionally a ceremonial ride in which no one challenges the overall lead. So barring disaster, Armstrong will match Miguel Indurain's record of five consecutive victories in cycling's most prestigious event.
Armstrong smiled broadly and thrust a clenched right fist into the air as he powered to the finish of the rain-soaked time trial covering 30.4 miles. He was handed a large bouquet of yellow flowers, which he jubilantly tossed into the air.
The 31-year-old Texan finished third in the 19th stage, 11 seconds ahead of Jan Ullrich (search), the 1997 Tour champion whose rivalry with Armstrong made this year's race one of the most gripping in years.
Ullrich now appears destined to be runner-up in the overall standings for the fifth time.
The German entered Saturday trailing Armstrong by 65 seconds, a deficit that forced him to take risks, and his challenge effectively ended when he slipped while negotiating a turn on the course between the Atlantic coast port of Pornic and the town of Nantes. Ullrich hopped back on his bike but never really regained his rhythm and concentration.
By the end, Armstrong's overall lead had grown to 76 seconds — by far the closest margin since he began his streak of Tour victories in 1999 after overcoming cancer. All his previous victories came with overall margins of at least 6 minutes.
Armstrong raced cautiously Saturday to protect his slight lead.
The last 6 miles "were really dangerous — it was very stormy, and there was a lot of water on the road," he said. "My plan today was to leave gently and get into a rhythm. I had a lead of more than minute. I didn't want to take any risks."
David Millar of Britain won the stage in 54 minutes, 5 seconds. Tyler Hamilton, the American racing with a broken collarbone, was second at 54:14, followed by Armstrong at 54:19.
It's the first time during Armstrong's streak of Tour triumphs that he didn't win the closing time trial, an individual race against the clock.
That may have been fitting, given all the problems he faced over the past three weeks. He had stomach flu before the July 5 start. He was bruised in a crash on the second day, then failed to shine in the Alps, where he usually dominates. He even had to veer ride into a field, bouncing across sun-scorched grass, to avoid a crash in front of him.
The turning point came Monday, when Armstrong fell when his bike's handlebars were clipped by a spectator's bag. Armstrong wound up winning that stage in the Pyrenees, and the glint returned to his steely blue eyes.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,93002,00.html
Morning, Ksquared. I'd stick with the 40#'ers. Colt
Zach and your draft pick, Outlaw, should be a good start in the rebuilding process.
Colt
That looks about right. As long as the Spurs stay out of the #1 position, I'll be happy. All I care about is finishing #1. The Lakers are going down.
Colt
Yep!
Yep!
Yep!
M-M, I bet Stern said when he got off the phone, what kind of crap is going on. GM's acting like kids, one of my stars is up on Rape charges, a bunch of players doing drugs, blah, blah, blah.
Actually it sounded like sour grapes by Mitch Kupchek and Kevin McHale. LOL
Colt
M-M, you think he is writing this season off? That doesn't seem fair to Mo, since they wouldn't let him interview with the 76'ers. If he is doing that, then he should work a trade now for Sheed. There are plenty of teams that would take him in a matching salary trade, where the Blazers could get 2-3 good, young, athletic players. Seems like Portland and Dallas are just staying pat. The Mavs are screwing up by not bettering their lousy Defense. We held them down around 90 ppg. Had they been able to play 'D', they would have had a chance at winning the series. One can go back and look at all the NBA Champs for the past 50 years and all had great Defenses. Run and gun is nice for the fans in the regular season but, in the playoffs you have to shut the other team down.
I hope Paul Allen does something for you guys.
Colt
Got it! e/
See Ksquared, had you come down here and washed our vehicles, Justin and I would have loaded and carried the 80# bags for you. Course you'd then have to figure out what to do them once we put them down. Maybe the 40#'ers are the smart way to go. LOL
Colt
LOL, Justin. Hey, we tried. Ksquared, doesn't know what she's missing by not washing the cars and trucks of us 'Stud-ly' Texans. Then again, maybe she does and is wiser for it. <ggg>
Colt
Welcome back, TH. Glad you didn't drown. Do y'all water ski up there at the lake?
Colt
LOL, Ksquared. BTW, what in the world is a guy doing pushing a stroller with his kid in it with all the bears around there? That guy sounds like he needs to have his head examined.
It hasn't hit 100 degrees yet and from the looks of things we may not. 86-94 degrees at the end of July is snow skiing weather down here in Texas.
Bawk, bawk, bawk...sounds close enough, I guess. So now I know how to turn people down in chicken speak. Thanks! <ggg>
Generous but faulty, Colt
Ksquared, Mick??? As in Jagger? If so Happy B-Day, Mick.
LOL, Ruellit...I'll try to redo the ibox over the weekend. Some of the teams have their latest Cheerleader photos out. I have a ton of posts I need to make with all the Training Camps starting this week/end...
So you'll get your Cheerleaders ASAP...just hold your horses...LOL
Colt
Plan B is A-OK with Popovich
By Glenn Rogers
San Antonio Express-News
07/26/2003
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is becoming an old hand at introducing new players, even starters, into his contending teams.
So far, he's done just fine.
A couple of seasons ago the first-time starters were Tony Parker, Steve Smith and Bruce Bowen.
Last year, Stephen Jackson began his starting stint at shooting guard next to Parker, and the team won a title.
This time around Rasho Nesterovic begins his tenure as the starting center behind power forward Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili begins his starting role status at Jackson's slot.
Popovich made his run at bringing Jackson back into the fold, but Jackson most likely will wear a new uniform next season.
"It would be very difficult to bring Jack back into the mix now," Popovich said. "We had conversations (with Jackson). I told him we wanted him back and he said he wanted to be back. But apparently he got some different advice somewhere else.
"But we made it very clear to him and his agent (Dan Fegan) that we would go in another direction if we couldn't get some negotiations started.
"We couldn't let this go to September or October and be held hostage then if there were no other opportunities out there. Overpaying a player never works."
The Spurs also lost the services of Speedy Claxton, and they plan on bringing in more backup for Parker.
"We won't be able to get a guy like Speedy. We won't be able to make a trade like we did to get him," Popovich said. "I had a long talk with him before he took the Golden State offer but he wants to be a starter, he wants to lead a team.
"I can understand that completely."
Claxton had said he would talk to Popovich before accepting the three-year, $10 million offer from the Warriors.
The Spurs now have nine guaranteed contracts on their desk — Duncan, Nesterovic, Bowen, Ginobili, Parker, Malik Rose, Ron Mercer, Hedo Turkoglu and Robert Horry. They also expect to bring back Steve Kerr and Kevin Willis.
"It was great to be able to bring in a guy like Horry," Popovich said. "Like Danny Ferry, Mario Elie and Steve Kerr, he's a veteran who lives for the playoffs.
"(General manager R.C. Buford) did a great job filling in the pieces that we needed to continue to compete at a championship level," Popovich said. "We were fortunate that some things fell our way.
"We won't know how it all works out until we learn how the new guys will fit into our system."
Popovich figures to have a few new headaches.
"Hedo is as wild as Manu — those two guys will drive me to drink," he said.
But the coach loves Turkoglu's skills and athleticism; that perimeter talent locked in a body now grown to about 6-feet-10. "He can play the one, two and three spots," Popovich said, referring to the point guard, shooting guard and small forward positions.
Popovich said he figures Horry will be out to prove that last year was just an off year for him shooting wise. Horry is a career 43.4 percent shooter who hit only 38.7 last season, 31 percent in the postseason.
"You know, that shot he made against us (in the final seconds of Game 5) went down and back out," Popovich said. "But he's still the same person that makes those great shots."
Popovich reminds that Mercer was the No. 6 pick by Boston in the 1997 draft and was a member of Kentucky's 1996 NCAA championship team.
"He has a chance now to work with some great guys and he can be a very valuable addition if he can adjust to our systems," Popovich said. "He can be a great offensive player."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=211&xlc=1031033
Spurs wrap up Turkoglu trade
By Glenn Rogers
San Antonio Express-News
07/25/2003
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich finally got his man when the Spurs signed Rasho Nesterovic earlier this month.
Spurs general manager R.C. Buford finally got his man when Hedo Turkoglu joined the team Thursday.
"I've been following Hedo since he was 17 years old and playing for the Turkey World Team," an ebullient Buford announced during a news conference at the team's practice facility.
The Spurs completed the three-team trade package that brought Turkoglu and Ron Mercer to the Spurs, sent center Brad Miller to Sacramento and center Scot Pollard and forward Danny Ferry's one-year non-guaranteed contract to Indiana.
In addition, Buford announced the signing of forward Robert Horry.
Horry has a two-year deal for $5 million and $5.5 million with the first year guaranteed, Mercer has one year left at $6.75 million and Turkoglu has one year remaining at $1.995 million.
"This uses up our cap space," Buford said. But he added that the Spurs can still re-sign guard Stephen Jackson.
"Nothing precludes us from signing Jackson, we have retained his Early Bird rights (meaning he can be signed even if it puts the team over the salary cap)."
Buford said the team still wants to address the backup point-guard situation weakened by the departure of Speedy Claxton.
Buford indicated the point could be handled, if need be, by Manu Ginobili or Turkoglu, who are capable of bringing the ball up the floor. It's more likely the team will try to bring in a backup to Tony Parker.
This could be accomplished via trade or the signing of a free agent for the veteran's minimum exception.
"These trades add to our overall depth and give us a young, talented team," Buford said. "All our decisions were based on flooring a championship-quality team."
Buford indicated that Tim Duncan would be happy to see Horry in San Antonio come October.
"Horry was Tim's toughest defender, now he'll only have to go against him during practice sessions," Buford said. "Horry is also one of the league's greatest shotmakers."
Buford not only is familiar and entranced by Turkoglu's game but he recalls times years ago when he coached against the collegian Mercer.
"He was one of the most competitive players we faced," Buford said.
Mercer's agent Andy Miller said he called his player Wednesday when he first heard about the deal and "Ron's immediate reaction was this is a great opportunity."
But Miller expressed some wonder about whether the Spurs intended to keep Mercer or let him loose to clear cap space when the contract expires next year.
Dallas owner Mark Cuban noted via e-mail that the "the Spurs have a history of integrating new guys. It will be interesting to see if they can do it again."
Neither Turkoglu nor Mercer enjoyed outstanding years last season but Buford said the duo would be in more encouraging situations this coming season.
"Tim, knock on wood, has been a healthy power forward for us. Chris Webber has missed some time and Hedo was playing some power forward. I think he bulked up some for that."
In addition, Buford said Turkoglu was "banged up" during the 2002 world competition.
"We expect to give Hedo the opportunity to be in great shape for the opening of camp," Buford said.
The Spurs also will have to be somewhat concerned about how quickly the new players will mesh in with the rambunctious and aggressive San Antonio defensive style.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=211&xlc=1030429
Rich get richer
July 25, 2003
Marty Burns , SI.com
Whether it's tax cuts or the NBA title race, it seems the rich do indeed get richer.
Over the past few weeks, the Lakers, Spurs, Kings, T'wolves and Nets each made significant roster moves to get better. They have widened the gap between themselves and the have-nots.
Imagine if Brad Miller had gone to, say, the Magic instead. And Gary Payton to the Celtics. And Karl Malone to the Mavs. And Rasho Nesterovic to the Knicks. Now that would have been interesting, no?
Not that the NBA's powers-that-be don't deserve credit. They have invested the money and made the right moves to get where they are. It's just that the other 22 teams (not counting the Mavs and Pistons) in the league would at least like to pretend they've got a chance this season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Now onto the 'bag:
Is Gilbert Arenas worth more than $7 million after only one good season (even if it was his second)? Will he succeed or fall flat on his face like almost every other player that has come through Washington?
-- Zack, Washington, D.C.
Arenas is a genuine talent. Yes, the Wizards are gambling a lot of money on such a young player, but he has the potential to make those numbers seem like a bargain in a few years. The only real concern about Arenas is his maturity. Any player who takes a shower at halftime -- while in his uniform -- has to make the guy signing his paychecks at least a little nervous.
Next year's NBA season is going to kick butt. There will be so many David and Goliath matchups. Who do you think will be the Davids (teams with unknowns who can give the Goliaths a run for their money) next season?
-- Jay Huynh, Stockton, Calif.
I don't know if there will be any Davids capable of taking down Goliaths (see above). But as for teams that could surprise, how about the Cavs, Bulls and Grizzlies? The Cavs have some good young talent to go with LeBron James, and the best center in the East in Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The Bulls are starting to put it together, and the Grizzlies will have a full training camp under Hubie Brown, as well as the possible additions of Michael Dickerson and James Posey.
What are your thoughts on Dennis Rodman's signing with the Kings?
-- Keith Kerber, Houston
My Kings sources say there is no truth to the rumors. Rodman reportedly had dinner recently with the Maloof brothers, who own the Kings, but there is no plan to bring him aboard. Still, it wouldn't surprise me if some team took a chance on Rodman and gave him a look. But at age 42 -- and with all that partying he's done over the past three years -- it would be a miracle if Rodman could still play.
What do you think of the addition of Juwan Howard for the Magic? Do you think a quality second scoring option in Howard would make them contenders to win the East?
-- Sarath Radhakrishnan, New York
Howard is a solid player, but it seems to me he plays the same position as Drew Gooden. Meanwhile, the Magic still don't have a true center. Until they get a true big man to fill the middle and grab key rebounds, Tracy McGrady and Co. are going to have to settle for just making the playoffs.
Do you think Pat Riley could be pulling a fast one on the Clippers? It has been reported for a long time that he coveted Lamar Odom. Could he have gone after Elton Brand as a way to give Donald Sterling sticker shock and scoop up Odom, the player he really wanted anyway?
-- Michael Smalley, Anchorage, Alaska
It's possible, Michael. After all, Riley isn't known as the Evil Genius for nothing. But it's doubtful even Riley would risk $85 million if he didn't genuinely like Brand. Maybe he truly liked them both, but went for Brand first because Odom was his first choice. It's an interesting theory. Maybe someday Riley will write another book and tell us if it's correct.
If Luke Walton makes the Lakers squad this year and they go on to win the title, he could join his father, Bill, as an NBA champion. Would this be the first time in NBA history a father and son won titles as players?
-- James Markham, London
No. Matt Guokas and his father, Matt Sr., each won NBA titles in Philadelphia during their rookie seasons. Matt Jr. won with the 76ers in 1967, 20 years after his father won with the Warriors. Also, it's not quite the same, but Bob and Danny Ferry each share title rings (Bob as GM of the '78 Bullets and Danny last year as a player on the Spurs).
With Dallas having little hope of signing any key free agents this year, what will be its cap situation in the future? I know I may be getting ahead of myself, but with Raef Lafrentz and Shawn Bradley locked up in multiyear contracts, will the Mavs even have money to be a player in free agency next year?
-- Andrew Mailloux, Dallas
With all those multiyear contracts to guys like Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley, LaFrentz and Bradley, the Mavs are capped out for the next few seasons. As of now, it looks like they won't be a major player in free agency. However, things can change. If the team doesn't do well, owner Mark Cuban might decide to shuffle the roster and make trades. Such a move could free up more cap space for future seasons.
I like the Bulls' signing of Scottie Pippen. What he brings in defense and leadership have been well-documented. However, if the Bulls are going to make the playoffs, Eddie Robinson has to show up. What do you think about Pippen joining the Bulls, and would Ira Newble have been a better signing because he's younger and could play starter's minutes in the event E-Rob disappears again?
-- Tim Grisham, Chicago
Pippen should provide the Bulls with some much-needed defensive smarts. My only question is how he will hold up amid all the losing and youthful mistakes of his teammates. In that regard, Newble might have been a better fit. As for Robinson, the Bulls shouldn't count on him. He has been hurt his whole time in Chicago and recently has frustrated management by not returning calls. A change of scenery might be best for both parties at this point.
What is your opinion of the Sonics' guard rotation of Ray Allen, Antonio Daniels, Brent Barry and Luke Ridnour? I couldn't believe when Seattle passed on Reece Gaines to take Ridnour, but time will be the test.
-- Wade Vandort, Bellevue, Wash.
Who knows whether Ridnour or Gaines will be the better player? Either way, Seattle is relying on either a rookie (Ridnour), a tweener (Daniels) or a shooting guard (Barry) to be the playmaker this season. Barry did a decent job last year, and my guess is he'll be their best option at the end of games. But clearly the point guard situation in Seattle is a big question.
Regarding your Rip Van Winkle column (July 21, 2003), you forgot to add the craziest happening of the entire NBA offseason: The Clippers spent money!
-- Brian Jennings, Newnan, Ga.
Yes, they spent $85 million to keep Brand -- the largest contract ever given by Sterling -- but they had to spend some money this season just to get to the league minimum. The real question will be whether they match those offers to Corey Maggette, Andre Miller and, perhaps, Odom. As for those reports that they offered Arenas $60 million, some league execs wonder if they really made Arenas that offer or it was just an attempt to drive up Arenas' price tag for the Wizards.
Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com.
New playoff setup needed to offset imbalance
July 25, 2003
By Mike Kahn
SportsLine.com Executive Editor
So you were wondering if the Eastern Conference would finally gain some ground on the dominant Western Conference, eh?
Gary Payton is back in the West with the Lakers after a brief stint in the East. (AP)
Yeah right, and Ben Curtis is now the favorite to win the PGA instead of Tiger Woods.
Granted, the summer is far from over, but in case you haven't noticed, the free-agent movement and trades so far have made the two conferences even more lopsided, and that's not a good thing.
Each time commissioner David Stern and his deputy Russ Granik have been asked to comment on the possibility of seeding the playoffs so the best teams wouldn't knock each other out, they say it's just a cycle. They use the Chicago Bulls winning six out of eight titles as the example, but the reality is there was some parity in the rest of the league even then.
All they can realistically hope for is the East representative can pull off an upset in the Finals, but the disparity in the conferences is far more than about who wins the title. The West had a 250-170 record against the East last season -- a .595 percentage, with only the lowly Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers failing to have a winning record against the East. Excluding those two teams, the West was 230-130, a staggering .639.
Only the New Jersey Nets, Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Hornets had winning records against the West, and they were 15-13. Even the Memphis Grizzlies, with a 28-54 record overall, were 16-14 against the East.
Can it get worse?
It appears so.
The Los Angeles Lakers signed Gary Payton as a free agent from the Milwaukee Bucks, who had acquired him from Seattle for Ray Allen in February. So that puts the starting guards from the 2000 Olympic team both in the West now.
In the four-team deal that included the Minnesota Timberwolves from the West and the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks, the 'Wolves got Latrell Sprewell -- the best player in the deal -- from the Knicks. The 'Wolves had to give up overpaid/underplayed big man Marc Jackson and the contract of Terrell Brandon, whose career is over following knee surgery. And this comes after the 'Wolves had acquired Sam Cassell and Ervin Johnson from Milwaukee for fading Joe Smith and erratic Anthony Peeler.
This makes Minnesota much better.
Again, add-West.
The Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings the champion San Antonio Spurs completed a three-way deal Thursday. The Pacers signed-and-traded All-Star center Brad Miller to the Kings for Scot Pollard and Hedo Turkoglu. The Pacers then dealt Turkoglu and Ron Mercer to San Antonio for Danny Ferry, who they are going to release from his non-guaranteed contract. That means the Pacers got Pollard and salary cap relief, while the Kings got Miller and the Spurs got Turkoglu and Mercer.
More talent heading West.
The most significant deals in the East have been the Nets re-signing Jason Kidd and adding Alonzo Mourning, in remission for now from a kidney disease; the Pacers re-signing Jermaine O'Neal; the Orlando Magic signing Juwan Howard, who is good but also redundant to young forward Drew Gooden; and the Washington Wizards committing a king's ransom -- nearly $64 million -- for flighty-but-talented, young Golden State Warriors guard Gilbert Arenas.
Granted, the teams in the East configure their teams to win in that conference, but they also play 28 games against the West, and the record now in the Finals since the Bulls last won it in 1998 is 20-6 in favor of the West -- winners of all five titles.
It's time to plant some seeds -- 16 of them at the start of the playoffs. It will create a made-for-TV event that everyone will love and create a balance that really could -- heaven forbid -- have the four best teams playing in the semifinals.
So a wise man once said, it vouldn't hurt.
Shots from the perimeter
Jason Kidd met the media for the first time Thursday after signing a $103 million contract (considered $125 million because of the risky $22 million guarantee to Alonzo Mourning despite his kidney ailment, because it helped assure Kidd would return). Even more important, he addressed the non-stop buzz that he had serious problems with coach Bryon Scott, who is entering the final year of his contract. "If there's any question about Coach's and my relationship, it's great and we want to push forward," Kidd said at the press conference. "That whole thing about me coming in demanding stuff, that's not my personality or it's not on my agenda. My agenda is to win ballgames." He even endorsed an extension for Scott on Thursday, but there are questions over the long haul, particularly with the exit of active assistant Eddie Jordan leaving to become head coach of the Washington Wizards. Scott, meanwhile, has consistently been mentioned as the top candidate to replace Phil Jackson when he retires as Lakers coach.
With Kobe Bryant out of the U.S. Olympic qualifying tournament, the rumor mill has Toronto's Vince Carter as the replacement. Evidently, both knees are now fine for the 2000 Olympian, who played in just 43 games last season.
The coaching competition is heating up. While the locals are hoping the Milwaukee Bucks go after deposed Detroit coach Rick Carlisle, he said he's not interested and working on a TV deal for a year before revisiting the coaching profession. Should the Indiana Pacers fail to advance out of the first round again, he'll be a top candidate should they oust Isiah Thomas. The list of candidates for the Bucks is a long one, including Atlanta Hawks interim coach Terry Stotts and assistants Don Newman, Marc Iavaroni, Terry Porter, Sidney Moncrief, Paul Pressey, Mike Woodson, and Dwane Casey. They are all interesting candidates to replace George Karl, who walked out the door with $7 million.
The new building that will open next season in Houston was named the Toyota Center on Thursday when the naming rights were officially presented and purchased by the automaker. Evidently, it was not for enough money that they will match the $24 million offer sheet forward James Posey signed with the Memphis Grizzlies this week. They are expected to sign sweet-shooting Eric Piatkwoski to a three-year deal for between $8 million and $9 million total. But the consistent buzz out of Houston is more about new coach Jeff Van Gundy reining in the fast and loose attitudes of Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley, which is the real reason Rudy Tomjanovich is no longer the head coach.
The acquisition of Hedo Turkoglu and Ron Mercer by the San Antonio Spurs, plus the two-year deal they signed with Robert Horry ($10.5 million, but the second year isn't guaranteed) means the Spurs have used up all of their nearly $18 million worth of salary cap space. They are still considering re-signing Stephen Jackson.
The Utah Jazz are still $21 million under the $43.84 million salary cap, and should the Los Angeles Clippers match the $42 million offer sheet the Jazz signed with Corey Maggette, they might struggle just to reach the NBA minimum cap of $32.88 million. Remember, they paid Karl Malone, who left as a free agent to play for the Lakers, and retired John Stockton nearly $28 million combined last season.
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/6499322
Pop's special op: secretly reload Spurs
Thursday, July 24
By Ric Bucher
ESPN The Magazine
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich can dismiss talk about his reputed past as a military spy all he wants, but only an expert in covert operations could, in plain view, take a championship team and make it measurably better -- and have almost no one notice.
The best part is that Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford utilized the movement of several vaunted rivals as cover. The Lakers added a pair of Hall of Famers to their starting lineup, Kevin Garnett's supporting cast is now as notorious as it previously was anonymous and last year's favorites, the Kings, grabbed the last notable free agent. But if there's a roster that should give the rest of the league reason to worry the 2004 title already is locked up, it's the one in San Antonio. None of the Spurs' additions made headlines, but combine the additions with three of their top four players from the 2003 title-winning squad and it's hard to imagine a roster with more postseason experience or overall intelligence and versatility.
Hedo Turkoglu will be playing for the world champs -- and a new contract.
That shouldn't be news or debatable, but I'm guessing my e-mail from readers will suggest otherwise. That only underscores just how good Popovich and Buford -- whose invisibility in the Executive of the Year race last year is inexplicable -- have become at this bogeyman routine.
In any case, only David Copperfield would attempt deception on such a grand scale. If I didn't know exactly how fervently the Spurs wanted Jason Kidd, I'd be inclined to think it was one big smokescreen now. That, at least, is how they ended up using it. For in the immediate wake of Kidd's decision to stay in New Jersey and excitement over Alonzo Mourning joining him, San Antonio quickly filled their biggest hole by signing Timberwolves center Rasho Nesterovic to succeed retiree David Robinson. Even though Nesterovic was Popovich and Tim Duncan's first choice to replace the Admiral, it came across as a consolation prize in light of Kidd's snub. Whatever notice it might've warranted was lost in the stampede created by Gary Payton and Karl Malone agreeing to join Shaq and Kobe in L.A.
The Spurs' next two moves were equally surreptitious. Under the buzz raised by Scottie Pippen returning to the Bulls, the Spurs quietly beat out the Lakers and Mavericks for Robert Horry. The announcement barely raised a murmur, but don't underestimate what Horry has left simply because he ran out of gas with the Lakers last season. Any 30-something natural small forward would have been in similar shape after playing power forward in the Western Conference, the league's stronghold of strength, size and talent these days. Let Big Shot Rob play 20 minutes off the bench as a "three" -- as he did on the Lakers' three championship teams -- and the legs that launched those back-breaking treys are a good bet to recover.
They then acquired a Euro version of Robert Horry 10 years ago in the Kings' Hedo Turkoglu while celebratory cow bells clanged in Sacramento over Brad Miller's arrival. Miller is a nice fit and a decided upgrade over Scot Pollard, presuming Chris Webber continues his development as a low-post threat, and the Kings still have enough to get past just about everyone else. But take note of how Miller played knowing he was going to be a free agent. Turkoglu, who has five times the talent and plays everything except center, will have the same motivation this season.
Now, granted, the Spurs' 2003 template for success might not be quite the same. Their defense, in particular, could slide a notch. Nesterovic is not the on-ball defender, rebounder or shotblocker that Robinson was. Nor does he get opposing big men in foul trouble the way Robinson did -- Robinson averaging a free throw every 7.8 minutes while Nesterovic last season took one every 24.6 minutes.
The absence of Stephen Jackson's perimeter D also could be felt. Horry is at his best in the post and Turkoglu lost his spot in the Kings' rotation largely because of his defensive inconsistencies.
But few coaches are better at instilling a defensive mindset than Popovich, and Turkoglu has the requisite size and athleticism to be as good as Jackson without all the pouting and sideline antics. He also penetrates-and-kicks almost as well as Manu Ginobili. So make no mistake -- the Spurs have improved, quietly but dramatically. The only way Popovich and Buford top this trick is if they have the team vanish into thin air right after NBA commissioner David Stern hands them the trophy. As it stands, don't be surprised if they get the chance.
And Ones
After a slow summer-league start, Knicks second-round pick Maciej (Mah-gee for those reading out loud) Lampe has demonstrated all-around skills that, as one assistant GM said, will "help" the Knicks next season. His road to redemption for not being taken in the first round, though, got tougher with New York acquiring Keith Van Horn. The general consensus is that Lampe's best shot is as a perimeter-shooting small forward, which is exactly what Van Horn is -- and Keith's contract assures he'll get a long first look. ... If you want an overlooked Euro talent, check out the Suns' Zarko Cabarkapa. At 6-foot-11, he was leading breaks and fearlessly jamming on anyone and everyone -- including Lampe, whom he abused. Check out his hands -- they're so big they look like fruit bats hanging off his wrists. ... The Jazz's two undersized point guards, Raul Lopez and rookie Mo Williams, both are looking good in the Rocky Mountain Revue, but Utah still will look at possibly adding Shammond Williams. ... New Pacers president Larry Bird also attended the Revue. Maybe it's just me, but when Larry is in the gym, even in street clothes, the proceedings somehow take on an added luster. ... Coaches George Karl and Rick Carlisle are both going to sit out the season and do TV work instead. Friends close to Doug Collins say he is taking the year off entirely.
Ric Bucher covers the NBA for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ric.bucher@espnmag.com. Also, send a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
http://espn.go.com/nba/columns/bucher_ric/1585316.html
This is funny!...Western GMs play game of touché
Friday, July 25
By Frank Hughes
Special to ESPN.com
According to my very exclusive sources with intimate knowledge of the situation, NBA commissioner David Stern received a phone call Friday morning from Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, who complained that San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford made an inappropriate gesture.
Apparently, during a video conference call, Buford sat on the edge of his desk, grabbed his crotch and yelled, "Take that, Mee-yatch."
Of course, the only reason that Buford felt it necessary to make the call, my sources say, was because Buford himself received a similar call from Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Kevin McHale a few days ago, in which McHale labeled Buford and the rest of his championship ring-wielding front-office cronies "free agency chokers."
Kevin McHale had to keep up with the Kupchaks. McHale was referring to his acquisition via four-team trade of Latrell Sprewell, and perhaps his choice of words in taunting Buford was, if not intentional, unfortunate.
So there you have it folks, Summer Time Smack Talk, middle-aged white dude style, as the powers-that-be in the NBA play their own game of oneupsmanship by wheeling and dealing in a $2 billion version of the World Series of Poker.
Who says you can't get that same adrenaline rush once you retire from playing?
Some would argue that this summer in the NBA is more entertaining than its regular season -- and not just because we get to see to what lengths Kobe Bryant will go to restore his good name. (His next three endorsement deals? Chapstick. Tiffany's. And TigerBeat Magazine.)
This reminds me of that stretch in the NFL from 1987 to 1996, when the New York Giants won the Super Bowl, forcing the rest of the NFC to make an adjustment. So the Redskins do, and win the next one. The title keeps volleying back and forth between New York, Washington, San Francisco and Dallas for 10 straight years, depending on who made the best adjustments.
Only, this whole thing is happening in one month instead of one decade, a dizzying whir of activity that makes one ready to end the offseason (also known as: COPS! See the police use a pair of platinum-plated handcuffs and an Escalade paddy wagon with three DVDs and a PlayStation 3) and begin a regular season in which 82 games will be welcomed instead of ignored -- or, at least in the Western Conference.
This all started when Kupchak did his impression of Mike Price, and Destiny and her sister Serendipity dropped in his lap. One day you're contemplating whether or not to keep Robert Horry and maybe contact Jelani McCoy, the next day Gary Payton and Karl Malone call and start asking about where the nice neighborhoods in L.A. are located.
At the time, San Antonio's and Minnesota's responses seemed meek, the Spurs stealing Rasho Nesterovic and the Wolves resorting to Michael Olowokandi. But then McHale went Postal and got Sprewell. Or is that McHale went Sprewell and got Postal? I can't keep these things straight. But it makes me contemplate the possibility of Sprewell and Malone playing together, meaning the Mailman could go Postal.
Maybe we'll get that redundancy next summer. But this summer, Buford's parry to McHale's riposte was to pull off a three-team deal with the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings in which the Spurs got Hedo Turkoglu and Ron Mercer for, well, a rusty old mud-filled can sitting on the bottom of the Riverwalk. Excuse me, I mean, Danny Ferry. The Kings got Brad Miller. And the Pacers got Crow on a Spit because Donnie Walsh has promised his constituents for a long time that he was going to re-sign Jermaine O'Neal, Brad Miller and Reggie Miller, and now Brad Miller is gone and Jermaine has no center.
San Antonio was so desperate to make a fantastic move to keep up with the other SeaBiscuits that the Spurs did the deal with Sacramento. This is kind of like the U.S. providing weapons to Iraq 20 years ago so that Iraq could defeat Iran. Now, 20 years later, the U.S. uses those same weapons as an excuse for invasion.
I find this move interesting for a couple reasons. Foremost is that San Antonio was so desperate to make a fantastic move to keep up with the other SeaBiscuits that the Spurs did the deal with Sacramento. This is kind of like the U.S. providing weapons to Iraq 20 years ago so that Iraq could defeat Iran. Now, 20 years later, the U.S. uses those same weapons as an excuse for invasion. (Republicans, please don't e-mail me telling me what an ass I am. I've already heard it from my father-in-law.)
You'd have to think that at some point over the next five years, the Spurs and the Kings are going to meet in the playoffs, perhaps even the Western Conference finals, and the trade that happened this week is going to go a long way toward determining the outcome of the NBA championship. At which point R.C. is going to take out his Buford Pusser whooping stick on Geoff Petrie, or Petrie might flog Buford with a satchel of poker chips from the Palms.
The other thought I had was that I find it humorously ironic that Larry Bird had a hand in undermining the strong personnel move of McHale. I mean, is there no loyalty any longer, no championship ties that bind? What was Red Auerbach teaching those fellas up there in Boston? What ever happened to Celtic Pride? I guess it disappeared when Vin Baker came to town.
Curiously and conspicuously absent in all this contractual philandering are the Dallas Mavericks, who apparently still are smarting from the rejection of their overtures to Alonzo Mourning. Remember a few years ago when Mark Cuban heard about the four-team deal that was going to send Baker to New York and Patrick Ewing to Seattle and Cuban interceded to block the whole thing by pulling off a meaningless trade with Detroit?
I miss those days of back-alley sliminess, of nefarious negotiations in which Cuban outmaneuvers his opponent only to incur the wrath of David Stern in the form of a monetary wrist-slap, which is akin to taking one of Hugh Hefner's six girlfriends away from him for a night. That's boardroom brawling at its best, and Cuban once was the King of Sports.
Now, he sits on the sidelines and watches while Kupchak, Buford, Petrie and McHale stick out their tongues and nanny nanny boo boo one another in a grand tussle for the next five championships.
C'mon, Cubes, get in the game. We know you have it in you.
Frank Hughes, who covers the NBA for the Tacoma (Wash.) News-Tribune, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.
http://espn.go.com/nba/columns/hughes_frank/1585596.html
M-M, we're just about there. I really like the way the Spurs are choosing the players they like that fit into Pop's system.
I still think Portland is working some kind of blockbuster trade quietly in the background. They will end up surprising a bunch of people.
Colt
I don't know, M-M. Coach pulled Shaq when we went up by about 25 points and chastised him in the post game interview, saying Shaq needs to do some soul searching. Remember, Shaq didn't even have the maturity to show up for the team meeting where they clean out there lockers for the season. Tim Duncan made Shaq look like a big slob in the regular season and like a real old slob in the playoffs. Duncan is too smart and his moves for a big man are so far out of Shaq's ability that LA really needs to make sure Shaq gets in shape for this coming season. And Tim has totally eaten Malone's lunch the past 5 seasons. Tim makes Karl look like he is about 71 years old.
Colt