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No, because teh SPurs put a call a month ago and nothing happened.
RIVER HILLS, Wis. -- Latrell Sprewell answered his front door with his face contorted into his unmistakable scowl, his anger barely under control as he made it clear he was not accepting visitors and was in no mood to talk.
"Get off my property right now or I'll send someone out there to take your head off!"
So ended the briefest of encounters early Sunday afternoon a few miles north of downtown Milwaukee, the biggest mystery of the NBA season no closer to being explained by the only person who has any of the answers.
Inside the sprawling yellow brick home with the massive wooden jungle gym in the backyard resides the best basketball player in the world without a job, an athlete who could help some team win an NBA championship three months from now if it could just get a reading on whether he's willing and/or able to set aside his shame and lace 'em up for the first time since the Minnesota Timberwolves played their final game last season.
Not a single word has been spoken publicly in almost a year by Sprewell, whose agent heard from the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks earlier in March, each of the Western Conference's top teams making inquiries about the former All-Star whose mercurial ways have made him one of the most controversial players of the past decade.
Seeking some answers, ESPN.com reached out to Sprewell through his agent and his publicist, as well as through voice mails on his cell phone, before resorting to the oldest reporting technique in the book -- showing up on his doorstep in the hopes that the sight of a familiar face from his days in New York might coax him into providing some sort of insight into whether he's considering a return to the NBA before this season ends.
Under collective bargaining rules, Sprewell can sign with any playoff-bound team up until the last day of the season and still be eligible for the postseason. (Players who already were on NBA rosters but who were waived in-season must have been waived by March 1 to be playoff-eligible.)
That rule was brought to Sprewell's attention by the NBA players union last week, but what -- if anything -- he plans to do with that knowledge is unknown.
The deep thump-thump-thump of a woofer-fueled bass line was causing the windows in Sprewell's front foyer to shimmer as he answered his door on the third ring wearing a sleeveless T-shirt and sweat pants. His order to skedaddle was heeded without hesitation or argument.
"Watch out for the dogs," a Bucks scout had warned.
But judging by Sprewell's demeanor and his growl, the biggest threat to life and limb was standing on two legs, not four. Good luck to the next Jehovah's Witness who tries to engage him in a friendly discussion of the Bible.
"I have no idea what's driving Latrell. I can't figure it out, and he doesn't articulate what he's thinking," said Robert Gist, Sprewell's longtime agent.
The Mavericks called about two weeks ago when they were dealing with a flurry of injuries.
"He said he would call back the next day. He never did. So we dropped the idea," Mavs owner Mark Cuban said via e-mail.
The Spurs also put in a call to Gist's office about a month ago, though nothing came of it.
"These teams recognize Latrell's value, and they've gone to their top players to ask them whether Spree would be a good fit," Gist said.
Sprewell made $14.6 million last season in the final year of a contract he signed after rehabilitating while with the New York Knicks. Sprewell led the Knicks to the 1999 NBA Finals after serving a 70-game suspension for his attack on former Golden State coach P.J. Carlesimo early in the 1997-98 season.
After turning down a three-year $21-million extension from the Timberwolves, explaining he had "a family to feed," Sprewell went unsigned last summer as an unrestricted free agent.
According to Gist, Sprewell made the mistake of waiting on the Los Angeles Lakers at a time when the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers all were expressing interest in signing him. But the Timberwolves and Lakers were unable to agree on a sign-and-trade deal that would satisfy both teams, and then other teams turned to other free agents. So by the time training camps started, Sprewell's only choice was to play for the veteran's minimum, which he feels is beneath him.
"It may have been the transition, going from making $14.6 million to $1 million because the rules say you're only worth this much. Making that adjustment probably took some time," said Gist, who believes Sprewell's pride -- and his hesitance to subject himself to public second-guessing over his "family to feed" quote -- is part of what's keeping Sprewell from returning to the NBA.
No, because teh SPurs put a call a month ago and nothing happened.
Without a doubt this wouldnt be the right election for spurs
He could provide some instant offense off the bench. The Spurs would look funny and scary at the same time if Spree joined.
Maybe Smeagol could offer some vBookie $$ to supplement the veteran's minimum
I think I would actually like to see Spree play for the Spurs this season. The Spurs need that spark off the bench. Finley hasn't had that much success and NVE is injured now. Why not give Spree a shot? I don't think it would hurt.
If he didn't return any calls and didn't answer the door until the third ring ... get a clue! He doesn't want to talk! Doesn't make him less of an idiot, but it also makes the writer of this article an idiot.
Maybe he was busy feeding his family?
spree in sa = not happening
Sir, you are correct. This is the latest snapshot taken of the NBA veteran:
Seriously, this piece of is not needed by the Spurs(yeah, I dislike Spree a little)
What an ass. I hope his pride and ego continue his absence from the NBA. Good riddance you walking stereotype. Way to be different.
wow, I can't believe Pop and RC think Spree has anything to offer.
and what a first-class asshole, to boot.
Interesting how he and Big Dog Robinson were facing similar situations a year apart and Glenn decided it would be cool to pick up some hardware while Spree thinks it would be cool to stay home and play some tunes.
The wonderful thing about pure captalism in the NBA free agency is that a willing employer and a willing employee can find a wage that both can live with. Otherwise there is no deal.
Glenn actually had some humility and perspective, even if only brought on by his age, and was extremely grateful for and respectful of the opportunity the Spurs offered him.
Spree seems to have his head way up his ass, thinking NBA teams owe him something..
Sprewell has more talent in one finger than Melvin Sanders will ever have. The Spurs made the right move in looking to bring Spree in.
Hey it may have been the right move, but if a dude is this angry and bitter would you really want him on the team? If he's loving retirement life that much - hip hip Hooray!
so, do u think he deserves more than the vet min?
he doesn't seem to think soSprewell's only choice was to play for the veteran's minimum, which he feels is beneath him.
it was worth a shot to see if he would bite, we don't have much to offer him.
that doesn't answer my question
Had we not gotten Finley, we probably would've considered throwing his money at Spree. At this point, Spree would be fighting Barry for minutes -- I'm sure it's hardly the role he envisions himself playing.
Now he's probably holding out to be included in whatever big trade Minnesota has in store for the summer (if that's even possible).
Spree HAD a lot of talent, but that was 5 - 10 years ago.
He's very probably out of shape, very definitely out of game shape, can't play defense, doesn't know the Spurs system, and couldn't hit his last year with Wolves.
Same with Nick. These were great players years ago, but can't contribute now, especially at championship level.
Damn, last playoffs, esp the Finals, the 248 minutes went to just 7 Spurs in a very tight rotation. Where TF does a Sprewell get enough minutes to make any kind of playoff contribution?
Why am I not surprise by this post ?
We should start the list :
Spree > Sanders
Theron Smith > Sanders
Ebi > Sanders
Shawn Kemp > Sanders
Oliver Miller > Sanders
The Coyotte > Sanders
C.H.E.S.T. > Sanders ...
In three month Sanders will have one ring, Malone and Stockton zero.
Even if he wanted to play, what sort of shape do you think he's in right now? Somehow, Spree doesn't impress me as they guy who would be keeping himself in shape.
There is no doubt that Spree has talent and for that reason I wouldn't mind more talent on the team. Does the team need more talent? I don't know. I would think not. But it doesn't hurt to have more.
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