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Can't believe the Spurs are still shopping Malik? The Spurs cannot survive in the west with Malik. He our only legitimate player than can rebound. I say trade him in the offseason, but until then, we need him since we have nobody else.
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Sam Smith
Feb 21, 2005
DENVER -- All-Star Game, Shmall-Star Game. The NBA trading deadline is Thursday, which means I'll have to pay attention to basketball games after this week. It doesn't seem like there are any blockbusters coming, or as Michael Jordan would tell us, he's 99.9 percent sure of that.
Although Jason Kidd made a bunch of noise last week about being traded to Minnesota, it seems unlikely because New Jersey looks pretty good next season with Kidd and Richard Jefferson back. The Nets' acquisition of Cliff Robinson could help them win the anic, er, Atlantic Division.
Allen Iverson has taken back his supposed trade request of the month, though there are some big names floating around with some uncertainty, like Boston's Paul Pierce, Sacramento's Peja Stojakovic, Milwaukee's Michael Redd and, no, not the Bulls' Eddy Curry.
But there was some interesting buzz here with word that Curry is not too happy with his rotation and playing time and might make a fuss about re-signing to play for Scott Skiles. And with Skiles' option for next season not picked up yet.
Bulls general manager John Paxson continues to say Skiles will be the team's coach for a long time, and the way they're playing, there's no reason not to believe him. And Curry has given no indication to the Bulls he's upset with his situation.
This week should be a major indicator for the Bulls with Shaquille O'Neal and the Eastern Conference-leading Miami Heat at the United Center on Tuesday. Then the Bulls visit LeBron James' Cavaliers on Wednesday.
The word among the Cavs' types is they're more concerned now with holding off the Bulls than trying to catch Central Division-leading Detroit. The Pistons have found themselves after a 12-12 start and are 32-19, better than their All-Star break record last season, though they added Rasheed Wallace after the break.
So, yes, it is shaping up as a Heat-Pistons conference finals, but perhaps the Bulls can steal a player this week and make a run into the second round. Their needs are a shooting guard and a big-time scorer who can close a game or carry a team in a tough quarter.
No, you don't get those kinds of players cheaply, but there are special cases--like when a player has a few months left on his contract and doesn't appear he'll re-sign. Like Portland's Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
The Bulls aren't trading Curry or Tyson Chandler or Ben Gordon or Luol Deng, but would it be worth a run at Abdur-Rahim and give them a leg up on re-signing him by dangling Antonio Davis and Andres Nocioni? Why not shoot high? The Trail Blazers might go for a sweetener like Nocioni to take Davis for an extra season.
Donyell Marshall's contract is expiring, and the Bulls really gave him up only to get rid of Jalen Rose. Toronto wants Marshall out, and perhaps it would take some of the Bulls' extras and a second-round pick. The Bulls supposedly have inquired. They supposedly inquired about players like Robinson and Elden Campbell before they were moved.
Atlanta is trying to move Antoine Walker. Would coming home for a few months calm him down and be worth someone like Nocioni again added to Davis?
The East remains wide open, and there are plenty of games left to make a big move.
With a few days to the trading deadline, here's a look at how teams are thinking:
•Atlanta. Wants to move Walker and get something, but insiders believe the Hawks made a mistake on Al Harrington and that relationship also could end.
•Boston. Still holding out for a No. 1 draft pick for Gary Payton, who'll leave after this season. The Celtics have a chance to win the Atlantic Division, but the future is where they have their eye. They're still trying for Seattle rookie big man Robert Swift, and word is they'll move Pierce, perhaps this summer. Pierce said he doubts he's part of management's vision.
•Charlotte. Steve Smith asked not to be traded.
•Cleveland. Desperate for a perimeter shooter and will make one last bid for Milwaukee's Redd, a free agent. Also trying to unload DeSagana Diop and Dujuan Wagner, though the latter is probably out for the season.
•Dallas. Perhaps a shot at Payton because it still doesn't have a point guard.
•Denver. Another team looking for Redd, perhaps for Nene. Also trying to dump Nikoloz Tskitishvili.
•Detroit. Satisfied with its move for Carlos Arroyo.
•Golden State. Still trying to deal Dale Davis, on his last season but at $10 million. Would like to dump Derek Fisher's long-term deal, and after commitments to Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy, the Warriors aren't going to pay big money for Mike Dunleavy. He could be gone this summer.
•Houston. Has turned it around by adding speed in Bob Sura--one of 10 NBA players averaging double figures in scoring with more than five rebounds and five assists--and Jon Barry. After starting 6-11, the Rockets are the West's hottest team. Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming both are averaging 20 points in their winning streak, and Juwan Howard has four double-doubles in the last six games.
•Indiana. With all the injuries to Jamaal Tinsley, perhaps a shot at Payton and another veteran to make a late run. There's still talk of a Ron Artest deal to Memphis, Atlanta or New York, though the Pacers deny it.
•Clippers. Amazing point guard problems with Marko Jaric and Shaun Livingston hurt again and perhaps out for the season. They're now concerned Livingston's fragile body cannot handle the NBA. Talk of a return home for native Baron Davis, whom the Hornets sent back to L.A. to do his rehab.
•Lakers. Talk this weekend of a Stojakovic and Bobby Jackson swap for Lamar Odom, who doesn't fit well with Kobe Bryant. Lakers want a shooter to pair with Bryant.
•Memphis. Among the Redd suitors. Has long been trying to deal Bonzi Wells and Lorenzen Wright.
•Miami. Looks like Alonzo Mourning is coming on board this week but still has talked about dealing Eddie Jones. Also has had an eye on Damon Stoudamire, in his final season, to spread the court better.
•Milwaukee. Big week to decide on unrestricted free agent Redd. Also concerned about future of Keith Van Horn and could deal him. But it's tough digging out from the mess George Karl left.
•Minnesota. The talk is coaching is Kevin McHale's exit strategy after this season now that the franchise is whole with its draft picks back from the Joe Smith fiasco. Would like Kidd and might take Payton. Wants to deal Latrell Sprewell, Sam Cassell, Michael Olowokandi, Troy Hudson and Wally Szczerbiak.
•New Jersey. The Nets could be pretty good next season if they keep Kidd. So they should, but he can make himself difficult.
•New Orleans. Dan au, another shaggy-haired guard in the Kirk Hinrich/Luke Ridnour mold, is looking good, having averaged 19 points in a recent 12-game stretch, which makes Baron Davis very expendable. The Hornets will listen for any of their veterans, including P.J. Brown.
•New York. Anyone, please take Allan Houston or Penny Hardaway. General manager Isiah Thomas recently had to prevent a fight between Kurt Thomas and Stephon Marbury, bitter internal rivals. The Knicks talked with Sacramento about Chris Webber and with Toronto about Rose and Marshall, but the contracts may be too much with their huge payroll.
•Orlando. Trying to peddle DeShawn Stevenson and Pat Garrity. Looking for more defense.
•Philadelphia. Iverson says he's staying. The 76ers have talked with Toronto about Marshall with the possibility of moving Samuel Dalembert. A plea from Iverson's camp about a trade is a message to the team to make a deal.
•Phoenix. Everything's going the Suns' way, but with all the money they've put out, they don't figure to re-sign Joe Johnson, a shooter several teams are eyeing as a free agent. He could be dealt.
•Portland. Most likely will deal Abdur-Rahim and Nick Van Exel if it can get something without taking too much long-term money. Otherwise, will just save the salaries and move on. Also, looking to unload Derek Anderson with rumors of a swap with Minnesota involving Darius Miles and Szczerbiak.
•Sacramento. Pretty close to making some major moves with Stojakovic, Webber and Jackson being named as trade bait.
•San Antonio. Still looks like league's best, and even with good play of late, it still wants to move Malik Rose's contract. Would take Marshall. The Spurs' international additions continue to amaze. Nobody knows that part of the game better.
•Seattle. Until it knows what's up with free-agent Ray Allen, the Sonics are limited in what they want to do. Will see if Boston can come up with something creative for them for Swift and could deal Vladimir Radmanovic given his pending free agency.
•Toronto. Most likely to deal. Trying to pair Rose with Marshall like the Bulls did, but also looking to move Eric Williams and Aaron Williams and reshape team in image of coach Sam Mitc , whatever that is.
•Utah. Plenty of buzz about dealing disappointing--to them--Carlos Boozer, perhaps to Lakers. The talk includes a package of Caron Butler, Luke Walton and Slava Medvedenko for Boozer. With failing fortunes, the Jazz is said to be committed to dealing off big contracts.
•Washington. You wonder about Etan Thomas and Brendan Haywood with the Wizards' defense and whether they can get better.
The quote
Pacers President Larry Bird issued a last warning to Reggie Miller about retiring, recalling how Pete Maravich and Dave Cowens retired before the Celtics won the 1981 Finals.
"Reggie needs to get another opportunity to win a championship," Bird said. "He had one [when the Pacers reached the Finals in 2000], and he knows what it's about now. He's not the player he was, but give him another opportunity. Give him a chance to play for the big one. I couldn't believe [Maravich and Cowens in 1980] quit. We had a good team. I was like, `Why would you do something like that?' That could happen here."
Can't believe the Spurs are still shopping Malik? The Spurs cannot survive in the west with Malik. He our only legitimate player than can rebound. I say trade him in the offseason, but until then, we need him since we have nobody else.
The Spurs' international additions continue to amaze. Nobody knows that part of the game better!!!!!!!!
The Spurs have a great backcourt. There front court consists of one man, Tim Duncan. That's a problem.
The good thing is that our main compe ors play small.
Geez, Marshall would be great for us. Pretty please....
Marshal would be sweet, but don't count on it. He could be paired up front with Tim on D, as he can block a few shots shots and rebound. He can also space the floor on O with the 3ball.
Toronto is in disassembly mode, and to get Marshall, you have to take Jalen Rose's ty two remaining years. I would think that at a minimum, you would have to give up Malik AND some of our overseas talent, if not Beno, to get him straight up, all for just a 29 game rental. Doesn't seem worth it.
I agree, we need another big man that can be effective.
I would like to get ride of Rose and Mass for a decent big man.
PJ Brown?
Actually, I wouldn't mind a guy who could help us in the run to win the finals.
I'm only concerned about facing Shaq in the finals.
But we will be fine with Scola coming off the bench to bring a little offense from a big man.
I wouldn't mind having Curry. He averages 15 ppg and he can play D.
Toronto wants someone to take Jalen off their hands, but no one is going to.
So basically what it's going to come down to as Thursday approaches is getting something for Marshall, or watching him walk this summer for nothing.
Scola hasn't even played in the NBA and now you are assuming that he is going to get playoff time in the NBA?
WTF?
This is what I am sick of, foreigners who haven't done in the NBA. Beno, Rasho, Scola, WTF? lets just sign all of the foreigners since they are so great. Damn, there's got to be a 7 footer from bum egypt to sign for the minimum right now and relieve Rasho from the duties of being a center.......
WTF....... we are talking about this playoffs, the Spurs need to counter, the Heat, Pistons, Rockets and Pacers. Those teams are going to destroy the Spurs down low.
Why do people continue wanting to trade Malik? Aside from that one game this season (the one where he pulled the jersey over his head) his overall play has been great. He is a great difference maker off the bench and with him and Horry we should be fine. The only Spurs that I would like to see get traded would be maybe Rasho (SORRY ANGEL!) although I doubt we could get a good 7 foot center in return and combine him with Mass.
If Pop learns how to separate his personal feelings from his coaching and if Malik learns to stay strong minded and focused, you can book it that he will be the difference maker in this year's championship run for the Spurs. Mark my words!
You never know. It might take him a couple of years to get used to it and become an effective player, you just don't know.
Manu was a late 2nd round pick Sequ, and now he's an all-star...not many of cases like that, so STFU.
That's what I've been saying, we need another big man to either stop Shaq, or the double wallace's from Detroit.
Because Shaq shot 99.9% in the .4 sweep of the Spurs. The Spurs need help and Malik is to short.Why do people continue wanting to trade Malik? Aside from that one game this season (the one where he pulled the jersey over his head) his overall play has been great. He is a great difference maker off the bench and with him and Horry we should be fine. The only Spurs that I would like to see get traded would be maybe Rasho (SORRY ANGEL!) although I doubt we could get a good 7 foot center in return and combine him with Mass.
If Pop learns how to separate his personal feelings from his coaching and if Malik learns to stay strong minded and focused, you can book it that he will be the difference maker in this year's championship run for the Spurs. Mark my words!
Rasho, Malik, Barry, Beno, package a few of these guys and get a big man.
Package any combo of those players (other than Rasho) and you lose serious scoring options. Spurs lost last year, not because of .4. They lost because they couldn't make their shots. That is something Beno, Barry, AND Malik can help with. On the plus side, Malik can seriously help with rebounding and hasn't he played Shaq well in the past? I think if the Spurs need to trade anyone, it would be Rasho, combine him with a package of Mass for a big man.
Shaq would destroy Malik in the playoffs.
^^^Well most likely, we will be facing Detriot in the finals.
Right. Death to short people. They're expendable.The Spurs need help and Malik is to short.
I think if you can get Boozer you do it. Just dont trade TP, Manu, TD, or Barry. But anyone else, I would do it for Boozer.
Do you know how much Boozer makes? You can't do a deal for him, and not include one or two of the people on your exclusion list. He left Cleveland for the MONEY, and word is that Utah was disappointed with his performance in the West. Guess what: last time I looked, SA was in the West. His game is a horrible fit here anyway. He can only score in the paint, handcufffing Tim's offense, and doesn't block shots for , a definite forbidden in our defense.I think if you can get Boozer you do it. Just dont trade TP, Manu, TD, or Barry. But anyone else, I would do it for Boozer.
Boozer sucks ass, and makes a ton of money. You people would be ing louder next year about him than you currently do about Malik.
Ive never ed about Malik. I like him. I know that Boozer makes alot of Money. I just dont think you give up one of those four players I mentioned for Boozer.
You just described Malik's game perfectly.He can only score in the paint, handcufffing Tim's offense, and doesn't block shots for , a definite forbidden in our defense.
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