Sorry for the post. It was sent accidently.


>From: "Sports Scene" <sportsscene@...>
>Reply-To: Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com
>To: Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [Celtics' Stuff Insider 7/31/02
>Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 14:27:13 -0400
>
>Hi, how are you? I enjoy reading your posts as they are very insightful. I
>am running my own website and didn't know if you'd be interested in
>promoting each other? I don't know if you have your own website or not, but
>I could put a link on my site to wherever you want people to go to read
>you.
>My site is www.sportsscene.blogspot.com. Take a look and let me know if you
>are interested.
>
>Regards,
>Shawn
>
>
> >From: bdodgers@...
> >Reply-To: Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com
> >To: Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: [Celtics' Stuff Insider 7/31/02
> >Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 11:44:43 EDT
> >
> >Wednesday, July 31 Updated 9:57 AM EST
> >
> >
> >Can the Knicks dump
> >Spree or Houston?
> >by Chad Ford
> ><A
>HREF="http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/writeback?name=Chad+Ford">Send
> >an Email to Chad Ford</A>
> >
> ><A
>HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3331">Andre
> >Miller</A> is off the rumor mill. So is <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3326">Baron
> >Davis</A>. (The Hornets may want
> >to send a thank you card to Cleveland for that one. They would've never
> >given
> >away Davis straight up for <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3402">Darius
> >Miles</A>.) <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1279">Vin
> >Baker</A>, who was recently
> >inducted as a permanent member of the rumor mill, is also off the block
>—
> >at
> >least until the Celtics get over their hangover and realize who they're
>in
> >bed with. What do all three players have in common? The Knicks were
>heavily
> >pursuing Miller, Davis and Baker in a desperate attempt to get the
> >franchise
> >back on track after slipping out of the playoffs last season. Their
> >relentless attempts to trade either <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=858">Latrell
> >Sprewell</A> or <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1282">Allan
> >Houston</A> have
> >been well documented. So have their rejections.
> >
> >In addition to being rebuffed by the Cavs, Hornets and Sonics, the Knicks
> >have talked with the Bucks about <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2624">Glenn
> >Robinson</A>, the Hawks about <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3333">Jason
> >Terry</A>,
> >and the T-Wolves about <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3329">Wally
> >Szczerbiak</A>. All three teams are still laughing.
> >
> >Why the obsession with trading away one of their two best players? Knicks
> >brass feels like the team needs to move one of its shooting guards and
> >bring
> >in either a bigger, more versatile small forward or a top-flight point
> >guard
> >next season. Spree has been playing out of position for four years in New
> >York and the team feels like it has finally taken its toll. One of the
>two
> >needs to go, and so far, Spree appears to have the most trade value.
> >
> >What's the problem? The Knicks are trying to get an All-Star-caliber
>player
> >back in return. Both players put up career numbers last year. Houston had
>a
> >career high in scoring (20.2 ppg) and three-pointers made. Spree put up
>his
> >highest point total (19.4 ppg) since he joined the Knicks. Nevertheless,
> >it's
> >become pretty apparent that there isn't a blockbuster trade out there for
> >Spree or Houston. Spree's troubled past, his age, 32, and a huge contract
> >that still has three years and $40.5 million remaining are his poison
> >pills.
> >Hawks GM Pete Babcock recently cited character as the primary reason why
> >his
> >team wouldn't trade for Spree. "It's unfair to compare players, but we
>went
> >against our organizational standards to a degree with J. R. Rider a few
> >years
> >ago. We rolled the dice -- we lost big-time on it. We would have to think
> >very hard about bending again."
> >
> >Other teams think it's the combination of his age and contract that's the
> >real problem. In an age of luxury-tax woes, most teams can't afford to
>take
> >on that kind of money. "I thought he really lost a step last year," one
> >team
> >exec told Insider. "He can still put up big games for you, but the
> >intensity
> >was lacking. I thought he was terrible defensively. I know it had a lot
>to
> >do
> >with the tumultuous situation in New York, but you wonder how much longer
> >he's going to be explosive."
> >
> >Ironically, the Knicks would prefer to move Houston, whom they signed to
>an
> >absolutely outrageous deal last summer making him virtually untradeable.
> >His
> >six-year, $100 million contract signed last year will probably be the
>last
> >of
> >its kind. The Knicks bid against themselves and gave Houston $50 million
> >more
> >than anyone else could. "Houston is a good player," another team exec
>said.
> >"But he's way overpaid. The only way the Knicks could move him would be
>to
> >take a massive salary back in return. Right now, they may be willing to
> >take
> >the gamble."
> >
> >Are both players truly untradeable? Insider made some phone calls and put
> >together three trade scenarios for the Knicks that could make some sense.
> >
> >1. Spree or Houston to the Nets for <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3169">Keith
>Van
> >Horn</A>
> >
> >Van Horn was Byron Scott's whipping boy all last season. And, after the
> >Finals, <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3400">Kenyon
> >Martin</A> took a swipe at Van Horn that won't be forgotten. Van
> >Horn is talented, but it looks like he's worn out his welcome in New
> >Jersey.
> >The Nets have been desperately trying to move Van Horn and find some
> >perimeter shooting in the process. While the Nets would prefer Spree, the
> >Knicks are reluctant to let him play in their backyard. The last thing
> >Scott
> >Layden wants to do is trade a fan favorite to the Nets and then watch him
> >become the last piece of the puzzle in the Nets' quest for a
>championship.
> >That leaves Houston, who may be a better fit in New Jersey anyway.
>Spree's
> >game is based on handling the ball and improvisation. That wouldn't
>really
> >be
> >possible with <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2625">Jason
> >Kidd</A> controlling things. Houston is more one dimensional,
> >but he'd be the best shooter on the team. Outside shooting was the Nets'
> >Achilles heel last season and Houston may be the best (and most
>expensive)
> >solution available. The move would afford <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3523">Richard
> >Jefferson</A> a chance to start
> >at the three, where he excelled in Boston at the summer league. While Van
> >Horn isn't the answer to all the Knicks' problems, he's young, has size,
>is
> >a
> >good perimeter shooter and has a tie to Utah (a must for Layden). The
>trade
> >would also allow Spree to move back to his natural shooting guard
>position,
> >and give the Knicks a lot of flexibility on what sets they run. If the
> >Knicks
> >can figure out a way to land a point guard, the N.Y. Daily News is
> >reporting
> >that the Knicks are after <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1308">Nick
>Van
> >Exel</A> again, and then a big man like Keon
> >Clark or Wang Zhi Zhi via free agency, they'd have a contender.The deal,
> >financially, wouldn't be as egregious as you think for the Nets.
>Houston's
> >contract is only one year longer than Van Horn's. If the Knicks were to
> >assume <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3087">Jamie
> >Feick</A>'s terrible contract as part of the trade, the numbers
> >basically add up for the next four seasons.
> >
> >2. Spree or Houston to the Blazers for <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3009">Damon
> >Stoudamire</A>
> >
> >The Knicks have flirted with Stoudamire for some time. He isn't the
>answer
> >to
> >all of their problems at point guard, but he's the sort of high-energy
> >player
> >Don Chaney is looking for to push the Knicks into a more up-tempo style.
> >Stoudemire's lack of size will be a problem, but the Knicks will still
>have
> >rookie <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3623">Frank
> >Williams</A>, who has the size and defensive tenacity to spell
> >Stoudamire when the match-ups aren't going the Knicks way. Of course, the
> >move would push <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3081">Shandon
> >Anderson</A> into the starting lineup, but with
> >Stoudamire, McDyess and either Spree of Houston on the floor, they'd have
> >plenty of offense. The deal makes sense for the Blazers only because they
> >are
> >desperately trying to dump Stoudamire. The Blazers think his size and
> >scorer's mentality are crippling the team. With so much offensive fire
> >power,
> >they need a bigger playmaker. They're already on the verge of signing
>free
> >agent Jeff McInnis (see below), meaning Stoudamire is expendable. If the
> >team
> >adds Spree or Houston, it also has the flexibility of letting <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3254">Bonzi
> >Wells</A> go.
> >Right now, the Blazers have been stalling on Wells. The team is balking
>on
> >his contract demands (he's looking for around 6 years, $40 million).The
>big
> >question is, who is a better fit for the Blazers? Like the Nets, the
> >Blazers
> >are still desperate for shooting, giving the edge to Houston. Money won't
> >really be a factor. Houston makes a little more than Stoudamire, and has
> >two
> >more years left on his contract, but since when did that ever stop the
> >Blazers?
> >
> >3. Spree to the Suns for <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1274">Penny
> >Hardaway</A>
> >
> >This would be the biggest gamble for the Knicks, but it does make some
> >sense.
> >Hardaway came into the league playing point guard and would be a nice
> >answer
> >to the Knicks' woes at the point if he was willing to make the switch and
> >if
> >the Knicks determined he was healthy. The Suns are pulling out all the
> >stops
> >to move Hardaway after he bumped heads all season with point guard <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3099">Stephon
> >Marbury</A>. The Suns would have a logjam at the two, with <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3520">Joe
> >Johnson</A> and <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3620">Casey
> >Jacobsen</A> waiting in the wings, but the addition of Spree, along with
> >Marbury
> >and <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3332">Shawn
> >Marion</A>, would put this team back in the playoff hunt out West.As
> >far as money goes, the two contracts are almost identical, but the Suns
> >would
> >actually get a little cap relief. Spree's contract is up in the summer of
> >2005. Hardaway's nightmare isn't over until the summer of 2006.
> >
> > >Layden pointing toward Van Exel</A>
> >Mitch Lawrence / New York Daily News
> > >Cavs Trade Miller in a Deal for Miles</A>
> >Chris Broussard / New York Times
> >
> >Blazers, T-Wolves duke it out for Jeff McInnis
> >
> >Free agent Jeff McInnis' tenure with the Clippers officially came to an
>end
> >Tuesday when L.A. traded for point guard <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3331">Andre
> >Miller</A>. While it was already a
> >foregone conclusion that McInnis wouldn't be back, the Clippers' trade
>puts
> >some closure on things.
> >
> >With several big teams in desperate need of a point guard, McInnis
>thought
> >he'd be one of the picks of the litter in this year's free-agent class.
> >McInnis put up career numbers in points (14.6 ppg) and assists (6.4 apg)
> >last
> >year. His 3.4 assist-to-turnover ratio was the seventh best in the
>league.
> >He
> >ranked ahead of such stalwarts as <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2625">Jason
> >Kidd</A>, <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3245">Mike
> >Bibby</A>, <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3326">Baron
> >Davis</A> and <A
> >HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3103">
> >Steve Nash</A>. And McInnis, at 6-foot-4, has the size teams covet at the
> >point.
> >
> >Still, like most free agents, McInnis has had a rough go of it. Rumors
> >about
> >his selfishness and problems getting along with the rest of the young
> >Clippers have swirled through the league, and teams have laughed at his
> >demands of a six-year, $35 million contract.
> >
> >However, it looks like McInnis may be getting close to finding a home.
> >League
> >sources told Insider Tuesday night that McInnis was close to completing a
> >multi-year deal with the Blazers. Specific terms of the contract were
> >unavailable, but it is believed to be something near the $4.5 mid-level
> >exception. Signing McInnis would lead to the benching of starting point
> >guard
> ><A
>HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3009">Damon
> >Stoudamire</A>, souces told Insider. While the move is sure to bring
> >discord, the Blazers feel they have to find a bigger, better playmaker
>who
> >can distribute to the teams top scorers and keep the turnovers down.
> >
> >What's holding things up? According to one source, the Timberwolves came
> >into
> >the picture with an offer last week and McInnis spent some time trying to
> >decide between the two deals.
> >
> >Houston makes a pitch to Rashard Lewis
> >
> >There still aren't any major developments to report in the ongoing
>Rashard
> >Lewis "Show me the money" world tour.
> >
> >Rockets GM Carroll Dawson met with Lewis' agent, Carl Poston, on Tuesday,
> >but
> >the Rockets did not make an offer, the Houston Chronicle reported.
> >
> >The Rockets are interested in Lewis, but would likely have to pull off a
> >sign-and-trade to do it, a league source told Insider late Tuesday night.
> >According to the source, Lewis is only considering taking the mid-level
> >exception from the Mavericks. If he were to decide to play for the
>Rockets,
> >or the Bulls, for that matter, it would only be via a sign-and-trade. "I
> >think at this point he trusts that Mark Cuban would take care of him down
> >the
> >line," the source told Insider. "With the other teams, especially
>Houston,
> >I
> >think he wants to see the money up front. With that said, Houston
>probably
> >has enough talent to swing a deal and make everyone happy."
> >
> >If Lewis signed a big contract via sign-and-trade, he'd become a
>base-year
> >player, however. That means that the Sonics could only take back half of
> >Lewis' starting salary. To make the numbers work, the teams would have to
> >make the trade large enough to make up the difference or include a third
> >team
> >to get the numbers to work right. Meanwhile, Cuban still hasn't received
>an
> >indication when he'll get a commitment — or a rejection — from Lewis.
> >
> >"All I know is we're still in the running," Cuban told the Dallas Morning
> >News.
> >
> > >Dawson has informal visit with Lewis' agent</A>
> >Jonathan Feigen / Houston Chronicle
> > >LaFrentz signs 7-year, $69 million deal with Mavs</A>
> >Marc Stein / Dallas Morning News
> >
> >Keon Clark blows it
> >
> >Remember how Insider kept writing that teams were shying away from free
> >agent
> >Keon Clark because of off-the-court concerns? Well, it looks like the
> >teams'
> >concerns weren't that far fetched.
> >
> >Clark was cited for marijuana possession in his hometown, Danville, Ill.,
> >on
> >Sunday after police found about a gram in his car, city attorney David
> >Wesner
> >told the Orlando Sentinel. Wesner also said Clark was cited for a similar
> >offense two years ago. The fine for the offense will likely be $1,500.
>But,
> >Clark's bust will likely cost him millions on the free-agent market. The
> >Orlando Sentinel is already reporting that the revelation will likely end
> >the
> >Magic's courtship of Clark. Other teams with interest will now use the
> >offense as a bargaining chip to push Clark off his demands for a six-year
> >contract starting at $4.5 million.
> >
> >Drug problems will scare away most of the teams looking at Clark,
> >especially
> >those pressed up against the luxury tax. If that doesn't do it, Clark's
> >lack
> >of intelligence ought to be the last nail in the coffin. We know many
> >players
> >in the league smoke weed. But to be driving around with it in your car
> >while
> >your agent is burning up the phone lines trying to convince teams that
> >you're
> >a good guy -- well, that's your brain on drugs.
> >
> > >Magic's target draws citation</A>
> >Jerry Brewer / Orlando Sentinel
> >
> >Here comes Michael Jordan
> >
> >It looks like, once again, all of those rumors of Michael Jordan's
>imminent
> >demise have been greatly exaggerated.
> >
> >According to the Chicago Sun Times, Jordan, 39, has resumed workouts at
>an
> >undisclosed location in preparation for another season with the Wizards.
> >
> >"He's already started working out gradually in strictest privacy," a
>source
> >told the Sun Times, "because he's still not exactly sure about what he's
> >going to do until he's confident about his [surgically repaired right]
> >knee,
> >and he doesn't want to encourage crowds like those that often came to
> >[Hoops
> >The Gym] last summer. He said that at times it was like a zoo. So he
>wants
> >to
> >keep everything low-key until he decides what he'll do."
> >
> > >Stars pull for MJ</A>
> >Lacy J. Banks / Chicago Sun-Times
> >
> >Writers Bloc: More trade fallout
> >
> >It was the tale of two cities Tuesday as L.A. and Cleveland buzzed about
> >the
> >trade that sent Andre Miller to the Clippers for Darius Miles. It was
>also
> >the tale of two Web sites. <A
> >HREF="http://www.nba.com/clippers/">Clippers.com</A> replaced its usual
> >banner with a big
> >sign that said "Welcome Home, Andre." There were photos of Miller wearing
>a
> >Clippers uniform and a nice section with quotes from several NBA coaches
> >about how good Miller really is. It was first class, something you never
> >quite get used to when you're dealing with the Clipps.
> >
> ><A HREF="http://www.nba.com/cavs/">Cavs.com</A>, not to be outdone, put
>up
> >a small picture of Darius Miles in a Cavs
> >uniform. Then, inexplicably, about an hour later it was replaced by the
> >banner with huge words that read, "What colors do you want the Cavs to
>wear
> >for the 2003-2004 season?" That's right folks, just one hour after
>trading
> >their best player for one of the more exciting players in Cavs history,
> >they
> >buried the story behind a poll asking you what set of ugly colors
>(they're
> >all hideous) you'd like to Cavs to wear in two years.
> >
> >Small digression there. Back to the writers bloc.L.A. Daily News
>columnist
> >Steve Dilbeck writes that GM Elgin Baylor has done his job. Now it's up
>to
> >Donald Sterling to do his. "This could all be a wondrous one-year wonder.
> >Donald has repeatedly said, when it was the right player, he would spend.
> >He
> >would sign a player to a long-term, big-salaried contract. Honest. Time
>to
> >prove to your fans, organization and players, you mean it. Trouble is, so
> >many "right" players are coming around the bend at the same time, he's in
>a
> >fix."
> >
> >Akron Beacon Journal writer Terry Pluto thinks that GM Jim Paxson has
> >finally
> >put his stamp on the Cavs. While his moves will definitely lead to a more
> >exciting brand of basketball, will it ever lead to wins? "This collection
> >of
> >young guns will be a challenge for John Lucas, as the coach will need at
> >least three basketballs in some games to keep everyone happy. He is
>begging
> >Paxson to deliver a point guard (How about free-agent Earl Boykins?) to
> >bring
> >some order. He also must ship forward Lamond Murray elsewhere, as he
>shoots
> >too much and won't fit in with this crew.
> >
> >Let's face it, the Cavs have been drabber than their bland blue uniforms,
> >which also are being junked in favor of colors to be voted on by the
>fans.
> >
> >With Miles and Wagner in town, suddenly there's a little sizzle and
>spice.
> >It's about time.
> >
> >And Boston Globe columnist Michael Holley is still in a hangover over the
> >Vin
> >Baker trade.
> >
> >"I continue to wrestle because things could work out, basketballwise.
>Baker
> >could dominate again inside, Pierce could continue his inside-outside
> >mastery, and Antoine Walker could return to town with a consistent mid
> >range
> >game. They all could share the ball beautifully, and
> >Battie-Baker-Walker-Pierce could become one of the most effective
>quartets
> >in
> >the East. But, needlessly, the Celtics went away from what they knew they
> >had
> >and went with something they could have, if their world spins perfectly.
> >They
> >traded picks in the winter so they could win in the spring. That's good.
> >They
> >made a trade this summer so they can save a few cents in the fall. That's
> >ridiculous."
> >
> > >Price high for Clippers talent</A>
> >Steve Dilbeck / Los Angeles Daily News
> > >Bam! Paxson adds pinch of spice</A>
> >Terry Pluto / Akron Beacon Journal
> > >Baker: It still doesn't compute</A>
> >Michael Holley / Boston Globe
> >
> >Peep Show
> >
> >Mavs: Free-agent center Raef LaFrentz ended up getting a little bit
>bigger
> >deal than what was first reported. LaFrentz signed a seven-year, $69
> >million
> >deal with the Mavs on Monday. "We weren't paying for Raef's numbers,"
>owner
> >Mark Cuban told the Dallas Morning News. "We're paying for the part he
>can
> >play in winning a championship."
> >
> >Knicks: It looks like the reports out of the N.Y. Daily News Monday, that
> >free-agent center Michael Doleac had agreed to a two-year, $2.9 million
> >contract with the Knicks for the veteran's exception were premature. The
> >N.Y.
> >Post is reporting today that the signing will still happen, but that the
> >deal
> >will be for three years, $7.5 million. If that's the case, the Knicks
>will
> >have to use a significant portion of their mid-level exception to bring
>in
> >Doleac.
> >
> >Nets: The team has come to terms with free-agent point guard Chris
>Childs,
> >the N.Y. Post reported. The deal is for two years, $3.5 million. They'll
> >likely sign the contract some time this week.
> >
> >Bulls: The team agreed to a one-year deal with veteran Corie Blount, the
> >Chicago Sun Times reported. The Bulls are expected to sign the
>33-year-old
> >free-agent forward today to a one-year contract for the $1.4 million
> >salary-cap exception. Last year, the Bulls tried Charles Oakley in the
>role
> >of mentor and it blew up in their face. Blount is seen as a safer option.
> >According to the Sun Times, Krause is also looking at bringing in a
> >free-agent small forward via free agency. Matt Harpring and Rashard Lewis
> >are
> >reportedly at the top of their list.
> >
> >Cavs: Injury-riddled center DeSagana Diop is hurt again. Diop underwent
> >arthroscopic surgery Tuesday on his right knee. He said it will take five
> >weeks to heal, enabling him to be ready for training camp in October.
> >Conditioning might be hampered for Diop, saddled last season with foot
>and
> >knee injuries. He has lost 25 pounds since April. "I don't think my
>weight
> >will go up," he told the Akron Beacon Journal. "I'm eating well."
> >
> > >LaFrentz signs 7-year, $69 million deal with Mavs</A>
> >Marc Stein / Dallas Morning News
> > >Childs Set; Doleac Not</A>
> >Fred Kerber / New York Post
> > >He's back: Bulls to sign Blount</A>
> >Roman Modrowski / Chicago Sun-Times
> > >Diop dropped by knee injury, should be OK by camp</A>
> >Chris Tomasson / Akron Beacon Journal
>
>
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
>
>
>
>Boston Celtics' fans; looking for inspiration,intellect and humor.
>
>Subscribe: Celticsstuffgroup-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
>Home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Celticsstuffgroup
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>




_________________________________________________________________
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com