http://nypost.com/sports/38952.htm
BACK'S TO THE WALL by Peter Vecsey
I SURRENDER: Although Baron Davis is miserable in New Orleans, the Hornets will have a hard time trading the guard because of his balky back and big contract. AP
January 21, 2005 -- BARON Davis has a treacherous back (that requires surgery, I'm told, and prevents him from practicing when all other body parts are functioning normally), a ghastly contract ($62.9 million guaranteed — fully protected, no exemptions — over the next four seasons) and unsavory shot selection.
Additionally, the Hornets guard is decidedly unhappy about still being a Hornets guard.
As Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady have attested (and qualified, in T-Mac's case, anyway) such dejection can sometimes result in certain family members not giving their all.
If that's not enough negativity to asphyxiate interest in acquiring Davis, may I present the definitive deal breaker: According to a West Coast source, Davis' back is not covered by insurance.
Meaning the Hornets couldn't buy any (to alleviate the risk of a pre-existing condition) when they maxed out his contract three years ago, yet G-ed him up anyhow.
Meaning if the often-overweight Davis is forced to retire prematurely due to back problems, his team at the time will be left holding a bag of Benjamins.
Considering the wear and tear on Davis' legs, ankles and back at an early age (26 on April 13) and his physical defects in going forward, why would any team, no matter how much mad money an owner may have, take that gamble? At best, you're not going to get what you once saw in him, especially for a full schedule.
For a while there, over the last decade or so, owners and GMs all but allowed numerous maxed-out All-Stars to get away with being complementary pieces, for losing teams in many instances. Not anymore. Wanting to get paid like Da Man but being unable to come through like Da Man is out of fashion.
These days, with a new Collective Bargaining Agreement looming and the NBA looking to shrink guarantees, if a player wants to be royally compensated he had better be capable of carrying a franchise to the playoffs and beyond, or not even bother to ask.
*
It's amusing to read how David Falk could impact Jalen Rose's possible trade to the Knicks because of the agent's established feud with Isiah Thomas. Not only does Arn Tellem now represent Rose, but also sources disclose he's been intimately involved in negotiations with the Raptors in an effort to get his client moved, New York being a prime objective.
Carlos Arroyo, reduced to fourth point status (DNP-coach's decision, four straight games) for not conforming to Jerry Sloan's team concept and refusing to back off his macho stance, will be traded, but positively not to the Clippers. Look for the Pistons to get him today for Elden Campbell and a future first-round pick.
*
Despite denials out of Boston, the Celtics' intentions regarding rising free agent Antoine Walker are indeed honorable. They also can provide enough expiring and humble contracts to meet trade requirements. The snags? The Hawks demand rookie Al Jefferson or a first-round pick be included in the mix. It appears that's not going to happen. Ownership has expressed its unwillingness to re-sign Walker. As always, the Knicks are angling to turn this into a three-way affair where they wind up cuddling with Walker.
Should the Celtics fail to make any kind of a vivid addition or subtraction (Paul Pierce is liable to be relocated no matter what management mouths) by the Feb. 24 trad ing deadline, Danny Ainge, his trigger finger twitchin' like never before, is almost required to trade Gary Payton while he can still get something for his free agent-in-waiting.
*
So much for the Age of Aquarius, where Jupiter aligns with Mars, it's high time for the Knicks to align with a division they can win. Dead Team Walking, which begins a four-game home stand tonight against the Rockettes before embarking on a six-game roadie, is a lock to get the better of no one . . . except, of course, ticket holders.
They don't make the key shot or, at the very least, the key stop, once a franchise trademark. I don't want to suggest Lenny Wilkens may be on borrowed time, but Dick Helm is no longer taking his calls.
*
So, a guide dog relieved itself in Orlando on the court Tuesday prior to the second half of Pistons-Magic. I couldn't help but think it was the opening act of McGrady's return to Disney last night. T-Mac, by the way, accused the pooch of "slacking off."
If nothing else, the setting of the Suns since Steve Nash (averaging 15.2 points, a league-leading 10.9 assists and 51.6 percent from the floor) was sidelined (thigh, back injuries) has permitted me to cast my MVP vote months earlier than usual. The Suns have lost five in a row while playing without their guide dog for essentially the last four and gone from putting up ABA-like numbers scoring 83, 80 and 79 in three of those four. Hosting the Spurs tonight they're hoping either Nash gets healthy in a hurry or San Antonio gets Stephon Marbury.
-----------------------
Someone else reported on here that Chad Ford said the Hornets offered the Pacers Davis for Artest, Tinsley, and Bender. If what Vecsey is saying is true that qualifies as the dumbest trade offer I've ever heard.
BACK'S TO THE WALL by Peter Vecsey
I SURRENDER: Although Baron Davis is miserable in New Orleans, the Hornets will have a hard time trading the guard because of his balky back and big contract. AP
January 21, 2005 -- BARON Davis has a treacherous back (that requires surgery, I'm told, and prevents him from practicing when all other body parts are functioning normally), a ghastly contract ($62.9 million guaranteed — fully protected, no exemptions — over the next four seasons) and unsavory shot selection.
Additionally, the Hornets guard is decidedly unhappy about still being a Hornets guard.
As Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady have attested (and qualified, in T-Mac's case, anyway) such dejection can sometimes result in certain family members not giving their all.
If that's not enough negativity to asphyxiate interest in acquiring Davis, may I present the definitive deal breaker: According to a West Coast source, Davis' back is not covered by insurance.
Meaning the Hornets couldn't buy any (to alleviate the risk of a pre-existing condition) when they maxed out his contract three years ago, yet G-ed him up anyhow.
Meaning if the often-overweight Davis is forced to retire prematurely due to back problems, his team at the time will be left holding a bag of Benjamins.
Considering the wear and tear on Davis' legs, ankles and back at an early age (26 on April 13) and his physical defects in going forward, why would any team, no matter how much mad money an owner may have, take that gamble? At best, you're not going to get what you once saw in him, especially for a full schedule.
For a while there, over the last decade or so, owners and GMs all but allowed numerous maxed-out All-Stars to get away with being complementary pieces, for losing teams in many instances. Not anymore. Wanting to get paid like Da Man but being unable to come through like Da Man is out of fashion.
These days, with a new Collective Bargaining Agreement looming and the NBA looking to shrink guarantees, if a player wants to be royally compensated he had better be capable of carrying a franchise to the playoffs and beyond, or not even bother to ask.
*
It's amusing to read how David Falk could impact Jalen Rose's possible trade to the Knicks because of the agent's established feud with Isiah Thomas. Not only does Arn Tellem now represent Rose, but also sources disclose he's been intimately involved in negotiations with the Raptors in an effort to get his client moved, New York being a prime objective.
Carlos Arroyo, reduced to fourth point status (DNP-coach's decision, four straight games) for not conforming to Jerry Sloan's team concept and refusing to back off his macho stance, will be traded, but positively not to the Clippers. Look for the Pistons to get him today for Elden Campbell and a future first-round pick.
*
Despite denials out of Boston, the Celtics' intentions regarding rising free agent Antoine Walker are indeed honorable. They also can provide enough expiring and humble contracts to meet trade requirements. The snags? The Hawks demand rookie Al Jefferson or a first-round pick be included in the mix. It appears that's not going to happen. Ownership has expressed its unwillingness to re-sign Walker. As always, the Knicks are angling to turn this into a three-way affair where they wind up cuddling with Walker.
Should the Celtics fail to make any kind of a vivid addition or subtraction (Paul Pierce is liable to be relocated no matter what management mouths) by the Feb. 24 trad ing deadline, Danny Ainge, his trigger finger twitchin' like never before, is almost required to trade Gary Payton while he can still get something for his free agent-in-waiting.
*
So much for the Age of Aquarius, where Jupiter aligns with Mars, it's high time for the Knicks to align with a division they can win. Dead Team Walking, which begins a four-game home stand tonight against the Rockettes before embarking on a six-game roadie, is a lock to get the better of no one . . . except, of course, ticket holders.
They don't make the key shot or, at the very least, the key stop, once a franchise trademark. I don't want to suggest Lenny Wilkens may be on borrowed time, but Dick Helm is no longer taking his calls.
*
So, a guide dog relieved itself in Orlando on the court Tuesday prior to the second half of Pistons-Magic. I couldn't help but think it was the opening act of McGrady's return to Disney last night. T-Mac, by the way, accused the pooch of "slacking off."
If nothing else, the setting of the Suns since Steve Nash (averaging 15.2 points, a league-leading 10.9 assists and 51.6 percent from the floor) was sidelined (thigh, back injuries) has permitted me to cast my MVP vote months earlier than usual. The Suns have lost five in a row while playing without their guide dog for essentially the last four and gone from putting up ABA-like numbers scoring 83, 80 and 79 in three of those four. Hosting the Spurs tonight they're hoping either Nash gets healthy in a hurry or San Antonio gets Stephon Marbury.
-----------------------
Someone else reported on here that Chad Ford said the Hornets offered the Pacers Davis for Artest, Tinsley, and Bender. If what Vecsey is saying is true that qualifies as the dumbest trade offer I've ever heard.
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