This makes me sick, sick to my stomach. Remember those rumors that came out Tuesday night about a half hour after the Peja deal fell through. Well if you believe Vescey, the Warriors were ready to increase their offer. Greg Rakestraw mentioned this Tuesday night also.
I would much, much, much rather have Diogu and Dunleavy right now than Peja. That is what the Warriors were going to offer, and that is what the Pacers had demanded.
I think I'm going to get sick
http://www.nypost.com/php/pfriendly/pfriendly_new.php
STINGING INDICTMENT
By PETER VECSEY
CONGRATULATIONS to Chris Andersen for becoming the first Developmental League player banned from the NBA for substance abuse. He's also the first since Stanley Roberts (Class of '99) to be deported for getting caught with drugs in his system, and we're not talking about marijuana, we're talking a killer drug — heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, something like that.
By rule, the Hornets' hippie is expelled for at least two seasons. However, the league office can show leniency if it's determined Andersen used the drugs because Kendra Davis may have been in danger.
A Warriors' baller claims Baron Davis rarely does anything asked of him by Mike Montgomery. His improvised playbook often excludes everyone except Jason Richardson and himself. That, in some measure, explains Golden State's uninspiring 19-23 record. Another determining factor, notes another source, is the college coach's incapacity to relate to pro players, or even remember their names in some cases. Montgomery appears on course to become the league's next head coaching casualty. Not to be outdone by his not-quite-namesake, Isaiah Rider was arrested by Marin (Calif.) County police Thursday and charged with kidnapping and battery.
Seems our old friend J(ust) R(eleased) was arguing with an unidentified female acquaintance and drove off with her, without getting her expressed written consent. Proud owner of an outstanding Alameda (Calif..) County warrant for resisting arrest, Rider was indeed released on $2 million bail. Rider, who last played in the league for the Nuggets in '01, appeared in court Friday without entering a plea or a lawyer. He also had community-oriented time with the Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, Hawks and Lakers.
By my count, Rider remains the only player to conclude his career averaging double figures in the all-important three P's: points, pot and possession of stolen goods.
This just in: Isiah Thomas thanked Hillary for standing behind him.
I find it amusing there wasn't so much as a peep out of Shaq following the Heat's home surrender to the Suns, a mismatch that saw him get a mere 11 field- goal attempts as well as a merger four free-throw tries.
While recognizing Phoenix had two dwarfs alongside the 7-story O'Neal most of the evening, and its strategy was to challenge Dwayne Wade and Udonis Haslem to beat the Suns from outside, you know damn well had Stan Van Gundy been coaching instead of you-know-who, Shaq's Squaw Box would still be pulsating off the hook.
A half-hour after the Ron Artest-Peja Stojakovic trade fell apart Tuesday, the Pacers and Warriors reconnected and vowed to get something done the next day if Sacramento terminated the deal altogether.
Despite being unable to get anybody from St. John's or Indiana to recommend Artest ("T.O. times three," is how an ex-Pacer brands him) sources say Golden State boss Chris Mullin was prepared to take the gamble. His only requirement was to meet with Artest one-on-one before meeting the Pacers' demand for Ike Diogu, Mike Dunleavy or Troy Murphy in a four-player package.
Artest should fit in very well in Sacramento (as long as Mike Bibby includes him in the offense; Peja was often left out and he wasn't alone). Coupled with the governor, that's two people in the capital no one understands.
Before we go, let's give props to last Tuesday's under-the-radar round-up (domestic violence) of former Knick and current Sixer Lee Nailon.
According to my calculations, Nailon has been in the league six seasons and it's the first charge he's taken.
Nailon was arrested by police in Lower Merion, Pa., where Kobe went to high school. Symmetry — it's a wonderful thing.
And what of those bounced Babcocks? A scant one day after the Raptors relieved GM Rob of his responsibilities, Player Personnel man Pete was also shown the showers.
Fascinatingly, the reason management gave when Rob Babcock was booted ("We never should have hired someone with such limited experience") was the same fresh-faced logic used when he was first given the gig.
Apparently, after 18 months of working with Rob, CEO Richard Peddie concluded Rob didn't have the leadership skills to lead a basketball operations department or credibility around the league to advance the team beyond where it is currently.
Once ownership established Rob would be fired, it felt it'd be disingenuous to keep him around until the end of the season when he could seek employment with another team's staff.
"Decisions regarding Jalen Rose, Mike James, perhaps others and first round draft picks, need to be made now (while the Knicks remain interested).
"The feeling was that Rob's not the best guy to be making them," a Toronto source stated, underlining Peddie's confidence in interim GM Wayne Embry, whose experience is vast.
Another motive behind the timing is to make it known around the league the Raptors' vacancy will be there when other GMs are considering their own futures — Nuggets executive Kiki Vandeweghe, for example — when they weigh their options come May, June and July.
In an unrelated matter, Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, despite the best record in the NHL's western conference, has legally changed his last name.
peter.vecsey@nypost.com
I would much, much, much rather have Diogu and Dunleavy right now than Peja. That is what the Warriors were going to offer, and that is what the Pacers had demanded.
I think I'm going to get sick
http://www.nypost.com/php/pfriendly/pfriendly_new.php
STINGING INDICTMENT
By PETER VECSEY
CONGRATULATIONS to Chris Andersen for becoming the first Developmental League player banned from the NBA for substance abuse. He's also the first since Stanley Roberts (Class of '99) to be deported for getting caught with drugs in his system, and we're not talking about marijuana, we're talking a killer drug — heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, something like that.
By rule, the Hornets' hippie is expelled for at least two seasons. However, the league office can show leniency if it's determined Andersen used the drugs because Kendra Davis may have been in danger.
A Warriors' baller claims Baron Davis rarely does anything asked of him by Mike Montgomery. His improvised playbook often excludes everyone except Jason Richardson and himself. That, in some measure, explains Golden State's uninspiring 19-23 record. Another determining factor, notes another source, is the college coach's incapacity to relate to pro players, or even remember their names in some cases. Montgomery appears on course to become the league's next head coaching casualty. Not to be outdone by his not-quite-namesake, Isaiah Rider was arrested by Marin (Calif.) County police Thursday and charged with kidnapping and battery.
Seems our old friend J(ust) R(eleased) was arguing with an unidentified female acquaintance and drove off with her, without getting her expressed written consent. Proud owner of an outstanding Alameda (Calif..) County warrant for resisting arrest, Rider was indeed released on $2 million bail. Rider, who last played in the league for the Nuggets in '01, appeared in court Friday without entering a plea or a lawyer. He also had community-oriented time with the Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, Hawks and Lakers.
By my count, Rider remains the only player to conclude his career averaging double figures in the all-important three P's: points, pot and possession of stolen goods.
This just in: Isiah Thomas thanked Hillary for standing behind him.
I find it amusing there wasn't so much as a peep out of Shaq following the Heat's home surrender to the Suns, a mismatch that saw him get a mere 11 field- goal attempts as well as a merger four free-throw tries.
While recognizing Phoenix had two dwarfs alongside the 7-story O'Neal most of the evening, and its strategy was to challenge Dwayne Wade and Udonis Haslem to beat the Suns from outside, you know damn well had Stan Van Gundy been coaching instead of you-know-who, Shaq's Squaw Box would still be pulsating off the hook.
A half-hour after the Ron Artest-Peja Stojakovic trade fell apart Tuesday, the Pacers and Warriors reconnected and vowed to get something done the next day if Sacramento terminated the deal altogether.
Despite being unable to get anybody from St. John's or Indiana to recommend Artest ("T.O. times three," is how an ex-Pacer brands him) sources say Golden State boss Chris Mullin was prepared to take the gamble. His only requirement was to meet with Artest one-on-one before meeting the Pacers' demand for Ike Diogu, Mike Dunleavy or Troy Murphy in a four-player package.
Artest should fit in very well in Sacramento (as long as Mike Bibby includes him in the offense; Peja was often left out and he wasn't alone). Coupled with the governor, that's two people in the capital no one understands.
Before we go, let's give props to last Tuesday's under-the-radar round-up (domestic violence) of former Knick and current Sixer Lee Nailon.
According to my calculations, Nailon has been in the league six seasons and it's the first charge he's taken.
Nailon was arrested by police in Lower Merion, Pa., where Kobe went to high school. Symmetry — it's a wonderful thing.
And what of those bounced Babcocks? A scant one day after the Raptors relieved GM Rob of his responsibilities, Player Personnel man Pete was also shown the showers.
Fascinatingly, the reason management gave when Rob Babcock was booted ("We never should have hired someone with such limited experience") was the same fresh-faced logic used when he was first given the gig.
Apparently, after 18 months of working with Rob, CEO Richard Peddie concluded Rob didn't have the leadership skills to lead a basketball operations department or credibility around the league to advance the team beyond where it is currently.
Once ownership established Rob would be fired, it felt it'd be disingenuous to keep him around until the end of the season when he could seek employment with another team's staff.
"Decisions regarding Jalen Rose, Mike James, perhaps others and first round draft picks, need to be made now (while the Knicks remain interested).
"The feeling was that Rob's not the best guy to be making them," a Toronto source stated, underlining Peddie's confidence in interim GM Wayne Embry, whose experience is vast.
Another motive behind the timing is to make it known around the league the Raptors' vacancy will be there when other GMs are considering their own futures — Nuggets executive Kiki Vandeweghe, for example — when they weigh their options come May, June and July.
In an unrelated matter, Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, despite the best record in the NHL's western conference, has legally changed his last name.
peter.vecsey@nypost.com
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