http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/1109nbacol1109.html
Trial makes trade risky
Nov. 9, 2003 12:00 AM
Let's see. Kobe Bryant is headed to Chicago, Miami, San Antonio, Orlando, Memphis, Dallas or just down the hallway at the Staples Center to the Clippers.
All Bryant had to do was cite Shaquille O'Neal's "childlike" behavior as a possible reason to leave when he opts out of his contract at the end of the season and the floodgates at Rumor Central opened up.
Normally, this would make perfect sense. But Bryant is facing the likelihood of a sexual assault trial at about the time he becomes a free agent. Who is going to want to sign him until they know the outcome of that trial?
As for the more immediate concern - the likelihood of a trade before he opts out - who would be willing to give up anything of value along the lines of, say, Tracy McGrady for a player who could be sitting behind bars this time next year?
Even when Lakers owner Jerry Buss tried to quell the growing speculation surrounding Bryant's future by declaring, "I'm not about to trade my son," it did nothing to slow the momentum.
Of course, that could be because everybody knows you don't become as wealthy as Buss without being willing not only to trade your son, but also to sell his assets and sign his soul over to Lucifer.
Still, in case Bryant is found guilty, there are a couple of suggested destinations that make sense.
Denver: If Bryant is convicted in Colorado, maybe the Nuggets could work out a work-release arrangement. It's an easy commute from Canon City.
Milwaukee: Surely a reasonable judge would see that every winter spent living in Wisconsin counts as time served.
Blazing a familiar trail
It didn't take long for the Portland Trail Blazers to begin breaking management's "25-point pledge" to fans for better behavior management.
Bonzi Wells was fined for flipping an obscene gesture toward two heckling fans.
Wells actually told Portland reporters later, "You know, if that fan was a little more professional, you know, I probably wouldn't have put myself in this position."
When a reporter told Wells his explanations would go over well with fans, he replied, "You're not going to bait me into doing something or saying something ********."
Who needs bait?
Then there was Derek Anderson, out with back spasms, who got into a spat with coach Maurice Cheeks.
And Rasheed Wallace has refused interview requests, reportedly another violation of the "pledge."
The game after Wells' gesture, the Blazers drew 14,634 to the 19,980-seat Rose Garden - their smallest-ever crowd there.
Is there any wonder why?
Rim shots
Indiana's Ron Artest, after limiting Carmelo Anthony to two points: "I get up for everybody. I played my son today in the back yard, and I didn't let him score."
Ron Artest III is 4 years old.
"He scored two points," his dad admitted. "He tripped me and scored. He's flagrant fouling, too. Ridiculous."
• Kings coach Rick Adelman accidentally stuck an elbow into the ribs of his center, Vlade Divac, during a recent game against Minnesota.
The Serbian center, tongue in cheek, expressed outrage: "I'm going to sue. I've been in this country long enough to know that's how people get money: Find some reason and sue."
Trial makes trade risky
Nov. 9, 2003 12:00 AM
Let's see. Kobe Bryant is headed to Chicago, Miami, San Antonio, Orlando, Memphis, Dallas or just down the hallway at the Staples Center to the Clippers.
All Bryant had to do was cite Shaquille O'Neal's "childlike" behavior as a possible reason to leave when he opts out of his contract at the end of the season and the floodgates at Rumor Central opened up.
Normally, this would make perfect sense. But Bryant is facing the likelihood of a sexual assault trial at about the time he becomes a free agent. Who is going to want to sign him until they know the outcome of that trial?
As for the more immediate concern - the likelihood of a trade before he opts out - who would be willing to give up anything of value along the lines of, say, Tracy McGrady for a player who could be sitting behind bars this time next year?
Even when Lakers owner Jerry Buss tried to quell the growing speculation surrounding Bryant's future by declaring, "I'm not about to trade my son," it did nothing to slow the momentum.
Of course, that could be because everybody knows you don't become as wealthy as Buss without being willing not only to trade your son, but also to sell his assets and sign his soul over to Lucifer.
Still, in case Bryant is found guilty, there are a couple of suggested destinations that make sense.
Denver: If Bryant is convicted in Colorado, maybe the Nuggets could work out a work-release arrangement. It's an easy commute from Canon City.
Milwaukee: Surely a reasonable judge would see that every winter spent living in Wisconsin counts as time served.
Blazing a familiar trail
It didn't take long for the Portland Trail Blazers to begin breaking management's "25-point pledge" to fans for better behavior management.
Bonzi Wells was fined for flipping an obscene gesture toward two heckling fans.
Wells actually told Portland reporters later, "You know, if that fan was a little more professional, you know, I probably wouldn't have put myself in this position."
When a reporter told Wells his explanations would go over well with fans, he replied, "You're not going to bait me into doing something or saying something ********."
Who needs bait?
Then there was Derek Anderson, out with back spasms, who got into a spat with coach Maurice Cheeks.
And Rasheed Wallace has refused interview requests, reportedly another violation of the "pledge."
The game after Wells' gesture, the Blazers drew 14,634 to the 19,980-seat Rose Garden - their smallest-ever crowd there.
Is there any wonder why?
Rim shots
Indiana's Ron Artest, after limiting Carmelo Anthony to two points: "I get up for everybody. I played my son today in the back yard, and I didn't let him score."
Ron Artest III is 4 years old.
"He scored two points," his dad admitted. "He tripped me and scored. He's flagrant fouling, too. Ridiculous."
• Kings coach Rick Adelman accidentally stuck an elbow into the ribs of his center, Vlade Divac, during a recent game against Minnesota.
The Serbian center, tongue in cheek, expressed outrage: "I'm going to sue. I've been in this country long enough to know that's how people get money: Find some reason and sue."
