Insider - continued........
----------------------------------
Around the League
Speaking of coaches on the hot seat . . .
Several league sources told Insider that Bulls GM John Paxson had brief discussions with former Magic head coach Doc Rivers about the Bulls' head coaching vacancy, but Rivers told Paxson that while he was interested in the job, he wanted to take the season off before taking another head coaching gig.
Rivers would've been the perfect fit for the young Bulls. Too many players had tuned Bill Cartwright out. Rivers is a strong motivator and would've provided a nice change of pace for the Bulls younger players.
With Rivers off the board, Paxson decided that what the Baby Bulls need was an even bigger dose of tough love. Those same sources insisted to Insider Monday night that Scott Skiles was Paxson's top candidate to replace Bill Cartwright. Both the Chicago Tribune and Sun Times are also reporting that Paxson is already negotiating with Skiles over contractual terms.
It's an interesting pick. Skiles is a tough, no-nonsense coach who rubbed players like Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion the wrong way in Phoenix. Skiles quit midway into his third season with the Suns claiming he was burned out.
"I'm an intense guy," Skiles told the Sun Times. "I get here early, I stay late, we work, we try to get it right. It may appear sometimes my frustrations are getting the best of me, but they don't. I'm sure upon reflection, I'll look at some things that I may have done differently, but on the whole, not a lot."
I'm sure Jalen Rose, Eddy Curry and Jamal Crawford are thrilled. While Skiles did put up tangible results in both seasons with the Suns, he did it at the cost of alienating his players. With so many under-performing young players on Chicago's roster, is Paxson risking a mutiny by bringing another hard ass into the locker room? Or does he see this as a temporary fix until Rivers is ready to coach?
"This team is under performing, and we have to find ways to win, period," said Paxson. "I am not satisfied with the team's start, and changes have to be made. This represents the first change, but not necessarily the last."
If Skiles really is anything more than a short-term fix, then you've got to believe Paxson will start moving players The roster is filled with too many distractions. If Paxson thought players were unhappy before, wait until they get a drill sergeant for a head coach.
If Rose and/or Crawford aren't gone by the end of the week, look for fireworks 24/7 in Chicago this season.
Should Ricky Davis pack his bags? The announcement on Monday that Davis wouldn't be joining the Cavs for practice or for the road trip to New Orleans came with little explanation.
Ricky Davis
Guard-Forward
Cleveland Cavaliers
Profile
2003-2004 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
14 15.3 5.9 4.9 .428 .660
"Attitudes have to change, and that's what we're going about doing," coach Paul Silas told reporters after practice on Monday. "It's just some issues I'm dealing with. I've dealt with issues before with guys, and we'll deal with these and move on."
Insider first reported on Nov. 6 that Silas was still struggling with Davis and that Davis was already on the trading block. Speculation that Davis and Michael Stewart were on the verge of being traded reached a frenzy Monday afternoon after the announcement.
So has Davis played his last game as a Cav?
"If I was trying to trade him, he'd be traded," Cavs GM Jim Paxson told the Morning Journal. "Teams are having conversations all the time in ways to help your team. If we have something to announce, we'll announce it. You're not doing your job if you're not pursuing other opportunities with any of your players."
So, there's nothing imminent regarding Davis? "No, I'm not saying that," Paxson said.
When asked if Davis was going to be traded, Silas smiled.
"I'm not going to answer that," he said. "That's all you're going to get out of me. You can ask questions between now and kingdom come and I won't answer them."
Glad that got cleared up.
The tragic news that Alonzo Mourning needs a kidney transplant and must retire was met with shock around the league. While everyone knew that it was a risk that Mourning wouldn't play out his full four-year contract, no one expected his career to be over 12 games into the season.
Mourning's loss might not be felt on the court, but he'll be missed in the locker room. He was the Nets' hardest working player, and the way he pushed himself was an inspiration to his teammates -- with the possible exception of Kenyon Martin.
Martin's dig on Mourning about his kidney condition seems even more offensive (if that's possible) now that Zo needs a transplant.
Martin did his best to apologize on Monday.
"Yeah, I apologized to him. In the heat of the moment you know you say things that you wish you hadn't," Martin told reporters. "No matter if it's basketball or at work, no matter what you're doing you say things you wish you could take back. I apologized to him right afterward. But it still don't take it back that I said it. But I apologized to him; he accepted my apologies."
"It's terrible news, man. He's part of this family. It's terrible. It's a terrible thing. His health and life are more important than basketball," Martin said.
Speaking of basketball, the Nets will essentially get no financial relief from the league because of Mourning's retirement. Mourning's salary is fully guaranteed and was uninsurable because of his pre-existing condition. The team won't be entitled to a "medical exception" (which would give the Nets $4.9 million in salary exceptions to go sign another player) because Mourning's condition was pre-existing when it signed him. The only real relief will come in July of 2005 when Mourning's salary comes off the cap.
Another guy with a history of season-ending injuries told reporters on Monday that he won't follow Mourning's lead and retire. The Magic's Grant Hill claims that his rehab is going well and that he expects to play before the end of the season.
"I want to play this year," Hill said. "I want to play, whether there's five games or 10 games left.
"I'm not rushing to come to the rescue or anything, but I would love to get some games under my belt if I can. Obviously, we have to see where I'm at in this step-by-step process."
-------------------------------
Peep Show
By Terry Brown
NBA Insider
Tuesday, November 25
Updated: November 25
9:19 AM ET
Philadelphia 76ers: It's true. Larry Brown really did coach the Allen Iverson and the Sixers once upon a time. "But he's the enemy now, so that's all you have to look at," Eric Snow said in the Philadelphia Daily News "It's nothing personal. Well, not me, but it may be to some other people. He was the enemy the day he left here, even more of an enemy the day he took the Detroit job. That's the team that put us out of the playoffs. You always want to beat that team; it probably adds a little more incentive to it." So, no hugs, no kisses when Brown returns for the next Pistons-Sixers game? " . . . coming in [our] building, he's the enemy, and that's that," Iverson said. "He's not with us anymore . . . A lot of fans in Philadelphia probably feel betrayed. A lot of people feel hurt. Just like me. I'm hurt, too...I was hurt over the whole thing, too, especially with [Brown's joining] a team that knocked us out of the playoffs."
DavisCleveland Cavaliers: Ira Newble was suspended first. Now, it's Ricky Davis and Michael Stewart. Who's next? "Based on conversations Paul [Silas] and I had, we don't feel it's in our best interests to have them around the team," general manager Jim Paxson said in the Cleveland Plain Dealer after telling reporters that Davis and Stewart would not be traveling with the team. Davis wouldn't elaborate when reached by phone later. "I respect the decision of the organization," he said. "All I want to see is for us to be successful. If the team believes this will help then I support it."
Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce is handing out dresses for any teammates who think they need them. "I think we're one of the softest teams in the league," he told the Boston Globe. "It all comes down to toughness. It just seems when the tough get going, we start running. Teams push us around, we don't push back. We have to get some toughness." He wasn't done just yet. "We just don't understand how to win," he said. "We get leads at the half and we settle on it and don't compete for the rest of the game. I don't want to blame this on us being a young team, and we've just come together, but it's got to get to a point where everybody's on the same page and knows what we have to do to finish ballgames. We're not doing enough sacrificing right now to get over the top."
Seattle SuperSonics: Vladimir Radmanovic hurt his knee Sunday night, but there's a pretty good chance he's going to survive. "I didn't feel it right away," Radmanovic said in the Tacoma Tribune. "When I sat on the bench for the first time, I felt the pain. My knee was locking up. I played the game anyway, but after the game it was more painful." The team performed a precautionary MRI on the knee in question and had the forward sit out practice on Monday. He's expected to play in the next game.
Washington Wizards: Chris Whitney isn't trying to be confused with Magic Johnson or Oscar Robertson. He just wants to play a little point guard while Gilbert Arenas rests the strained muscle in his abdomen for the next two games. "I've been in this situation before, playing behind a great point guard," said Whitney in the Washington Times. "Now it's Gilbert. I don't go out there and try to do things that I don't do. Those guys are special. I just go out there and try to play the game the right way."
MercerSan Antonio Spurs: Ron Mercer is almost ready to return to the lineup after injuring his right foot and missing the last eight games. But are the Spurs ready for him? "It's going to be like almost starting over," Mercer said in the San Antonio Express News. "I have to get back in there and get used to certain things, get in a rhythm. It will be tough." But he'll have a little help. "For the most part, we're getting healthy," Rose said. "But what's more important is we're getting more comfortable with each other."
New York Knicks: You knew this was going to happen sooner or later. "We miss his energy, for sure," head coach Don Chaney said of Latrell Sprewell in the N.Y. Post. "He had great energy. And one thing I know we miss is his passing. He made some great passes. He hit guys who were open. He was a great passer." But that doesn't mean Keith Van Horn isn't carving out his own niche. "Fans have been really good," Van Horn said. "I love playing at the Garden. The situation has worked out well. I knew once I got the opportunity to show them what I can do, they'd appreciate the type of player I am."
----------------------------------
Around the League
Speaking of coaches on the hot seat . . .
Several league sources told Insider that Bulls GM John Paxson had brief discussions with former Magic head coach Doc Rivers about the Bulls' head coaching vacancy, but Rivers told Paxson that while he was interested in the job, he wanted to take the season off before taking another head coaching gig.
Rivers would've been the perfect fit for the young Bulls. Too many players had tuned Bill Cartwright out. Rivers is a strong motivator and would've provided a nice change of pace for the Bulls younger players.
With Rivers off the board, Paxson decided that what the Baby Bulls need was an even bigger dose of tough love. Those same sources insisted to Insider Monday night that Scott Skiles was Paxson's top candidate to replace Bill Cartwright. Both the Chicago Tribune and Sun Times are also reporting that Paxson is already negotiating with Skiles over contractual terms.
It's an interesting pick. Skiles is a tough, no-nonsense coach who rubbed players like Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion the wrong way in Phoenix. Skiles quit midway into his third season with the Suns claiming he was burned out.
"I'm an intense guy," Skiles told the Sun Times. "I get here early, I stay late, we work, we try to get it right. It may appear sometimes my frustrations are getting the best of me, but they don't. I'm sure upon reflection, I'll look at some things that I may have done differently, but on the whole, not a lot."
I'm sure Jalen Rose, Eddy Curry and Jamal Crawford are thrilled. While Skiles did put up tangible results in both seasons with the Suns, he did it at the cost of alienating his players. With so many under-performing young players on Chicago's roster, is Paxson risking a mutiny by bringing another hard ass into the locker room? Or does he see this as a temporary fix until Rivers is ready to coach?
"This team is under performing, and we have to find ways to win, period," said Paxson. "I am not satisfied with the team's start, and changes have to be made. This represents the first change, but not necessarily the last."
If Skiles really is anything more than a short-term fix, then you've got to believe Paxson will start moving players The roster is filled with too many distractions. If Paxson thought players were unhappy before, wait until they get a drill sergeant for a head coach.
If Rose and/or Crawford aren't gone by the end of the week, look for fireworks 24/7 in Chicago this season.
Should Ricky Davis pack his bags? The announcement on Monday that Davis wouldn't be joining the Cavs for practice or for the road trip to New Orleans came with little explanation.
Ricky Davis
Guard-Forward
Cleveland Cavaliers
Profile
2003-2004 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
14 15.3 5.9 4.9 .428 .660
"Attitudes have to change, and that's what we're going about doing," coach Paul Silas told reporters after practice on Monday. "It's just some issues I'm dealing with. I've dealt with issues before with guys, and we'll deal with these and move on."
Insider first reported on Nov. 6 that Silas was still struggling with Davis and that Davis was already on the trading block. Speculation that Davis and Michael Stewart were on the verge of being traded reached a frenzy Monday afternoon after the announcement.
So has Davis played his last game as a Cav?
"If I was trying to trade him, he'd be traded," Cavs GM Jim Paxson told the Morning Journal. "Teams are having conversations all the time in ways to help your team. If we have something to announce, we'll announce it. You're not doing your job if you're not pursuing other opportunities with any of your players."
So, there's nothing imminent regarding Davis? "No, I'm not saying that," Paxson said.
When asked if Davis was going to be traded, Silas smiled.
"I'm not going to answer that," he said. "That's all you're going to get out of me. You can ask questions between now and kingdom come and I won't answer them."
Glad that got cleared up.
The tragic news that Alonzo Mourning needs a kidney transplant and must retire was met with shock around the league. While everyone knew that it was a risk that Mourning wouldn't play out his full four-year contract, no one expected his career to be over 12 games into the season.
Mourning's loss might not be felt on the court, but he'll be missed in the locker room. He was the Nets' hardest working player, and the way he pushed himself was an inspiration to his teammates -- with the possible exception of Kenyon Martin.
Martin's dig on Mourning about his kidney condition seems even more offensive (if that's possible) now that Zo needs a transplant.
Martin did his best to apologize on Monday.
"Yeah, I apologized to him. In the heat of the moment you know you say things that you wish you hadn't," Martin told reporters. "No matter if it's basketball or at work, no matter what you're doing you say things you wish you could take back. I apologized to him right afterward. But it still don't take it back that I said it. But I apologized to him; he accepted my apologies."
"It's terrible news, man. He's part of this family. It's terrible. It's a terrible thing. His health and life are more important than basketball," Martin said.
Speaking of basketball, the Nets will essentially get no financial relief from the league because of Mourning's retirement. Mourning's salary is fully guaranteed and was uninsurable because of his pre-existing condition. The team won't be entitled to a "medical exception" (which would give the Nets $4.9 million in salary exceptions to go sign another player) because Mourning's condition was pre-existing when it signed him. The only real relief will come in July of 2005 when Mourning's salary comes off the cap.
Another guy with a history of season-ending injuries told reporters on Monday that he won't follow Mourning's lead and retire. The Magic's Grant Hill claims that his rehab is going well and that he expects to play before the end of the season.
"I want to play this year," Hill said. "I want to play, whether there's five games or 10 games left.
"I'm not rushing to come to the rescue or anything, but I would love to get some games under my belt if I can. Obviously, we have to see where I'm at in this step-by-step process."
-------------------------------
Peep Show
By Terry Brown
NBA Insider
Tuesday, November 25
Updated: November 25
9:19 AM ET
Philadelphia 76ers: It's true. Larry Brown really did coach the Allen Iverson and the Sixers once upon a time. "But he's the enemy now, so that's all you have to look at," Eric Snow said in the Philadelphia Daily News "It's nothing personal. Well, not me, but it may be to some other people. He was the enemy the day he left here, even more of an enemy the day he took the Detroit job. That's the team that put us out of the playoffs. You always want to beat that team; it probably adds a little more incentive to it." So, no hugs, no kisses when Brown returns for the next Pistons-Sixers game? " . . . coming in [our] building, he's the enemy, and that's that," Iverson said. "He's not with us anymore . . . A lot of fans in Philadelphia probably feel betrayed. A lot of people feel hurt. Just like me. I'm hurt, too...I was hurt over the whole thing, too, especially with [Brown's joining] a team that knocked us out of the playoffs."
DavisCleveland Cavaliers: Ira Newble was suspended first. Now, it's Ricky Davis and Michael Stewart. Who's next? "Based on conversations Paul [Silas] and I had, we don't feel it's in our best interests to have them around the team," general manager Jim Paxson said in the Cleveland Plain Dealer after telling reporters that Davis and Stewart would not be traveling with the team. Davis wouldn't elaborate when reached by phone later. "I respect the decision of the organization," he said. "All I want to see is for us to be successful. If the team believes this will help then I support it."
Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce is handing out dresses for any teammates who think they need them. "I think we're one of the softest teams in the league," he told the Boston Globe. "It all comes down to toughness. It just seems when the tough get going, we start running. Teams push us around, we don't push back. We have to get some toughness." He wasn't done just yet. "We just don't understand how to win," he said. "We get leads at the half and we settle on it and don't compete for the rest of the game. I don't want to blame this on us being a young team, and we've just come together, but it's got to get to a point where everybody's on the same page and knows what we have to do to finish ballgames. We're not doing enough sacrificing right now to get over the top."
Seattle SuperSonics: Vladimir Radmanovic hurt his knee Sunday night, but there's a pretty good chance he's going to survive. "I didn't feel it right away," Radmanovic said in the Tacoma Tribune. "When I sat on the bench for the first time, I felt the pain. My knee was locking up. I played the game anyway, but after the game it was more painful." The team performed a precautionary MRI on the knee in question and had the forward sit out practice on Monday. He's expected to play in the next game.
Washington Wizards: Chris Whitney isn't trying to be confused with Magic Johnson or Oscar Robertson. He just wants to play a little point guard while Gilbert Arenas rests the strained muscle in his abdomen for the next two games. "I've been in this situation before, playing behind a great point guard," said Whitney in the Washington Times. "Now it's Gilbert. I don't go out there and try to do things that I don't do. Those guys are special. I just go out there and try to play the game the right way."
MercerSan Antonio Spurs: Ron Mercer is almost ready to return to the lineup after injuring his right foot and missing the last eight games. But are the Spurs ready for him? "It's going to be like almost starting over," Mercer said in the San Antonio Express News. "I have to get back in there and get used to certain things, get in a rhythm. It will be tough." But he'll have a little help. "For the most part, we're getting healthy," Rose said. "But what's more important is we're getting more comfortable with each other."
New York Knicks: You knew this was going to happen sooner or later. "We miss his energy, for sure," head coach Don Chaney said of Latrell Sprewell in the N.Y. Post. "He had great energy. And one thing I know we miss is his passing. He made some great passes. He hit guys who were open. He was a great passer." But that doesn't mean Keith Van Horn isn't carving out his own niche. "Fans have been really good," Van Horn said. "I love playing at the Garden. The situation has worked out well. I knew once I got the opportunity to show them what I can do, they'd appreciate the type of player I am."
