Re: National Basketball Association Daily - 7/9/97

["Julie H. and Shawn H." <hiraham@erols.com>]

Bill Cooper wrote:
> 
> On Tue, 08 Jul 1997 23:20:26 MDT, Sortswarp wrote:
> 
> >GRIZZLIES GIVE 'BIG COUNTRY' SIX-YEAR EXTENSION
> >
> >Canada will be the home of "Big Country" for the next seven
> >years. The Vancouver Grizzlies announced Tuesday that they have
> >signed center Bryant Reeves to a six-year contract extension at
> >undisclosed financial terms. The contract begins in 1998 and
> >carried through 2004.
> 
> I've thought for a while that some teams would offer to extend the
> contracts of their second year players to try to get them to sign for
> less than it would cost them to resign those players as free agents
> after their third season (a la the Cleveland Indians, a few years
> ago).  This will probably reduce the effect of the 97-98 free agent
> class since the best players (Garnett) will be resigned.  To take the
> idea a step further, I tend to think that if a team doesn't resign a
> player at a reasonable price after his second year they should
> probably move him if there is anything to be had for him, or just
> reconcile themselves to letting him go FA at the end of the third year
> (Are you listening Rick?  I know it's hard to think of things that far
> in the future).  The end of the second year is the time to fish or cut
> bait.
> 
> I have no idea if the Griz signing Big Disappointment for twice what
> he's worth fits into this pattern or not.
> 
> Bill Cooper
> wfcooper@tiac.com
> 
> P.S. Actually the Big "D" tag is a little harsh, but I just can't
> resist.

I think Rick wants to see EW work some in his regime.  I'd guess either
a trade shortly before the deadline to a contender or an extension
sometime during the season.  Patience and trust...