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ESPN Reports on Austin trade
I like two comments in this article.
1) Pitino says, "No thanks. We'll keep what we've got."
and
2) (Of less importance, but no less encouraging, has been the
improved play of Billups at the point.)
Steve Huffman
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Updated Tuesday, Jan. 6 5:34pm ET | Today in SportsZone
Miami bummed out
by A Celtics Carol
It's hard to imagine
rich, extravagant Pat
Riley as poor Bob
Cratchit. But Riley
was reeling after
Boston's Rick Pitino
declared "Bah!
Humbug!" when
presented with a
three-team trade that
would've sent
Mitch Richmond to
Riley's Miami
Heat, says ESPN's
David Aldridge. The
trade also would've
reunited Richmond
with his former
teammate, Tiny Tim Hardaway.
Visit this web site to see a nice color picture of Coach Rick Pitino.
http://espnet.sportszone.com/nba/index.html
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(This is for those who can't access ESPN's free web page)
Celtics douse Heat's pursuit of Richmond
By David Aldridge
Special to ESPN SportsZone
David Aldridge
archive
ALSO SEE
Aldridge bio
Jan. 6, 1998
Scrooge stands 5-foot-10, has wavy black hair and used to run a
restaurant in
Lexington, Ky., called Bravo Pitino.
At least that's how Riley sees it.
Miami thought it had a deal last week. After months of trying, Heat
coach Pat
Riley thought he finally figured out a way to get Mitch Richmond to
South Beach:
a three-way deal with Boston and Sacramento.
The principles: Chauncey Billups and Ron
Mercer were to form the Kings' new backcourt;
Richmond would join Tim Hardaway in Miami;
and Jamal Mashburn and Ike Austin would go to
Boston.
What wasn't to like? The Kings have been
looking for guards since Otis Birdsong left in
1981. The Celtics need a man in the middle,
even though they've gotten encouraging play of
late from Pervis Ellison. And who's gonna get
more out of the Monster Mash than Boston's
Rick Pitino, Mashburn's coach at Kentucky?
Miami? Just look at the tape of the Hots'
Christmas game with the Bulls. Fourth quarter.
Hardaway had just drilled a couple of threes to
tie the score. Phil Jackson put Michael Jordan
back on the floor, MJ promptly locked Tim up, and Miami had no one else
to
take a shot. Heat loses. Again. Dennis Rodman yuks it up.
Rock Richmond changes all of that.
But he won't right now.
Boston said no thanks, we'll keep what we've got.
There were several reasons, but the most important ones centered around
Austin. The C's just weren't sure about two big issues. First, they had
no
certainty they would be able to re-sign Big Ike when he becomes a free
agent at
season's end. They figure Austin is looking for something between Brian
Williams' $45 million deal and Bryant Reeves' $66 million deal. And
that's a little
too rich for their blood right now.
The reason for that? Boston wasn't sure what they'd have once Austin
inked a
big-money deal. It has been less than two years since he was playing
abroad,
about 60 pounds heavier. Maybe he's got the hang of things now, but the
C's
aren't yet convinced Austin has beaten the battle of the bulge. So they
took a
pass.
(Of less importance, but no less encouraging, has been the
improved play of Billups at the point.)
Boston's nyet hasn't changed Miami's resolve to deal Austin
before the trading deadline. The Hots know they likely won't be
able to keep Austin after July 1; all they can do is offer him a
Buck Williams exception to the cap (at the league average) next
year.
Keep in mind, again, that Ike was in no one's plans two years ago. That
Miami
could even get close to getting Mitch Richmond for him is a testament to
Austin's
work -- and Riley's gumption.
The Kings will get a Richmond deal done. There's no hope for a
reconciliation,
and Sacramento feels -- with some justification -- that there's a
future to think
about. Corliss Williamson has been a pretty big surprise at power
forward.
Michael Stewart needs to grow an offense next summer, but he has the
important end -- the shot-blocking and rebounding part -- down pretty
well.
Keep in mind that Sacramento will likely say goodbye to Billy Owens and
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf after this season, and that the Kings will finally
get under
the cap. Factor in another high draft pick, and Sacramento at least has
some
dreams. (Hey, they'll get to play the Nuggets and Mavericks the next few
years
and pad their win total, at least.)
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There are numerous names in blue with more information within the
article.
To read the article in its entirety go to the following web page:
http://espnet.sportszone.com/nba/columns/davidaldridge/00521822.html
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