ESPN reports about Richmond

["David Rodas" <drodas@srv1.telconet.net>]

 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 Riles 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.

ALDRIDGE'S TOP 10
    1. Seattle
            2. San Antonio
            3. Chicago
            4. L.A. Lakers
            5. Indiana
            6. Utah
            7. Atlanta
            8. Houston
            9. Portland
            10. Cleveland

    ALDRIDGE'S BOTTOM 5
    25. Golden State
            26. Philadelphia
            27. Toronto
            28. Dallas
            29. Denver



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.


    Austin
            ----------------------------------------------------------------
----



(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.)