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Stephen Smith: Walker Going & Strickland Coming? Where Was Grant Hill Too?
Scroll down to see the latest Antoine trade rumours; seems a bit of a
rehash
though, but who knows? Mark Strickland coming to Boston is not a
surprise, I
mentioned it months back. This is an excellent article!
Ray
October 25, 1998
Sports
On the NBA By Stephen A. Smith
Grant Hill's absence irks players
Unity is what they preached, and unity is what
they appear to have. But the National Basketball
Players Association does have a noticeable chink
in its armor that needs to be rectified before
NBA masterminds discover a window of
opportunity.
The Pistons' Grant Hill, considered by some to
be the heir apparent and league poster child
once Michael Jordan retires, did not show up
along with the 240 players in Las Vegas on
Thursday, and more than a few agents and players
were perturbed by his absence.
Some agents pointed to his father, Calvin Hill,
and his involvement in trying to become an NFL
owner in September, then asked incredulously why
his son was a no-show. Players brought the issue
closer to home, wondering whether Hill was more
concerned about retribution from the league and
his image than about the union.
"I'm sure Grant had his reasons for not coming,"
Nets center Michael Cage said. "I mean, who
knows? He may have had prior commitments. None
of us know. But it would have been great for him
to be here. He would have seen the deal the
owners have proposed, and then he'd be as
determined as we all are. But again, who knows
if he isn't already?"
When the NBPA forced USA Basketball to knock the
players out of the World Championship games in
Athens, Greece -- withholding its commitment to
the games until the league made its decision
about locking the players out -- Hill did not
agree with the union.
Seeing it as an opportunity to promote the game,
represent his country, and further his image,
Hill, desiring to play, wanted to put the labor
issue on the back burner until after the games,
even questioning if a fight over cap issues and
the Larry Bird exception was worth it.
Now the players are questioning Hill's
commitment to their cause.
Jordan makes the most money -- $33 million per
season -- and is about to retire, but he was
there. Union president Patrick Ewing will have
lost nearly $3 million when the league announces
the cancellation of more games this week. Yet he
offered less-fortunate players his share of
group licensing revenue, which is $50,000. And
minimum-wage players, who earn $272,500 per
season, and free agents were in attendance,
along with June's No. 1 overall pick, Michael
Olowokandi of the Clippers.
All were in unison, decrying the league's latest
proposal as "ridiculous and insulting."
"I wish Grant was here to do the same thing,"
said 76ers free-agent center Theo Ratliff,
Hill's former teammate. "I wish every player was
here. Grant, Allen [ Iverson ] , Tim Duncan, all
of them. But I'm sure they had their reasons.
"We have too many guys here too interested in
what's going on, who really understand the
insults the NBA has thrown our way, to separate
now. We're strong and united."
For the most part. But if what players were
believing about Hill on Thursday amounts to
anything, it could mark the beginning of what
they think the NBA has been trying to do all
along.
"Divide and conquer," Ratliff said. "That's the
NBA's thing when it comes to the players."
Grant Hill could not be reached for comment.
Who said no deals? Assuming a resolution is
forthcoming, word floating around Las Vegas is
that P.J. Brown and Jamal Mashburn could be
heading to Boston. Celtics coach Rick Pitino
wants Mashburn, his former Kentucky star, badly
and may be willing to re-sign Antoine Walker,
then send the all-star forward to Miami to get a
deal done.
Walker wants a nine-figure deal, out of Boston
and away from Pitino. The feeling is becoming
mutual.
Walker could also end up in Portland in exchange
for forward Brian Grant.
Latrell Sprewell's name also popped up in
several trade conversations. Rumors about him
heading to San Antonio in a deal that involves
Sean Elliott are still out there. But the one
that is gaining momentum has him heading to
Miami. Heat coach and president Pat Riley is the
only one willing to take a chance on Sprewell
right now, with $17 million remaining on his
contract.
Scottie Pippen is no longer at the top of
Orlando's or Houston's wish lists of coveted
free agents. One reason is because everyone
believes Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf
will dole out the bucks to ensure Jordan's
return. The other reason is Pippen's back
surgery in July, along with the long-term
contract he desires.
The fact that Trail Blazers point guard Damon
Stoudamire could be grabbed does not help
Pippen's case, either.
Heat forward and former Temple standout Mark
Strickland desperately wants to stay in South
Florida. But if Miami does not put forth a
couple million dollars, don't be surprised to
see him in Boston.
Other notables. If Charles Barkley does not stay
in Houston, it's 50-50 that he will end up in a
New York Knicks uniform.
As for other power forwards, "We need one
desperately," said Lakers forward Robert Horry,
who was forced to defend Karl Malone during the
Western Conference finals. "Like [ Toronto's ]
Charles Oakley."
Marcus Camby, the frail 6-foot-11 forward/center
traded to the Knicks for Oakley in June, has
bulked up to 240 pounds.
Matt Geiger, one of the top free-agent centers
available, is losing marketing power by the day.
Word is out that he may have a back problem.
Free-agent center Isaac Austin isn't far behind
him. Supposedly, the bones in his knees are
rubbing together.
No wonder Nets center Jayson Williams is rapidly
becoming the top center available, with Phoenix
and Seattle expected to make a run at him.
Did you think no team other than the Bulls would
take a chance on free-agent forward Dennis
Rodman? Guess who's considering it: Pat Riley.
Rodman and Sprewell on the same team? What a
country.
©1998 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.