Stephen Smith: Cheaney To Boston - Mercer Deal: Baffling

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

                                               August 8, 1999

                              On the NBA By Stephen A. Smith
      
                              <snips>
                             
                             Rumors are swirling that coach Chris
                             Ford's job with the Los Angeles Clippers
                             is in jeopardy. Why? Because owner Donald
                             Sterling is interested in former Lakers
                             coach Kurt Rambis, and Ford has just one
                             year remaining on his deal. Both come
                             relatively cheaply, which is right up
                             Sterling's alley.

                             For those wondering why Orlando traded
                             Nick Anderson to Sacramento for Tariq
                             Abdul-Wahad, consider this: Anderson is
                             locked in contractually for three more
                             seasons, the Kings won't have to worry
                             about re-signing the talented Wahad, and
                             Anderson is like a father figure to Kings
                             point guard Jason Williams, the former
                             problem child from the University of
                             Florida whom he has mentored.

                             The Boston Celtics traded Ron Mercer and
                             two other players to Denver for Danny
                             Fortson, Eric Washington and Eric
                             Williams, and now there's a problem.

                             "Someone must have told him he was going
                             to receive an extension," Nuggets GM Dan
                             Issel said of Mercer. "That's not going to
                             happen right now. That's not what we said
                             we'd do."                           

                             Baffling moves. Cleveland trading Derek
                             Anderson to the Clippers for Lamond
                             Murray. (Who cares what Anderson wanted?
                             The Cavs could have gotten more for him.)

                             Denver accepting Dwayne Schintzius in its
                             trade with Boston without guaranteeing
                             Mercer an extension. (If the Nuggets
                             didn't want Mercer desperately, why would
                             they allow Schintzius in the building?)

                             Washington forward Calbert Cheaney signing
                             with Boston instead of Miami. (Isn't he
                             tired of losing?)

    
                                  ©1999 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.