Sam Smith: Pippen To The Lakers

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

He also mentions Michael Curry, Bradley to the Jazz, etc.

      Chicago Tribune

      NBA REPORT/SAM SMITH
      Those in know say Pippen's headed to L.A.

      June 10, 1999 
      This is the time of year for intriguing trade rumors, many of which come 
      from the same few guys. You know them as "league insider," "knowledgeable 
      source," and "highly placed team official." They are apparently so 
      knowledgeable that you see them pop up in Washington on much more weighty 
      matters.
      With all the top talent evaluators in Chicago this week, it's not 
      surpising that some sources, insiders and officials are here as well. And 
      one of the most intriguing potential deals some of them have been talking 
      about actually would seem to make some sense.
      There are rumors that the Rockets and Lakers are considering a Scottie 
      Pippen-for-Glen Rice deal.
      There has been no confirmation, but it was clear neither big-name star fit 
      well with his new team.
      Pippen had his worst season since his rookie year, and the Rockets appear 
      committed to bringing back Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley, both of 
      whom are stagnant post players. For years Pippen talked about going to a 
      Western Conference team to enhance his open-court game, yet the Rockets 
      are the one Western team that plays like an Eastern team, dumping the ball 
      into the post, waiting for a double team, them moving it to perimeter 
      shooters.
      Sort of the perfect game for Rice, who couldn't find a place with the 
      Lakers and obviously was not happy.
      After almost two years of threatening to trade Eddie Jones and Elden 
      Campbell, the Lakers finally did so and made the worst possible deal, 
      removing their best defender and best backup post player for a 
      third-option shooter.
      But one reason Lakers General Manager Jerry West long has been regarded as 
      among the best league executives is he resolves his mistakes. Many general 
      managers try to make them work. West usually moves on.
      Rice would be a better fit for the Rockets, who could use his range and 
      shooting confidence. To match Pippen's salary, the Lakers would have to 
      add another player, probably Robert Horry, a former Rocket and another 
      perimeter threat. And Pippen always wanted to go to the Lakers anyway.
      The Lakers have had interest in Pippen before, but owner Jerry Buss 
      supposedly refused to allow West to include Jones in a sign-and-trade deal 
      with the Bulls. Pippen would fit in an uptempo style the Lakers would like 
      to bring back after a disastrous season.
      Where there's smoke: Even though George Karl and the Bucks are gone, the 
      fire extinguishers are still at the ready at Market Square Arena. During 
      the Bucks-Pacers first-round playoff series, Pacers fans near the Bucks' 
      bench called security about what they thought was smoke. It turns out Karl 
      had the acupuncturist and spiritualist he brought in burning incense under 
      the team bench.
      Didn't work. The Bucks were swept.
      Brown bomber: Former North Carolina coach Dean Smith watched with interest 
      as former pupil Larry Brown led the 76ers to their best season in a 
      decade. Smith said when Brown played for him, he brought in a sports 
      psychologist, who prescribed a treadmill test and told Smith he could 
      guess his starting lineup from seeing who passed. He got four of the five, 
      and one--Brown--refused to get off.
      Said Smith: "That tells you a lot about his competitiveness. Every one of 
      his teams has gotten better as they go along, because he just keeps 
      teaching and repeating."
      Players on parade: Since when did Michael Curry become the star of the 
      free-agent market? Detroit's Grant Hill asked the Pistons to go after the 
      Milwaukee free agent, and Boston coach Rick Pitino said last week, "We're 
      looking for Michael Curry-type players: tough, hard-nosed guys who can 
      score." And what if Curry could hit a jump shot? . . . Among the players 
      who can exercise opt-out clauses in their contracts are Shaquille O'Neal, 
      Anfernee Hardaway, Isaiah Rider, Dikembe Mutombo and Vin Baker. If Seattle 
      doesn't re-sign Baker, the Sonics supposedly will go after Dallas' Gary 
      Trent, who averaged 16 points and 7.8 rebounds. Under cap rules, the Mavs 
      can only pay Trent $5 million in a two-year deal before he could qualify 
      for a big contract. . . . Don't be surprised to see the Pacers pursue 
      Vancouver's No. 2 pick with either Dale Davis or Antonio Davis and then go 
      for someone like Corey Maggette, whom they could groom for when their 
      current group begins to fade.
      The Heat had former King High School star Thomas Hamilton in for workouts. 
      . . . David Robinson, Karl Malone and Charles Barkley are the only three 
      league MVPs who never have been on an NBA championship team. Robinson is 
      the only one who hasn't played in the Finals, but that's about to change. 
      . . . If the Cavaliers cannot move up to draft Wally Szczerbiak, they 
      might try to deal their No. 8 pick to Utah for Bryon Russell. . . . It 
      happens every spring: Talk of Utah's Shawn Bradley to the Jazz. Would 
      Dallas take Utah's underachieving center, Greg Ostertag, for its own, 
      Bradley? . . . Malone says his buddy Isaac Austin wants to be traded to 
      the Jazz and now regrets signing with the Magic. . . . Miami has until 
      Thursday to obtain a top 20 pick to send to Utah in the trade for Martin 
      Muursepp or surrender its draft pick next year unprotected. . . . 
      Cleveland GM Jim Paxson on Maggette: "Will he be the next Vince Carter? 
      That's the big question about him."
      Coaching carousel: If Clem Haskins gets swept out in the Minnesota 
      scandal, there's talk of Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders, a former 
      Gopher, replacing him and Randy Wittman replacing Saunders. . . . Spurs 
      President Peter Holt says coach/general manager Gregg Popovich will get a 
      contract extension--he'll finish a three-year, $3.3 million deal after 
      next season--as soon as Popovich wants. Said Holt: "I told him we could do 
      it today, tomorrow or whevever he wanted. Pop said he wanted to wait. The 
      only thing I told him is it's not going to be the $6 million or $7 million 
      Phil Jackson wants." . . . With teams opting for young coaches such as Doc 
      Rivers in Orlando, former Bulls assistant John Bach could be a great 
      mentor as a bench assistant as Dick Harter has been for Larry Bird in 
      Indiana. Bach, considered one of the league's top defensive minds, says 
      he's looking forward to hooking on as an assistant. . . . Warriors GM 
      Garry St. Jean's assessment of the draft: "You've got a situation where 
      Jerry (Krause) with the top spot will be like Inspector Clouseau. He'll 
      turn over everything, deciding whether to stay or make a deal."