Discord between Rashard and Rueben (agents' work?)

[Kevin Lok <kevin.lok@lycosmail.com>]

Seemed more like Sonics' talking up Rashard's
value (maybe countering with him for Fort, instead
of Rueben?). I have never seen Rashard or his
play, tell me, is he also the full-of-myself-
tattoo-all- over Larry Hughes/A Iverson - like
(we're talking about character-wise, not skills
wise)


http://www.tribnet.com/banner.plx?/sports/basketball/sonics/0217c12.html

Agent for Patterson fires back
Judgment of Lewis' agent roundly criticized
Frank Hughes;
The agent for Seattle SuperSonics starting small
forward Ruben Patterson had a sharp response to
the comments made Tuesday by the agent for Sonics
reserve small forward Rashard Lewis.
Lewis' agent, Carl Poston, said on Tuesday that he
thinks the Sonics should trade Patterson for the
long-term good of both the Sonics and Lewis.
"Ruben is playing great basketball, but Rashard
has a greater upside than Ruben," Poston told The
News Tribune. "That is untapped talent. You want
to give it every opportunity. It is not a
criticism of Ruben, but with the kind of future
they have with Rashard, maybe a trade of Ruben is
better. Rashard could be around for the next 10 or
12 years. It's time for that egg to hatch."
On Wednesday, Patterson's agent, Dan Fegan said,
"First, for the record, I believe that Rashard has
a very, very bright future in Seattle.
"Regarding Poston's comments on Ruben Patterson, I
would normally question the judgment of anyone who
demands a trade by a team of a player who is a
candidate for the Most Improved Player award, and
on a permanent basis has posted All-Star numbers.
"But then again, we are talking about the agent
who advised Rashard to forego college and enter
the draft because his egg was ready to hatch. As I
recall, Rashard was drafted in the second round,
so I guess that egg speaks for itself."
As for the Sonics, coach Paul Westphal said that
Poston's comments were meaningless in terms of
Seattle's plans.
"I'd say everybody's agent thinks their guy should
get more time," Westphal said. "I don't think
there is a story there. We are happy with
Rashard's progress, he will be here for a long
time, and whether his agent thinks he should play
more, I don't think anybody cares what he thinks."

Still, there likely will be a time in the future -
probably next season - when the coaching staff
will have to make a decision about which young
player will be the starting small forward for the
Sonics. Westphal acknowledged that, but was not
specific about how the team would address the
issue.
"Both those guys are very good young players who
have helped us a lot," Westphal said. "We try to
to go with whoever's hot and the results have been
pretty good. As they develop in their careers and
demand more time on the floor by their play, we'll
find a way to do that."
While Westphal did not agree with Poston's
comments that the Sonics should trade Patterson,
he did say he thought Poston was on target about
Lewis' future.
"I think (Lewis) will be an All-Star someday,"
Westphal said. "I think he has that kind of
upside. I think he is making the progress that we
hoped for him all along. Last year was a redshirt
year, learning what things are all about. This
year he has gotten playing time, he has played in
every game, sometimes more than others depending
on how he is playing and what the matchups are. I
think he is right on schedule."
* Fortson revisited - For now, the decision is the
Boston Celtics'. The Sonics have offered Greg
Foster for Danny Fortson, and the Celtics have
countered with Ruben Patterson for Fortson.
Seattle will not do that, but would move Foster if
the Celtics agreed.
"It doesn't make you feel good, but at the same
time I understand that a business is a business is
a business," said Foster. "It's a real cliche to
say it, but you know the road I have been down
with the trade to Orlando (when he was in Utah,
which later was reversed), so I try to let it roll
off me like water. Wherever you are at, you've got
to do your job. If you have an attitude or have
problems, the only one it is going to affect is
you, make you look like a fool. I read that in the
paper. You always are the last one to know."
Foster recently signed a three-year, $6 million
deal with Seattle, but he was not surprised to see
his name pop up in trade talk.
"Nothing surprises me in this business," Foster
said, "nothing. I am not shocked at all about
anything that happens. My career has been somewhat
of a roller coaster. It is very important for me
to establish roots somewhere, and that's why the
four years in Utah were great. That's what I'm
trying to do here. I'd love to stay, but if they
think they can go get something better, great, so
be it; I am not going to cry about it."
* Sick call - Horace Grant missed practice
Wednesday with the flu. He is expected to play
Friday at Sacramento.
- - -
* Reach staff writer Frank Hughes at 253-597-8742,
ext. 6120, or frank.hughes@mail.tribnet.com