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[kevin.lok@lycosmail.com (kevin/singapore)]

http://sports.latimes.com/news/20000701/lat/000062092.html
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Even after last summer's self-destructo when the Magic dumped four starters, it still had to unload Derek Strong's $3.5 million for the two $9.5-million slots necessary. Not that anyone in the East intended to help, understanding what Orlando was doing and why.
Thus, New Jersey turned down the No. 5 and 10 picks, plus Strong, Corey Maggette and/or Michael Doleac, all for Kenyon Martin.
And Indiana turned down No. 13, Doleac and Strong, all for their third-string center, Zan Tabak.
Orlando needed a Western team that didn't care if it helped sign Duncan and Hill. That was the Clippers, who took Strong, Maggette and the No. 10 pick, which became Keyon Dooling--all for a lottery-protected future No. 1.
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Ron Mercer, Orlando--He told the Celtics he'd need the max, whereupon they traded him to Denver, where he shot just about every time he touched the ball and was traded to Orlando, where he was unimpressive. He won't be back and he won't get $9 million, either. 
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Cuttino Mobley, Houston--High-energy 6-4 guard who averaged 15.8 points off the bench. Says he likes it there, but the Rockets can offer him only $3 million a year.

He's at it again: Boston's Rick Pitino offered Portland three No. 1 picks, including this year's No. 11 that he ultimately used for Jerome Moiso, for Jermaine O'Neal but was turned down. "Our owner [Paul Gaston] told us that the future is now," Pitino said. "He said the fans have been patient for the last six or seven years." . . . What Rick really means is: I'm only going to be here for another season, so the future had better be now . . . Comment: Better tell those fans to plan on being patient for another six or seven years . . .


http://www.startext.net/today/columnist/whitt2.htm
After an exhaustive study in conjunction with MIT and the happy hour regulars at Joe T. Garcia's, The End's top five reasons why new Atlanta Hawks coach Lon Krueger and new Washington Wizards coach Leonard Hamilton will fail miserably in their college-to-NBA leaps:
1. Rick Pitino
2. John Calipari
3. P.J. Carlesimo
4. Jerry Tarkanian
5. Tim Floyd