Austin from the Indy Star

[damekmo@teleport.com]

What the other side is saying about Croshere.

From:

>http://www.starnews.com/sports/indianasgame/pacers/articles/pacers0726.html



Croshere's future in doubt
>
Isiah Thomas may hold the key  to keeping the highly sought-after free
agent in a Pacers uniform.</p>
>
>By Mark Montieth</p>

>                                                        July 26, 2000
>
>Austin Croshere's future with the Indiana Pacers could hinge on Isiah
>Thomas' recruiting skills. </p>
>
>The Pacers' highly-valued free agent forward will have lunch with their
>freshly-minted head coach near Croshere's home in Santa Monica, Calif.,
>today, and plans to choose between offers from the Pacers and Toronto by
>Friday. </p>
>
> Croshere, coming off a breakthrough season in which he averaged 10.3
>points and 6.4 rebounds during the regular season, and 15.2 points and 6.0
>rebounds in the NBA Finals, has been courted by several NBA teams this
>month.</p>
>
>Toronto has emerged as the primary challenger to the Pacers for the
>three-year veteran, but Thomas could have the last word. </p>
>
>"I want to get a good feeling from him and what he sees in my future,"
>Croshere said. "Being that I haven't had the opportunity (to talk with
>Thomas yet), I've had to look in other directions. Fortunately, if things
>fall through with the Pacers, there's at least one good option out
>there."</p>
>
> Although Croshere declined to identify that team by name, all indications
>are that it is the Raptors. Croshere flew home from Toronto on Tuesday
>after joining his agent, Dan Fegan, in a meeting with Raptors' coach Lenny
>Wilkens and general manager Glen Grunwald for the second time. They also
>had talked in Utah last week.</p>
>
>The Raptors, who appear to have lost Tracy McGrady to Orlando, have room
>under their salary cap to make a serious offer to Croshere, probably in
>the range of about $5 million per season. </p>
>
>The Pacers, however, already have made an offer in that range, and are in
>position to surpass any offer Croshere receives, both in value and length.
></p>
>
>Pacers president Donnie Walsh declined to reveal his offer, but remains
>hopeful of retaining Croshere with a long-term deal. </p>
>
>"You keep working at it and you either get the guy or you don't," Walsh
>said Tuesday. "But it's been a very cordial negotiation.</p>
>
>"Austin is going to different places and meeting people, which he has a
>right to do. But I'm talking to Dan Fegan every day and trying to get a
>deal done."</p>
>
>Croshere declined to reveal what he is seeking in a contract, other than a
>long-term deal. </p>
>
>"It's a matter of defining my market value, which isn't easy since I just
>played (extensively) the one year," he said. "We're trying to get the
>numbers to where they account for continued growth as a player."</p>
>
>Fegan was unavailable for comment Tuesday.</p>
>
>Croshere -- whose other suitors include Houston, Boston, Atlanta and the
>Los Angeles Lakers -- said he wants to take "a solid 48 hours to think
>things over" before reaching a decision. He will consult with Fegan;
>former NBA player Kiki Vandeweghe, who's a friend of Croshere; and his
>brother and parents. </p>
>
>"At this point, there's no need to look any further," he said. "Things are
>starting to wind down. I'm looking forward to making a decision.</p>
>
>"My agent and my brother keep telling me to enjoy the process. There
>aren't too many bad options. I guess I stress over it because I want to
>make the right decision. There are a couple of good choices. But one is
>the right decision, and I want to make sure I make the right
>decision."</p>
>
> Asked if he'll sign with the Pacers if he hears what he wants to hear
>from Thomas regarding his role with the team, Croshere said: "There's more
>involved than that. But that might be what it takes."</p>
>
>Thomas couldn't be reached for comment. </p>
>
>Walsh, however, said Thomas values Croshere's talent and potential.</p>
>
>"He thinks he's a really good player and had a great year and is an
>important part of the team," Walsh said. "He likes his game a lot. As soon
>as he can talk to Austin, he'll tell him that."</p>
>
>Croshere dismissed a trade rumor that was reported by ESPN and widely
>circulated on local talk radio stations in which he, Travis Best and Chris
>Mullin would be sent to Boston for Antoine Walker and Dana Barros.</p>
>
>As a free agent, Croshere would have to agree to a sign-and-trade
>provision before any deal could be made, and the Pacers would have to
>agree to it as well. </p>
>
>"I've heard the rumor," Croshere said. "You hear a lot of rumors. A month
>ago I was going to Houston. I just take them for what they're worth."</p>
>



Paul M