Goodnews for Way - Pot's contract ain't so bad

[kevin <bostonceltics17@yahoo.com>]

NBA notebook: Think McIlvaine deal was bad? Plenty of fans feel your
pain 

By Nunyo Demasio
Seattle Times staff reporter

When Jim McIlvaine's ignominious career ended last week, it barely
registered as a blip on the NBA radar. 

In Seattle, however, McIlvaine's release by New Jersey served as
official confirmation that his seven-year, $35 million contract was a
monumental blunder by then-General Manager Wally Walker and that the
franchise still hasn't recovered. 

Upon closer examination, however, that 1996 deal and others around the
NBA actually make McIlvaine's contract a bargain. 

Let's go down the list, in alphabetical order, of other lottery
winners. The only players who qualify had accomplished almost nothing
before a brilliant GM gleaned something no one else could see. (Under
this criterion, one-time stars such as Derrick Coleman, Vin Baker and
Juwan Howard get a pass.) 

 Last summer, Denver signed Tariq Abdul-Wahad to a six-year, $43.3
million deal. The swingman then averaged 3.8 points (on 38.7 percent
shooting) and 2.0 rebounds. (Note: That averages to about $40,000 per
point.) 

 In 1999, Houston signed Kelvin Cato to a six-year, $42 million
contract. The center averaged 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds last season.
(Note: Houston made the offer after Cato had 20 points, 13 rebounds
and 12 blocks in an exhibition against Cleveland. Coach Rudy
Tomjanovich said after the signing: "It's great. ... My feeling is
that he's going to be a Rocket for a long time." Tomjanovic was
prophetic on the second part. 

 Last year, Indiana signed Austin Croshere to a seven-year, $52.9
million contract. The forward then averaged 10.1 points (on 39.4
percent shooting) and 4.8 rebounds. (Note: Who said Jerry Krause
doesn't have foresight? Croshere declined an offer from Chicago after
being "low-balled.") 

 In 1998, Philadelphia signed Matt Geiger to a six-year, $48 million
deal. Geiger last season averaged 6.1 points (on 39.3 percent
shooting) and 4.0 rebounds. 

 In 1998, Utah signed Greg Ostertag to a six-year, $39 million
contract. The center last season averaged 4.5 points and 5.1 rebounds.

 In 1999, the Grizzlies signed Bryant "Big Country'' Reeves to a
six-year, $64.8 million deal. Reeves last season turned into the Big
Continent while averaging 8.3 points and 6.0 rebounds. 

 Finally, the worst: In 1999, Toronto signed Michael (Yogi) Stewart
to a six-year, $24 million deal. Stewart last season averaged 1.3
points (on 32.4 percent shooting) and 1.1 rebounds. (Note: At least,
Stewart admits to stealing money: "I haven't earned any money since
I've been here," he said. 

McIlvaine's salary actually became the standard for what he always
was: a backup center. Of course, numbers don't tell the whole picture.
Some observers believe that McIlvaine's contract spurred Shawn Kemp to
force a trade, precipitating the club's demise. Except that Shawn's
unkempt fall from stardom rebuts that theory. 

Despite McIlvaine's worthlessness, the Sonics won 57 and 61 games
during his two seasons in Seattle. The biggest suckers were the Nets,
bamboozled into taking McIlvaine contract after the center proved to
be a bust. 

Walker's biggest blunder was not merely misjudging McIlvaine's talent.
It was investing so much in someone whose work ethic was, well, poor.
Contrary to a blue-collar image, McIlvaine showed little interest in
working on his game. 

"He's a guy who doesn't really enjoy the game," Nets Coach Byron Scott
said. "So why have him here? It was like torture. It's as simple as
that." 

Brandon fits like a glove 

Gary Payton's future in Seattle has become less tenuous. It's not
simply because of his unfamiliar leadership or stellar play during
training camp. 

No team aggressively pursued Payton like Minnesota, which offered
Terrell Brandon as part of a package. Brandon last week expressed his
desire to be a backup next season, though he backtracked after being
criticized.. 

Seattle's recurring theme last summer was for Payton to "allow"
younger players to develop. 

In that case, Brandon would fit like a glove. The easygoing Brandon
would be a change from the ornery Payton. And Brandon  and his $10
million annual salary  would even be willing to back up Shammond
Williams next season. 

"I can kind of sit back and enjoy the game more," Brandon said. 

Yes, but would Sonics fans? 

Three-second calls 

Evidence that Phoenix never recovered from losing the coin flip for
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1969: New Net Jason Kidd described the solid
but unspectacular Todd MacCulloch as "the best center I've ever player
with." ... All NBA teams will conduct a pregame ceremony in their home
openers to commemorate the victims of Sept. 11. After a symbolic
tip-off using a red, white and blue ball, it will be autographed by
both teams. Proceeds from an auctioned on NBA.com and Yahoo.com will
be donated to the Twin Towers Fund. ... Rockets bust Kelvin Cato
stopped talking to the media after a Houston Chronicle columnist
dubbed him "The Hallucination." ... Golden State is using Larry Hughes
as a point guard. Next thing you know the Lakers will ask Shaq to take
the technical foul shots. But maybe Warriors Coach Dave Cowens is
smarter than the rest of us, realizing that Hughes shoots 38 percent
for his career. ... Gary Payton has been Giuliani-esque in his
leadership. But Payton watchers hold back praise until the first
losing st
reak. ... The Pacers named rookie Jamal Tinsley a starter, ending the
doomed experiment of Jalen Rose as point guard. ... For those seeking
a glimmer of hope against the Lakers, here's Coach Phil Jackson on
Shaq's free-throw shooting: "It's a dire, scary situation right now,
the way he's shooting his free throws." 

The final word 

Nick Van Exel on whether Denver's trade of Kevin Willis for Scott
Williams will disrupt chemistry: "Right now, we don't even have
chemistry, so I don't know how we could disrupt it." 

Contributing some quotes were other NBA beat reporters. Nunyo Demasio
can be reached at 206-515-5699 or ndemasio@seattletimes.com.