Vescey had the truth first

[Celtic4Hire@xxxxxxx]

I guess Vecsey beat the Celtic beatwriters to the punch on the truth on the 
Blount deal: from Sunday's post

DJessen33


TRUTH, TRADEWINDS AND BLOWHARDS 
    
By PETER VECSEY 

> ODD COUPLE: With NBA trading deadline set for Thursday, nobody's untouchable 
in Philadelphia, where Larry Brown and Allen Iverson could be headed for 
divorce.N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg   

February 16, 2003 -- WITH the NBA's Trade Show scheduled to close Thursday at 
6 p.m. (EST), we wish to apologize to counterfeit columnists, dot-com dopes 
and imitation TV analysts everywhere if we haven't provided enough scoops du 
jour to fill your space or airwaves as your own disclosure. We're deeply 
ashamed for not doing all your homework 'cause we see what happens when you 
don't use us as your only resource. For instance, the alleged Ron Artest 
fight in Atlanta during the All-Star break, in which ESPN.com cited "several 
sources" in its artificial article. The reality is, several sources cannot be 
wrong regarding such a serious incident, they can only be right. In other 
words, the anonymous author, who slithers in the muck of the Internet 
infestation devoid of accountability (much like those who hired him), either 
completely fabricated the story, or relied on one slime bucket whose 
credibility was never battle tested. It's scary how much junk NBA news is 
irresponsibly being churned out every day (correspondents from ESPN and TNT 
flat out concocted a tale about everybody's favorite target, Isiah Thomas, 
during the All-Star Game and have yet to issue an apology) with minus zero 
basis of truth. It's scary because, if suspected journalists are certified 
fountains of misinformation or regurgitating what they've glanced at or 
overheard without checking the facts, how much should we honestly believe 
when reading accounts and descriptions about Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, 
North Korea, our country's security system, etc. Some of us have a hard time 
forgetting how many lies we were told regarding Vietnam. No wonder the public 
is so mistrustful of the media. How can anybody be expected to have any clue 
what's real in the field unless a particular subject is their specialty? Not 
that any of this bothers me, I just thought I'd mention it in passing. * 
Meanwhile, despite the fixation by 26 teams (Portland, New York and Dallas 
are exempt) on the impending luxury tax, the salary cap and their 
far-reaching financial implications, there is all sorts of trade talk going 
on behind the screens. Though it's doubtful the majority of proposals will 
culminate in deals, it's not from lack of trying. Sixers: If any team will 
pull the trigger, it's them. As one West Coast GM says, "Larry Brown is the 
Cat On The Hot Tin Roof." When his teams are winning big, he makes changes. 
Imagine how many changes he's attempting to make with his team only three 
games over .500. Nobody is untouchable. Not Allen Iverson. Not Eric Snow. 
Definitely not Keith Van Horn and Derrick Coleman. For some strange reason, 
the Warriors seem agreeable to give up Adonal Foyle, a defensive center who 
doesn't take shots away from the team's many gunners. If I'm them, I'd trade 
Erick Dampier (Pacers want him) instead. Grizzlies: Those with a need to know 
tell me Jerry West desperately wants Mike Dunleavy, offering the Warriors' 
Drew Gooden in exchange. Counterpart Garry St. Jean doesn't appear tempted. 
However, should West agree to relieve Golden State of Danny Fortson or 
another cement contract (Bob Sura or Chris Mills), it could get done. The 
yarn spun about the Knicks thinking they have a chance to acquire Pau Gasol 
is neither logical nor lyrical. You must have a franchise player in order to 
swap him for one. Clearly, if you want to create such scenarios from nothing, 
you can't own a conscience or sanity. Clippers: Unlike every other opponent 
who's unwilling to acquire contracts longer than ones they're prepared to 
give up, L.A. would take on players on long-term commitments. That's because 
half of Donald Sterling's team is an unrestricted or restricted free agent; 
re-signing them may prove prohibitive, whereas any acquired player will come 
equipped with an exact pay scale. With that in mind, sources tell me the 
Clips might entertain overtures from the Jazz for Elton Brand. No offer has 
been made yet, but there's no question Utah is acutely interested in the 
slightly undersized power forward. The question is, would Brand be interested 
in re-upping with the Jazz this summer? If the answer is yes, a proposition 
of Matt Harpring and a No. 1 pick (about 150G shy of meeting salary/trade 
requirements) is imminent. Nets: Word has it Rod Thorn is pushing hard to 
obtain either Tyrone Hill or Sura. The word has misspoken. Don't be surprised 
to see Hill wind up with the Lakers or the Magic. Should the Cavaliers be 
unable to move their outcast, whose $6.6 million expires at season's end, 
look for them to cut him when he's ineligible for the playoffs. If the Lakers 
can't get Hill or someone like him from somebody else's roster, look for them 
to sign Horace Grant. Nuggets: How legit would a trade deadline be if Kiki 
Vandeweghe weren't entrenched in discussions? At one point, it seemed as if 
the Celtics might swap Shammond Williams to Denver for Mark Blount and 
another fringe player, but talk stalled when the Nuggets GM insisted Boston 
throw in one of its two (it owns Philly's this June, lottery protected) 
first-round picks.