The Sixers appear to pass on Mutombo, meaning he’s probably Knicks-bound as rumored. Well, since the Post thinks this will actually facilitate the Van Exel trade, I’m all for it. Update: It’s official…Deke’s a Knick.
Category: Trades
October Surprise.
Congrats to the Red Sox on their comeback win over the Chokeland A’s last night (and to the Cubs for breaking their 95-year losing streak the night previously.) As y’all know, I don’t normally talk baseball in this space, but Sox-Yankees is one of the classic rivalries in sports. And just in case anyone got the wrong idea from my love for the Knicks, I think Yankee fans are Laker fans are 90’s Cowboys fans are Jordan-era Bulls fans are Man. U fans…i.e, some of the most aggravating, bandwagon-jumping, fair-weather-only hordes in all of sportsdom. Go BoSox all the way. Update: Speaking of the Lake Show, Phil Jackson hints at signing Jordan to replace Kobe for the duration of his trial. Ugh…how bad would that be?
Seeking Deke.
With their earlier designs on Nick Van Exel apparently stalled, the Knicks plan (once again) to try for Dikembe Mutombo. Hmm. I guess having Mutombo around would help the height-challenged Knicks…but if we were looking for a 40-something center, why’d we ever trade Patrick Ewing in the first place?
Knick the Quick.
Word is from Frank Isola that the Knicks are Warriors are discussing a trade that would bring Nick Van Exel to NY. As y’all know, I’ve been really down on this incarnation of the Knickerbockers, particularly with Spree gone for (ugh) Van Horn. But this proposed trade – Van Exel for Thomas and Ward – might turn me around right quick. To my mind, Nick Van Exel is the clutchest guy in the league. There’s nobody – nobody – I’d rather have shooting a last-second fadeaway 3 to win the game. Look at the playoffs last year – he single-handedly willed the Mavs past Portland and Sacramento. Dallas were idiots to trade him…At any rate, I very much hope this goes through – it sounds like such a great trade for NY that I have my doubts.
All’s Well with Latrell.
At his official introduction as a Minnesota Timberwolf, Spree makes peace with Knicks brass. I have very little doubt that he’ll end up having the last laugh about this dubious Keith Van Horn transaction.
So long, Spree.
It’s official…the most dynamic Knick since Bernard King has left the Garden. Consider me among the legions of Knicks fans who’re bummed to see him go…and who aren’t psyched at all about Keith Van Horn. This lousy trade reeks of Layden.
The Sprewell Era Ends.
ESPN is reporting as breaking news that the Knicks have basically traded Sprewell for Keith Van Horn in a 4-player deal (Latrell goes to the T-Wolves, Terrell Brandon goes to the Hawks, Glenn Robinson goes to the Sixers.) While this emphatically makes Minnesota a better team (particularly with Sam Cassell and Michael Olowokandi also joining KG), I can’t say I’m very happy about what’s happened to the Knickerbockers. Spree was the only high-octane guy on a team of one-dimensional choke artists…it’s going to be really hard to root for a team fronted by Van Horn and Houston.
Return to Sender.
The veiling shadow that glowers in the West takes shape. There is a union now between the Two All-Stars, Payton and Malone. I love the Glove, but, for the League’s sake, at this point I have to hope that one of these two mercenaries turns out to be a locker-room cancer. And, while I’m on the subject of the Lake Show, perhaps I should be glad that the media has taken innocent-until-proven-guilty to heart. Nevertheless, I find it somewhat troubling how the press has circled the wagons around Kobe before all the facts get out. These are the same writers who jump all over Sprewell, Kidd, and/or Iverson, to take just three examples, whenever the rumor mill starts a-churning. What’s good for the gangsta is good for the golden boy.
Payton’s New Place.
I’d heard rumors of this a few days ago, but assumed if I didn’t blog it it might not come true. Alas, Gary Payton is joining the Lakers. Bleah. Particularly if LA succeeds in signing Karl Malone too, I’d say next year’s season is all but ruined. That is, unless Kobe’s in jail…
Turn and face the strain.
I’ve definitely been in a work hole, ’cause I’m just now finding out that Jerry Stackhouse got traded to the Wizards yesterday. I dunno…I personally think Whackhouse is suspect with regards to shot selection, and without Ben Wallace to clean up the boards, that means a lot of turnovers. In more serious news, ‘Zo’s kidney condition has worsened, and it looks like he’s on the verge of missing another season.