COULD the Knicks really be (finally!) virtually zeroed in on acquiring Jalen Rose? Despite long-term contention over Isiah Thomas’ demand for a No. 1 pick (Denver’s) from Toronto in a proposed deal involving Penny Hardaway, that’s what I’m hearing from a reliable source.
It’s unclear which team is willing to compromise, probably both, meaning the pick figures to be lottery-protected, maybe through as low as eight, something along those coordinates.
Oddly enough, the apparent Rose ($15.6M and $16.9M) breakthrough coincides with a turnaround in trade talk with the Blazers. Sources on both coasts reveal Portland, in the midst of a four-game win streak, abruptly reversed its position to cling to Theo Ratliff because Joel Przybilla is a rising free agent, and offered Larry Brown the defensive inside presence he’s been seeking since the season began.
Adding irony to irony, New York declined Ratliff ($11.67M with two more at the same number) and Ruben Patterson ($6.35M and $6.8M) for Penny ($15.7M).
Who says money ain’t a thing to Camp Cablevision?
Penny hasn’t been this unpopular since Tara Banks dumped him in a shoe commercial. The demand for him not to be part of any team is reaching epic proportion.
*
A wired source claims yet another Ron Artest transaction (first the Nuggets, then the Clippers) may very well go down over the weekend. He refused to divulge the destination for fear of jinxing the covert operation.
Unless Indiana has radically inverted its stance about trading Artest to an Eastern Conference team (the pedestrian 76ers were tempted to move Andre Iguodala to fortify their saggy, baggy defense, but couldn’t find one single, solitary person to vouch for Ron-Ron), I’m thinking maybe the Lakers or the Warriors or the Kings have had a change of heart regarding Lamar Odom, Ike Diogu or Mike Dunleavy and Peja Stojakovic, respectively.
If you saw how Kobe Bryant glared long and livid at Odom after his bonehead charge (Lakers up four, 28 seconds left in the game, 20 on the shot clock) cost them a victory against the Kings, you have to suspect management has to at least now be leaning in that direction. Self-styled mastermind Jim Buss has been diametrically opposed to relinquishing either Odom (another Pacer, Austin Croshere, perhaps, would have to be included for salary-cap purposes) or Andrew Bynum for Artest, someone both Phil Jackson and Bryant crave.
Odom understandably also incurred Kobe’s wrath when he hoisted up an grubby 3-pointer in the closing moments of regulation instead of finding Kobe (46 points of his final 51 at the time, including a dozen in the last 5:43) unreasonably open considering the situation.
After that, Kobe’s reeking body language, unsavory shot selection and depraved attitude became, “The hell with everyone else! I’m either gonna win this or it ain’t happenin’.” He forced six of LA’s first seven shots in OT, converting two, essentially putting his own team out of its misery.
If not the Lakers, Warriors (the Pacers do, indeed, like Mickael Pietrus, but his procurement doesn’t provide nearly enough salary or compensation) or Kings, then who?
The Nuggets, having come exceedingly close twice to obtaining Artest, unquestionably remain in the hunt and have plenty to offer, though I don’t believe Nene is a part of any equation. Rick Carlisle prefers to get a live body back for Artest, not a disabled free agent-to-be who’s under no obligation to enlist with Indy come summer.
The Timberwolves undoubtedly want Artest, too, but have little Indiana likes (other than Kevin Garnett, of course, whose patience for suitable reinforcements may be fried) except Marko Jaric.
Despite reports to the contrary, my Paper Clips have been eliminated from consideration due to the uncertainly surrounding Corey Maggette‘s ankle injury. Again, Carlisle wants immediate help, not six weeks from now or maybe not even until next season.
While on the subject of the Clips, I hear they’re discussing a Chris Wilcox– Francisco Elson trade with Denver. The T’wolves, too, can’t decide whether to exchange Eddie Griffin for Wilcox. Kevin McHale is against it. Dwane Casey is a proponent.
This whole, grinding Artest process leaves me with one overriding thought: Who would’ve believed Ron-Ron’s value could go down any more than it had last season?
*
I’ve changed my mind again about Phil Jackson. I now think he’s highly overpaid.
What was the Zen Hen’s rationale for keeping Kwame Brown in the game in the closing seconds of regulation against the Kings when the Lakers needed quickness to get up into Brad Miller before he had a chance to deadbolt proceedings from long distance? Brown didn’t even get close enough to foul Miller in the act of thinking about taking a 3 when the game clock got under five seconds.
Furthermore, after Odom fouled out in OT, what possessed Big Chief Triangle to put Luke Walton on Kenny Thomas (16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists), and leave him hanging there for three straight scores (sandwiched around a Laker timeout) in the low docks without sending any help? It must’ve been something Luke’s father said.
And another thing, why wouldn’t Basketball’s Yoda think to switch Kobe from covering Francisco Garcia to Michael Bibby (23 of his 40 in the fourth and OT)?
Think Bryant would’ve been up for that challenge?
Think the refs would’ve given him a little more contact leeway than any other Laker? Think Tex Winter needs to move his chair closer to the Lakers’ bench and get into Jackson’s ear?
*
The NFL stages its conference championships today with four teams trying to get to Detroit. The two that don’t make it earn Next Town Brown’s endorsement for getting out of Detroit. . . . Rumors persist that Ted Kennedy had a child out of wedlock. If true, that would entitle him to joint membership in both the Senate and the Players’ Association. . . .Seems Noble Peace Prize candidate Bill Russell was responsible for getting Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant to kiss and make up. I think I speak for all of you when I say, “Who gives a damn?”
No wonder I liked Wilt better.
*
Remember the good old days when NBA players were much more comfortable going on the stand rather than into them?
peter.vecsey@nypost.com
