SHORTLY after getting over the shock of Lenny Wilkens resignation (J.R. Rider was fined for being late to the press conference) as Hawks’ coach, it came to my attention that the Nets and Julius Erving are exceedingly close to reuniting.
Firming up the numbers, that’s where the two sides are at, sources reveal. Barring a last-second hitch, Erving should be hired within the week to oversee what’s left of the team’s entire basketball operation.
(And the only way Kareem Abdul-Jabbar could get back into the league was as an assistant coach of the Clippers?!)
In anticipation of the Nets reclaiming the man who led the franchise to its only two (ABA) championships, NBA Entertainment and TNT are working feverishly to finish the documentary, “Whatever happened to Michael Rowe?”
Rowe, the team’s president, was last seen on line at the NBA’s checkout counter along with GM John Nash, coach Don Casey and Wilkens. Rowe, Nash and Casey are guaranteed to be excised when Erving’s contract as Magic VP expires and he officially re-takes control of the Nets’ (mis)fortunes.
Wilkens’ resignation reminds me of the way I excused myself from Hofstra midway into my freshman year; fighting a losing struggle in the classroom, I left before being asked to leave.
Facing certain termination, Wilkens choose to avoid the disgrace of being axed for the first time in his Hall of Fame career as the league’s all-time winningest coach.
Then again, maybe he just preferred not to be a distraction to the Hawks during the playoffs.
One way or the other, unless Wilkens gets another head job within the next two seasons, he’ll receive the remaining $10.4 million on his Hawks contract.
(There will be so many openings, he’s almost sure to hook on somewhere. Therefore, whatever he’s paid will be subtracted from Atlanta’s tab).
That should be more than enough insight to explain what really happened here.
Oh, yeah, during the press conference, Wilkens just played the veterans. Afterward, he pledged several million dollars to discover a cure for a $12M center without offense.
Congratulations are obviously in order to Hawks GM Pete Babcock for creating the longest rebuilding process in the South since reconstruction.
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AFTER Wince Carter began Game 1 shooting 0-12, Butch Carter sued him.
The only part of game more off target the first half than Wince’s forced shots (0-for-8) was his wild passes. Especially the one that sailed out of bounds way over Tracy McGrady’s head. Wince compounded that fracture by angrily gesturing at his distant cousin, as if the 20-year-old (playing like he should have come out of Mount Zion after his junior year) should’ve grown three feet taller on the play.
During the ensuing time out, Wince demonstrated how uptight he was for his playoff initiation by staying ticked at McGrady. As much pressure as the Knicks exerted, Wince is putting more on himself.
This just in: Butch Carter now claims Marcus Camby’s tattoos are slurs against his character.
You’ve heard of players’ coaches? Butch Carter is a lawyer’s coach.
Butch’s post-game press conference featured one microphone and a dozen stenographers.
For Game 2, Butch plans to waive Wince and activated Judge Judy.
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SCOTTIE Pippen played Game 1 as if he were still on Jerry Krause’s underpaid list.
A good thing, too, because Rasheed Wallace displayed the maturity of Dennis Rodman.
With the first round spread out over two weeks, there are a number of series that are a long way from being over. Come to think of it, there was less space between games in the lockout than during the first round of these playoffs.
Tim Duncan should be ready for Game 3 of the Olympics.
Paul Westphal after Game 1, in which Karl Malone flossed the Sonics for 50 points: “Greg Ostertag (10 rebounds, five blocks, seven points, 26 minutes) was the difference. If he doesn’t play like Wilt Chamberlain, the game is winnable despite what Karl did.”
Jerry Sloan followed up that gushing statement by noting, “That’s probably the best he’s ever played in his [overpaid] life.”
You know you’re (Westphal) in trouble when you’re still juggling your starting lineup during the national anthem.
FYI: In 10 years, Derrick Coleman has never won a playoff series or a citizenship award.
Sixer GM Billy King apologized to Allen Iverson for Larry Brown not being involved in the latest controversy.
More people attended George Shinn’s trial than the Hornets’ playoff opener (15,023); it was the team’s first non-sellout of a playoff game.
Jerry Stackhouse accused Alonzo Mourning of “playing with all those fake emotions.” Zo then accused Stackhouse of playing with all those real (five) turnovers.” Grant Hill added six.
P.J. Brown said: “We’re on a mission and the mission is bigger than Jerry Stackhouse and the Pistons.”
The Pistons’ medical staff has assured George Irvine that Hill won’t injure his foot further by playing. Being swept will definitely speed up the healing process.
Game 1 was so ugly, the handful of people that were inside American Airlines Arena (the only ones in South Florida not protesting) were hoping Janet Reno would have them forcibly removed.
Rick Adelman says he doesn’t think Game 1 was officiated the same way at both ends of the Dyan Cannon.
The Lakers had more offensive rebounds (25) than luxury boxes.
Chris Webber on Robert Horry’s alleged flops: “If Horry isn’t a true power forward, then don’t play him at that position. You don’t tell a pitcher not to pitch fast to a guy who can’t hit a fastball.”
When Rik Smits plays well in the low post, Larry Bird considers it a low post present.
Glenn Robinson went 4-for-17 in Game 1 and immediately offered shooting tips to Wince Carter.
George Karl says he’s grateful TNT is not tape delaying the Bucks-Pacers series.
Had the Raptors not come back from their 19-point deficit to tie Game 1 in New York, Butch Carter planned to sue NBC for telecasting it.
Pat Riley accused Elian Gonzalez’ Miami relatives of quitting.
