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Big names won't follow Jarvis
Posted: Friday May 19, 2000 01:48 PM
Mike Jarvis might be the next coach of the Wizards, but don't expect Knicks center Patrick Ewing to join his former high school coach in our nation's capital any day soon. Although some have speculated that the 37-year-old Ewing might be tempted to play for Jarvis -- as well as friend and Wizards team president Michael Jordan -- when his contract expires after next season, those close to Ewing say it will never happen. Ewing is set to make $14 million in 2000-01 and is not looking to take a big pay cut, something he would need to do in Washington. Same goes for Pistons free agent Grant Hill, who normally might be interested in the Wizards because of the team's proximitty to Reston, Va., where he grew up. Hill, however, is said to be looking for a chance to play for a contending team, especially if he has to settle for the $2.25 million exception, which is all Washington could offer this year under salary cap rules. Big O on the trade block?New Grizzlies GM Dick Versace admits he voided a deal at last February's trade deadline that would have sent power forward Othella Harrington to the Clippers for Maurice Taylor. Versace says he did so because Taylor was a free agent after the season and because Versace didn't yet know enough about his new team to make any personnel moves. Harrington, by the way, was not happy to hear Versace & Co. might ask him to come off the bench next year. Never a big fan of playing in Vancouver, Harrington has asked for a trade, preferably to a Western Conference team. El Sid joins Mavs college of coachesIn yet another sign that Don Nelson will be back as Mavericks coach next year, Dallas last week added former Bucks All-Star Sidney Moncrief to its ever-expanding list of assistant coaches. Moncrief, who will be defensive assistant in charge of guards, is the 11th coach on the staff. Nelson hasn't confirmed yet that he intends to return to the bench, but the hiring of a close friend like Moncrief indicates it's a done deal. Moncrief, by the way, fits the description of owner Mark Cuban' s head coaching profile and will be groomed as a successor for the job when Nelson moves on. MJ still peeved to the maxJordan was in Chicago earlier this month to attend the premier of his new IMAX film, Michael Jordanto the Max, along with former North Carolina coach Dean Smith and several of Jordan's former Bulls teammates. His Airness was said to have enjoyed the show, but could barely watch footage of one missed last-second shot: a 40-foot heave in Game 4 of the '98 Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers that barely rimmed out and allowed Indiana to tie the series 2-2. "I still can't believe I missed that shot!" Jordan was overheard telling friends in the lobby long after the show had ended. In case you missed itHornets forward Anthony Mason and Carolina Panthers fullback William Floyd got into a fight last week at a popular Charlotte comedy club after someone sitting near Floyd's group threw a glass near the area where Mason and friends were seated. No arrests were made, but Mason and Floyd have been banned from the club. ... Sixers guard Allen Iverson recently purchased a new two-tone blue Bentley. Estimated price tag: $335,000. ... The Cavaliers are concerned that center Zydrunas Ilgauskas might not be ready for training camp in October. Ilgauskas underwent left foot surgery last January, and has been slow to heal. ...Former NBA star Rick Barry told the Newark Star-Ledger he had written a letter to George Steinbrenner expressing his desire to coach the team. Barry currently coaches the Florida Sea Dragons of the USBL. NBA Mailbag A lot was made of the ridiculous first-round scheduling by NBC and TNT/TBS.
How were the ratings, and do you think the NBA would be foolish enough to go
with that kind of crazy scheduling next
year?
You mean you didn't like being able to see every one of those Heat-Pistons games? Seriously, the NBA says ratings were up only slightly from a year ago. No word yet on whether it will stick with the crazy schedule next year. You and Phil Jackson are wrong if you think that the Spurs getting knocked
out means that last year's title should have an asterisk. There is one reason
and one reason alone why the Spurs didn't advance: No Tim Duncan. Stop
disparaging the Spurs. Their title was as legit as
any.
I didn't say it was fair, just that history might view it that way. If you don't believe me, ask a Rockets fan. Who are you to question Patrick Ewing? He is a very important part of the success of the Knicks now and past. No, he isn't the player that he used to be
but he is still a major contributor to the team. Without him, they have no
chance of winning the NBA championship. I put you and Fred Hickman in the same
boat, the
Titanic!
Ouch. That last line was uncalled for. (Just kidding, Fred). Sports Illustrated staff writer Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Look for his columns on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Click here to send Marty a comment.
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