Basketball Newsletter - Jan. 25, 2000
Will they stay or will they go?
Here is your weekly soap opera update of the continuing saga of the Vancouver Grizzlies:
January 20th - St. Louis millionaire Bill Laurie ended the most recent attempt to buy the struggling club from Seattle-owned Orca Bay when the two sides came to an "agreement on the termination of the purchase agreement..." Don't you love lawyers? Anyway, the NBA wouldn't allow the son-in-law of the Wal-Mart King to relocate his new team to the Show Me State. Good news for Vancouver fans, but how long will the city be willing to support 2 lousy sports franchises?
January 24th - Michael Heisley Sr. (why do big-time businessmen always have a Jr. or Sr. behind their names?) a Chicago millionaire steps in and pays $160M for the 5-year-old franchise, saying the magic words "I intend to do everything in my power to make this franchise a success in Vancouver." Uh-huh. Stay tuned.
Hello Mr. Jordan!
The rumours became truths this week as Air Michael touched down in Washington's MCI Center to begin his new career as President of Basketball Operations for the underachieving Wizards. CTVSportsnet.com's Paul Jay had these thoughts:
"Just imagine: Michael Jordan somehow manages to deal Strickland and Richmond, renegotiates Juwan Howard's contract, and miraculously has cap room left over. Hello Vince Carter!"
Check out the full column at
(retired link)
And speaking of the Raptors...
A cold snap hit Hogtown this week, and the Raptors have chilled right down with it. The up-and-coming darlings of the NBA, on the strength of the unbelievable Vince Carter, have been called the team of the future by everyone with a vested interest in the business of basketball. But a couple of ugly losses and some aggressive play that kept number 15 on the bench more than usual has the critics' mouths flapping. There is talk that Tracy McGrady, the talented guard who plays in the shadow of Carter, may be on the trading block. The Raptors are in need of defence (this in spite of their recent stingy 94-77 win over the Sonics) and T-Mac might be the right bait for the right team.
Who's hot
* Houston guard Steve Francis. He was named the NBA player of the week last week... the first rookie to receive the honour this year. And yes, we know Hakeem Olajuwon returned to the Rockets' lineup this week, but really it was the inspired play of Francis, averaging 22.3 points, 9.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game (he also shot 52 percent from the field) that helped Houston go 4-0 last week... they're actually on a 6-game win streak.
* The Charlotte Hornets. 'Nuff said about the recent tragedy, the Bee's have put together a 4-game winning streak, leapfrogging over the Bucks and the Pistons back into 2nd place in their division. A deal with Milwaukee brings veteran guard Dale Ellis to Charlotte, a move that will fill the gaping hole left by team captain Bobby Phills. Charlotte may just be a dark horse in the long playoff season ahead.
Who's not
* The Detroit Pistons' Grant Hill. Okay, maybe that's not fair, giving him the gears when he's out on his keester. But he really went out on his keester injuring his tailbone (ouch!) in a losing cause against the lowly Bulls. The thing is, when Hill ain't around, Jerry Stackhouse doesn't play his best game. So sorry, Grant, but we have to put you in the negative zone this week.
* The LA Clippers. Face it. There can be only one. And the Lakers have a stranglehold on it. The Clippers have lost 8 in a row as they seem to be vying for last place with their northern neighbours the Warriors. Lamar Odom is the only real bright spot this season, and maybe someday the Clippers will own LA. Don't hold your breath.
And another thing...
Maybe it's time to give Shaq his due. Yes, he's a bully. He's obnoxious. He doesn't pass the ball enough to his other talented teammates. But it may be time to admit, the guy can play! This season he's playing for a coach he respects, Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan's former coach, and the guy is on fire! He has had five 20-20 games, he's at the top of every offensive category, and he has really big hands! So we all know what a pain Shaquille O'Neal can be, but man is he a player!