http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/92485.html
Marty Mac's World: Contract or trade talk is all part of business
By Martin McNeal - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 12:38 am PST Thursday, December 14, 2006
Last summer, word leaked out that Kings guard Mike Bibby might take advantage of an opt-out clause in his contract after the current season. Under his contract, Bibby is scheduled to make $13.5 million in 2007-08 and $14.5 million in 2008-09, but presumably would like to make more money and/or explore any options that might arise.
Surely, that news wasn't the top of the morning for the Kings organization. But coincidentally or not, Bibby came into camp about 15 pounds lighter, moved quicker, and his jumper looked great.
Then Bibby injured his thumb and wrist during an exhibition game in Reno but returned to the lineup for the season opener. By the way, he'd have had to beat me down before I let him play -- winning in the first week of November never has clinched a playoff spot.
Bibby has played gallantly but not effectively enough early this season. And now he hears Kings co-owners, Gavin and Joe Maloof, hinting about the possibility of acquiring 76ers guard Allen Iverson, and Bibby's feelings get a little zinged.
Well, the truth is, if he can hint about re-upping his deal and/or leaving, the team can talk about shipping his butt out of town. Always business, never personal. And yes, that's Nino Brown from "New Jack City," so ease back.
Iverson acquisition
Certainly the Kings and Sixers had conversations about Philly's desire and need to trade Iverson, the league's leading scorer.
Wow! Isn't there something wrong with that sentence? How bad are things in Philly when you have to trade the NBA's leading scorer and you're no longer playing the dude?
The Sixers' front office wouldn't be doing its due diligence without calling every team in the league with value to exchange for the talented, tough little fella. So maybe it was the Sixers' Tony DiLeo and Sacramento's Wayne Cooper, who sit next to Billy King and Geoff Petrie, respectively, in their organization, who spoke. The bottom line is there was communication, but that's exploration of potential parameters, not negotiation of a deal.
Let's hope Petrie knows better than to make an exchange -- especially involving a mainstay like Bibby -- that doesn't bring an impact big man in return. That's Sacramento's true need: a big, quick, athletic frontcourt player capable of erasing defensive perimeter mistakes.
About the writer:
The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
Marty Mac's World: Contract or trade talk is all part of business
By Martin McNeal - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 12:38 am PST Thursday, December 14, 2006
Last summer, word leaked out that Kings guard Mike Bibby might take advantage of an opt-out clause in his contract after the current season. Under his contract, Bibby is scheduled to make $13.5 million in 2007-08 and $14.5 million in 2008-09, but presumably would like to make more money and/or explore any options that might arise.
Surely, that news wasn't the top of the morning for the Kings organization. But coincidentally or not, Bibby came into camp about 15 pounds lighter, moved quicker, and his jumper looked great.
Then Bibby injured his thumb and wrist during an exhibition game in Reno but returned to the lineup for the season opener. By the way, he'd have had to beat me down before I let him play -- winning in the first week of November never has clinched a playoff spot.
Bibby has played gallantly but not effectively enough early this season. And now he hears Kings co-owners, Gavin and Joe Maloof, hinting about the possibility of acquiring 76ers guard Allen Iverson, and Bibby's feelings get a little zinged.
Well, the truth is, if he can hint about re-upping his deal and/or leaving, the team can talk about shipping his butt out of town. Always business, never personal. And yes, that's Nino Brown from "New Jack City," so ease back.
Iverson acquisition
Certainly the Kings and Sixers had conversations about Philly's desire and need to trade Iverson, the league's leading scorer.
Wow! Isn't there something wrong with that sentence? How bad are things in Philly when you have to trade the NBA's leading scorer and you're no longer playing the dude?
The Sixers' front office wouldn't be doing its due diligence without calling every team in the league with value to exchange for the talented, tough little fella. So maybe it was the Sixers' Tony DiLeo and Sacramento's Wayne Cooper, who sit next to Billy King and Geoff Petrie, respectively, in their organization, who spoke. The bottom line is there was communication, but that's exploration of potential parameters, not negotiation of a deal.
Let's hope Petrie knows better than to make an exchange -- especially involving a mainstay like Bibby -- that doesn't bring an impact big man in return. That's Sacramento's true need: a big, quick, athletic frontcourt player capable of erasing defensive perimeter mistakes.
About the writer:
The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
