Nowhere to Hide. The Mike Hobbs Story

[RMJH4]

Re: Chapter 5: Recruiting.

I am no fan of the Knicks, but I like how you are doing things here, and it's interesting to see Ewing be the selfless vet and some semi-competent leadership running the Knicks.

Thanks stud! Yeah the Knicks have always been my favorite 2nd team. I was trying to pinpoint when It all started to go wrong for them, and I decided this season was the beginning of the end for them, so wanted to start there.

[RMJH4]

NBA Free Agency Roundup 2000

Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady join Orlando Magic. Duncan and Robinson back with Spurs.

Major Free Agency Signings.
Chicago Bulls signed Ron Mercer as a free agent.
Phoenix Suns signed Daniel Santiago as a free agent.
San Antonio Spurs signed Raja Bell as a free agent.
Phoenix Suns signed Ruben Garces as a free agent.
Phoenix Suns signed Daniel Santiago as a free agent.
Orlando Magic signed Dee Brown as a free agent.
Boston Celtics signed Randy Brown as a free agent.
Vancouver Grizzlies signed Tony Massenburg as a free agent.
Utah Jazz signed John Starks as a free agent.
New Jersey Nets signed Aaron Williams as a free agent.
New York Knicks signed Chauncey Billups as a free agent.
New York Knicks sign Felton Spencer as a free agent.
Vancouver Grizzlies signed Damon Jones as a free agent.
Chicago Bulls signed Brad Miller as a free agent.
The Los Angeles Lakers signed Isaiah Rider as a free agent.


Major Trades
Orlando Magic traded Chucky Atkins and Ben Wallace to the Detroit Pistons for Grant Hill.

Orlando Magic traded a future 1st round pick to the Toronto Raptors for Tracy McGrady.

Cleveland Cavaliers traded Andrew DeClercq to the Orlando Magic for Matt Harpring.

The Washington Wizards traded Isaac Austin to the Vancouver Grizzlies for Obinna Ekezie, Felipe Lopez, Cherokee Parks and Dennis Scott.

The Milwaukee Bucks traded Billy Owens to the Detroit Pistons for Lindsey Hunter.

In a 3-team trade, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Shawn Kemp to the Portland Trail Blazers; the Miami Heat traded Chris Gatling, Clarence Weatherspoon and a 2001 1st round draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers; the Portland Trail Blazers traded Gary Grant to the Cleveland Cavaliers; and the Portland Trail Blazers traded Brian Grant to the Miami Heat.

The Indiana Pacers traded Dale Davis to the Portland Trail Blazers for Joe Kleine and Jermaine O'Neal.

The Miami Heat traded P.J. Brown, Rodney Buford, Tim James, Jamal Mashburn and Otis Thorpe to the Charlotte Hornets for Ricky Davis, Dale Ellis, Eddie Jones and Anthony Mason.

The Denver Nuggets traded Popeye Jones and a 2002 2nd round draft pick to the Washington Wizards for Tracy Murray.

The Toronto Raptors traded Doug Christie to the Sacramento Kings for Corliss Williamson.

In a 4-team trade, the Boston Celtics traded Dana Barros to the Dallas Mavericks; the Boston Celtics traded Danny Fortson to the Golden State Warriors; the Dallas Mavericks traded Robert Pack, Hot Rod Williams and cash to the Boston Celtics; the Dallas Mavericks traded Bruno Šundov to the Utah Jazz; the Golden State Warriors traded Bill Curley to the Dallas Mavericks; the Golden State Warriors traded Donyell Marshall to the Utah Jazz; the Utah Jazz traded a 2001 1st round draft pick to the Boston Celtics; the Utah Jazz traded Howard Eisley to the Dallas Mavericks; and the Utah Jazz traded Adam Keefe to the Golden State Warriors.

The Boston Celtics traded Calbert Cheaney and Robert Pack to the Denver Nuggets for Chris Herren and Bryant Stith.

Retirements.
Kevin Johnson retired from the Phoenix Suns.
Rik Smits retired from the Indiana Pacers.
Terry Cummings retired from the Golden State Warriors.
Rex Chapman retired from the Phoenix Suns.

[RMJH4]

Chapter 6: Picking up the Pieces.

Really disappointed with Grant. He didn't even ring to tell us he changed his mind to Orlando. Detroit were interested in taking Sprewell and Camby but Hill didn't sign for us. I think Detroit got a poor deal with Chucky Atkins and Ben Wallace. With McGrady joining him in Orlando they will be a force. That is if Grants ankle is healed up this season. I've heard his scan's don't look great.

One success I had was signing Chauncey Billups as a back up point guard. Chauncey has bounced around quite a few teams like Boston, Toronto and Orlando. With him taking the room exception it gives us an opportunity to still move some pieces. Felton Spencer was our second signing and he will add more depth to the frontcourt.

But we haven't reeled in any big fish yet. I've got to keep working the phones and see what deal's present their-selves over the next few months. Their are a big number of players entering the last year of their contracts so we could prize some of them away. We are way over the cap this year with $73,556,256 committed with a $35,500,000 Salary Cap.

Next year we drop down to $50,000,000 before Chris and John decide on their player options. If they don't pick them up we are down to $41,200,000.

The cap for next season is projected to be $45,000,000. So things are looking up. But I've got to play it smart. Patrick will not be happy if I can't get another star in here. He said he'd request a trade. James Dolan want's to win, but unless we get another superstar in here I am not ruining the salary cap number we can get down to next season and the season after.

There is no reason to think we can't make another run at the Eastern Conference with some small moves. Picking up Chauncey, the kid Redd and Eddie House gives us some stellar shooting off the bench. We needed to add some youth with LJ, Pat and Charlie getting up there in years.

We have a good number of trade assets to use though so I will keep these in mind.

Draft Picks:
1st Rd 2001.
1st Rd 2002.
1st Rd 2003.

Expiring Contracts:
Patrick Ewing - $14,000,000
Allan Houston - $9,000,000

Player Options:
Chris Dudley - $6,200,000
John Wallace - $2,600,000

We have a number of players that are only committed for two seasons:
Marcus Camby
Kurt Thomas
Chris Childs
Felton Spencer
Chauncey Billups
Michael Redd
Eddie House

Finally long term contracts:
Latrell Sprewell - 4 Years
Charlie Ward - 4 Years
Larry Johnson - 3 Years


Trade Targets:
PG: Jason Kidd (Suns), Stephon Marbury (Nets), Gary Payton (Sonics)
SG: Michael Finley (Mavericks)
SF: Glen Rice (Lakers), Keith Van Horn (Nets)
PF: Chris Webber (Kings), Vin Baker (Sonics), Antonio McDyess (Nuggets)
C: Dikembe Mutombo (Hawks), Theo Ratliff (76ers)

[RMJH4]

Eastern Conference Preview.

Eastern Conference Preview.

ATLANTIC DIVISION

MIAMI HEAT
Last season -- 52-30. Knocked out by the Knicks in the playoffs three straight years.

Additions
G Eddie Jones,
F Anthony Mason, G Ricky Davis,
F Dale Ellis, F Brian Grant,
G Rick Brunson, F Todd Fuller,
F Don MacLean, G Eddie House.

Key losses
C Alonzo Mourning, F P.J. Brown,
F Jamal Mashburn, F Otis Thorpe,
F Clarence Weatherspoon.

Outlook -- Losing Mourning for the season to a kidney disorder may be one of the cruelest blows in Pat Riley's career. His first victory will be the 1,000th of his coaching career, and he has much to be optimistic about after remaking the Heat. Questions remain: Can Grant play center in a not-so-rugged East and can Tim Hardaway's aching knees last beyond an 82-game grind? Somehow, some way, Riley will get them to the finals.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Last season -- 49-33. Slipped to Pacers in the second round the past two years.

Key losses

G Kevin Ollie

Outlook -- Beyond all the combustible possibilities between the rap artist/point guard Allen Iverson and the old-school coach/new-school baby sitter Larry Brown, the 76ers have one of the league's more experienced, stable teams. But Claxton, the rookie point guard from Hofstra, is gone with a season-ending knee injury. Still, Toni Kukoc is only going to get more comfortable with his teammates, and a front line featuring Theo Ratliff and Matt Geiger qualifies as loaded in the East. Iverson's crossover is still the most deadly weapon in the conference, lethal enough to combat his off-court distractions. He could lead the 76ers to the finals. Of course, he could also be traded before the season opener.

NEW YORK KNICKS

Last season -- 50-32. Two straight conference finals appearances.

Additions
G Eddie House, Chauncey Billups, F Michael Redd, C Felton Spencer

Key losses
None

Outlook -- After Jerry Sloan, Rudy Tomjanovich and Pat Riley, what coach has the most longevity with one team? Jeff Van Gundy, the original survivor. Now, he has to get Ewing to play the good soldier as sixth man, make his big men bring the ball upcourt occasionally and deliver another dramatic playoff run. Allan Houston is one of the best shooters in the league. Ewing is a shadow of himself, but once he is healthy, New Yorkers will have one last run with big Pat. Unless they trade him that is. Knicks are already looking towards next summer for reloading when Houston and Ewing come off the books. Marcus Camby has made it clear he is not a center. The bigger issue is, can he be a healthy forward?

ORLANDO MAGIC

Last season -- 41-41. Hasn't made it to the second round since Shaq left.

Additions
F Grant Hill, G Tracy McGrady,
F Andrew DeClercq, F Mike Miller, G Dee Brown,
G Troy Hudson, C Don Reid.

Key losses
F Ben Wallace, G Chucky Atkins,
G Corey Maggette, F Derek Strong, G Ron Mercer,
G Matt Harpring, G Chauncey Billups.

Outlook -- Landing Hill and McGrady is a nice catch, but the big fish stayed in San Antonio. Without Tim Duncan, the Magic is another high-octane East team and little else. Neither Hill nor McGrady has the personality to implode, so chemistry between the two stars shouldn't be a problem. But of all Orlando's key losses, Atkins may hurt the most. When Darrell Armstrong was out, Atkins made that team go.

NEW JERSEY NETS

Last season -- 31-51. Nets are on their fourth coach in four years.

Additions
F Kenyon Martin, F Soumaila Samake,
F Aaron Williams.

Key losses
F Jayson Williams,
F Scott Burrell.

Outlook -- Offering Kendall Gill enough money to spurn an offer from the Lakers may have been one of their best off-season moves. With Kittles's health a major concern and Keith Van Horn missing perhaps the first six weeks with a broken leg, Gill emerges as one of the few players who can keep the ship afloat before January. Stephon Marbury should finally have an All-Star moment. If Byron Scott is patient, the Nets could return to the postseason for the first time since 1997.

BOSTON CELTICS

Last season -- 35-47. It's Year 4 of Rick Pitino's refurbishing plan.

Additions
F Jerome Moiso, G Bryant Stith,
G Randy Brown, G Chris Carr.

Key losses
F Danny Fortson, G Dana Barros,
G Robert Pack.

Outlook -- Antoine Walker, Paul Pierce and Kenny Anderson qualify as a solid nucleus, but Pitino has yet to find a cast of role players to push the Celtics into the playoffs. One brutal statistic emerges: he is 180-198 as an N.B.A. coach, and if the winning percentage doesn't rise soon, Pitino has said he will not coach the Celtics beyond this season. Pierce, still recovering from a nightclub stabbing over the summer, has All-Star potential.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Last season -- 29-53. Franchise has not won a playoff game in 12 years.

Additions
G Felipe Lopez, F Cherokee Parks,
F Obinna Ekeze, F Popeye Jones, F Mike Smith.

Key losses
G Tracy Murray, C Ike Austin,
F Aaron Williams, C Don Reid.

Outlook -- Juwan Howard, Mitch Richmond and Rod Strickland have a huge burden. Because of their salaries, the Wizards are almost unable to trade them or put a nice assortment of players around them. The reality is, Howard has played three playoff games since signing a $105 million contract in 1996; it doesn't appear he will play another in Washington anytime soon.

CENTRAL DIVISION

TORONTO RAPTORS

Last season -- 45-37. Since Charles Oakley has been there, they've won.

Additions
G Mark Jackson, F Corliss Williamson,
G Morris Peterson.

Key losses
G Tracy McGrady, G Dee Brown,
G Doug Christie.

Outlook -- With Mark Jackson now at the point setting up the breathtaking Vince Carter and Lenny Wilkens, the game's winningest coach, on the sideline, Toronto looks strong. Throw in a big-man stable of Antonio Davis, Williamson, Charles Oakley and Kevin Willis, and this is a team capable of advancing to the finals. Losing McGrady to Orlando hurt, but not enough to prevent the Raptors from at least getting out of the first round.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Last season -- 42-40. Came within a defensive rebound of upsetting Pacers in first round.

Additions
F Jason Caffey, C Joel Przybilla,
G Lindsey Hunter.

Key losses
F Billy Owens, F Danny Manning,
G Vinny Del Negro, F Robert Traylor.

Outlook -- Ray Allen is on the cusp of becoming one of the game's top five players. Glenn Robinson still has trouble guarding anyone and Sam Cassell's herky-jerky game has been constrained by minor injuries the past two years. But Caffey was a nice pickup, along with the rookie Przybilla. The Bucks play defense almost as hard as New York. If they don't tune George Karl out, they could win the conference.

CHARLOTTE HORNETS

Last season -- 49-33. Charlotte has gone 71-46 with Paul Silas in charge.

Additions
F P.J. Brown, F Jamal Mashburn,
F Tim James, F Otis Thorpe, G Hersey Hawkins,
F Jamaal Magloire, F Lee Nailon.

Key losses
G Eddie Jones, F Anthony Mason,
F Dale Ellis, G Ricky Davis.

Outlook -- Brown and Derrick Coleman will reprise a front line from their Nets days, and Mashburn may play more shooting guard than small forward. If Hawkins has enough left in his jumper and Eddie Robinson and Baron Davis keep maturing, Charlotte will make it out of the first round.

INDIANA PACERS

Last season -- 56-26. Three straight conference finals appearances.

Additions
C Jermaine O'Neal, C Terry Mills.

Key losses
C Rik Smits,
F Dale Davis,
G Mark Jackson,
F Chris Mullin.

Outlook -- Don't discount the drive and passion of Reggie Miller, who at 35 still wants the ball with the season in the balance. Whether someone can deliver it to him as timely as did Jackson is another story. Miller, Jalen Rose and Austin Croshere are solid veterans, but after that Indiana pins its hopes on a kiddie corps: O'Neal, Jonathan Bender and Al Harrington. Smits is retired and Dale Davis is in Portland. Luckily, for Coach Isiah Thomas who takes over for Larry Bird, Conseco Fieldhouse is already sold out for the season.

DETROIT PISTONS

Last season -- 42-40. Swept in the first round by Miami.

Additions
F Ben Wallace, G Chucky Atkins,
F Cedric Ceballos, F John Wallace, F Billy Owens,
G Mateen Cleaves.

Key losses
F Grant Hill, F Christian Laettner, C Terry Mills, G Lindsey Hunter, G John Crotty.

Outlook -- Jerry Stackhouse is now a permanent go-to guy. Although Hill went to Orlando and Laettner moved to Dallas, Atkins, Ceballos and Wallace give Detroit a more up-tempo, seat-of-the-pants look. Like most teams in the East, the Pistons don't need a bona fide All-Star center to win. If they only played defense, they could make a playoff push.

ATLANTA HAWKS

Last season -- 28-54. Looking back, getting rid of Steve Smith made no sense.

Additions
G DerMarr Johnson, G Anthony Johnson,
F Hanno Mottola.

Key losses
F LaPhonso Ellis, G Bimbo Coles.

Outlook -- Most coaches didn't want this job. Lon Kruger takes over a tough situation. Unless the Hawks surprise early, Dikembe Mutombo is essentially trade bait, the missing link for a playoff team. Atlanta is not reloading; it is clearly reconstructing.

CHICAGO BULLS

Last season -- 17-65. Since Michael Jordan hit his shot in Utah, the Bulls are 30-102.

Additions
G Ron Mercer, C Brad Miller, G Bryce Drew, F Marcus Fizer, G Jamal Crawford, F Dragan Tarlac,
G A.J. Guyton, C Jake Voskuhl.

Key losses
C Chris Anstey, G Hersey Hawkins,
G Matt Maloney, G Randy Brown, C Will Perdue.

Outlook -- Elton Brand has help. Mercer, a late free-agent acquisition after every big-name player told Jerry Krause no, should blossom. The rookies Fizer and Crawford can play. The Bulls have salary-cap money for next summer. The bad news? This is the year the heretofore patient fans revolt, and the United Center becomes vacant.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Last season -- 32-50. Zydrunas Ilgauskas has played only five games in two years.

Additions
F Clarence Weatherspoon, F Chris Gatling,
F J.R. Reid, F Robert Traylor, C Chris Mihm,
G Bimbo Coles, F Matt Harpring.

Key losses
F Shawn Kemp, C Andrew DeClercq,
G Bob Sura, F Danny Ferry.

Outlook -- They finally got rid of Kemp and his inflated contract, but they hardly got equal value. Randy Wittman has another tough assignment. If Ilgauskas, the 7-foot-3-inch Lithuanian center, can have an injury-free year, Cleveland could be in decent shape. But the Cavaliers are not good enough to escape the lottery.

[RMJH4]

Western Conference Preview.

Western Conference Preview.

MIDWEST DIVISION

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Last season -- 53-29. The first defending champion to be knocked out in the first round since the 1984 76ers.

Additions
G Derek Anderson, F Danny Ferry.

Key losses
G Mario Elie, C Felton Spencer,
F Jerome Kersey.

Outlook -- Tim Duncan is slowly returning to full strength after knee surgery. David Robinson has at least two good years left. Coaxing Anderson to play for a pittance was a coup. But who knows how well Sean Elliott will hold up over 82 games? The Spurs have the depth to get back to the conference finals, but don't have the backcourt to overcome the Lakers.

UTAH JAZZ

Last season -- 55-27. The Jazz is 637-296 in 13 years under Jerry Sloan.

Additions
F Donyell Marshall, G John Starks, F Danny Manning, F Donnell Harvey, G John Crotty.

Key losses
G Jeff Hornacek, G Howard Eisley, F Adam Keefe, F Armen Gilliam.

Outlook -- Starks and Sloan are both capable of detonating at any time. But from the occasional explosion should emerge a veteran team with genuine desire left. Karl Malone and John Stockton are a young 37 and 38, respectively, poised to make one last run. Bryon Russell will have to shoulder more of the scoring, with Eisley in Dallas and Hornacek retired. Utah can find a way into the conference finals after a two-year hiatus. Can it win the West? No.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Last season -- 50-32. Will the Joe Smith contract debacle kill their playoff hopes?

Additions
G Reggie Slater, F LaPhonso Ellis

Key losses
G Malik Sealy, G Bobby Jackson.

Outlook -- After Commissioner David Stern last week took away draft picks, levied fines and voided the secret deal between Smith and the team, the Timberwolves' future looks bleak. What's more, one of their best role players, Sealy, was killed in a car accident. Somehow, Kevin Garnett wills them into the playoffs.

DALLAS MAVERICKS

Last season -- 40-42. In his fourth season with Mavericks, Don Nelson is 75-123.

Additions
F Christian Laettner, F Loy Vaught,
G Howard Eisley, G Courtney Alexander,
F Etan Thomas, F Eduardo Najera.

Key losses
G Robert Pack, F Cedric Ceballos.

Outlook -- The Mavericks made a nice run at the end of last season and should be improved with Laettner in the frontcourt and Eisley at the point. Enthusiasm abounds for a once-moribund franchise. But they don't have enough All-Stars to make the playoffs.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

Last season -- 34-48. Hakeem Olajuwon will be 38 in January.

Additions
F Maurice Taylor, C Jason Collier.

Key losses
F Charles Barkley, F Tony Massenburg,
G Bryce Drew.

Outlook -- In his second year, Steve Francis will remind a lot of people of Allen Iverson: unreal moves, boundless energy, a 6-foot player carrying a team almost by himself. Cuttino Mobley and Shandon Anderson are nice complementary players, but Olajuwon's last season does not appear to be headed beyond 82 games.

DENVER NUGGETS

Last season -- 35-47. Haven't been to the playoffs since Dikembe Mutombo left.

Additions
G Robert Pack, G Calbert Cheaney,
F Mark Strickland, G Voshon Lenard, G Tracy Murray,
C Mamadou N'Diaye.

Key losses
G Bryant Stith, G Chris Herren,
F Popeye Jones, F Chris Gatling.

Outlook -- Antonio McDyess has All-Star potential. Raef LaFrentz and Nick Van Exel give Denver two proven scorers, but Coach Dan Issel has too many question marks on the bench for the Nuggets to make a genuine run. Denver could sneak into the playoffs.

VANCOUVER GRIZZLIES

Last season -- 22-60. New owner, new management, same results.

Additions
F Stromile Swift, F Tony Massenburg,
C Ike Austin, G Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, G Damon Jones.

Key losses
G Felipe Lopez, G Dennis Scott,
F Obinna Ekezie, F Cherokee Parks, F Antoine Carr.

Outlook -- Michael Dickerson and Othella Harrington give Shareef Abdur-Rahim help. And Abdul-Rauf's return to the N.B.A. should be good theatre. But Coach Sidney Lowe would need an N.C. State-type miracle to pull the Grizzlies from the cellar.

PACIFIC DIVISION

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Last season -- 67-15. Shaq and Kobe's combined average: 51.9 points a game.

Additions
F Horace Grant, C Greg Foster,
G Isaiah Rider, F Mark Madsen.

Key losses
F A.C. Green

Outlook -- Shaquille O'Neal lobbied long and hard to land a power forward to help him defend the redwoods in Portland and San Antonio's twin towers. But that didn't happen. Kobe Bryant and Rider will have some issues to work out on the perimeter. But chemistry could also be a problem, especially with O' Neal and Bryant bickering behind the scenes. Winning doesn't fix everything. Still the favorites to retain their title, but expect a lot of trade rumors if things don't settle down.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Last Season -- 59-23. Two straight conference finals appearances.

Additions
F Shawn Kemp, F Dale Davis, C Will Perdue,
G Erick Barkley.

Key losses
F Detlef Schrempf,
F Brian Grant,
C Jermaine O'Neal.

Outlook -- In Kemp, Davis and Perdue they have three big bodies to try and push Shaq off the blocks and more depth than any roster. But for all their talent and experience, they still have major questions. Can Arvydas Sabonis hold up? Will Rasheed Wallace blow a fuse? Can Damon Stoudamire and Greg Anthony direct the Blazers to a title? The parts still don't fit perfectly.

SEATTLE SUPERSONICS

Last season -- 45-37.

Additions
F Desmond Mason, C Pervis Ellison, G Randy Livingston, F Dickey Simpkins.

Key losses
F Chuck Person, C Greg Foster.

Outlook -- Gary Payton and Vin Baker need a presence in the middle to contend, but they didn’t get it this offseason. The kid Rashard Lewis needs to really take the next step after resigning on a multi year deal. Could be a tough year. Payton trade rumors could be plentiful this season.

PHOENIX SUNS

Last season -- 53-29. Penny Hardaway hasn't been to the second round since 1995.

Additions
C Jake Tsakalidis.
G Tony Delk, G Mario Elie, G Paul McPherson.

Key losses
G Kevin Johnson, G Toby Bailey, F Don MacLean, G Todd Day, C Oliver Miller.

Outlook -- Jason Kidd and Hardaway are one of the best 1-2 combinations in the league. With Tom Gugliotta due back in December and players like Shawn Marion and Mario Elie providing intangibles, the Suns will run, gun and have fun. But without a bona-fide center, they won't go beyond the first round. They hope Tsakalidis can become that and take over from Longley.

SACRAMENTO KINGS

Last season -- 44-38. Will Chris Webber's free-agent status cause a distraction?

Additions
G Doug Christie, G Bobby Jackson.

Key losses
F Corliss Williamson, G Tony Delk,
F Tyrone Corbin.

Outlook -- No one will make the all-defensive team, but Webber, Jason Williams, Vlade Divac and crew will again be one of the league's top draws. Throwing an acrobatic Christie into the mix should make for even better highlight material. But losing the steady role players Williamson and Delk hurt. With Williams missing the first five games because he didn't show up for his offseason counselling sessions after testing positive for marijuana, you wonder about the Kings.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Last season -- 19-63. The Warriors last appeared in the playoffs in 1994.

Additions
F Danny Fortson, F Adam Keefe, G Bob Sura, G Vinny Del Negro, F Chris Porter, F Chris Mullin.

Key losses
F Jason Caffey, F Donyell Marshall,
F Bill Curley.

Outlook -- Larry Hughes and a healthy Antwan Jamison should at least hold the Bay Area's interest until January. The truth: Coach Dave Cowens has a rough season ahead.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Last season -- 15-67. The Clippers have a national TV appearance on Dec. 20.

Additions
F Darius Miles, G Keyon Dooling,
G Quentin Richardson, F Derek Strong,
G Corey Maggette, C Sean Rooks, G Earl Boykins,
C Zendon Hamilton.

Key losses
G Derek Anderson, F Maurice Taylor,
F Pete Chilcutt.

Outlook -- If Alvin Gentry's patience was tested in Detroit, you wonder how much it will be tested with this franchise. Half the roster is under 22. Led by the 19-year-old Miles, the Clippers could be one of two things: one of the league's most exciting young teams or a maddening bunch of knuckleheads still trying to learn the game.

[studbucket]

Re: Nowhere to Hide. The Mike Hobbs Story

I was going to ask if 'Zo was out due to a kidney disease, and then you answered it. He could be a player the Knicks get for cheap if he can return, and he has an existing relationship with Ewing.

Thanks stud! Yeah the Knicks have always been my favorite 2nd team. I was trying to pinpoint when It all started to go wrong for them, and I decided this season was the beginning of the end for them, so wanted to start there.

Yeah, this is exactly where it all started going wrong, good call.

[RMJH4]

Re: Nowhere to Hide. The Mike Hobbs Story

I was going to ask if 'Zo was out due to a kidney disease, and then you answered it. He could be a player the Knicks get for cheap if he can return, and he has an existing relationship with Ewing.






Yeah, this is exactly where it all started going wrong, good call.

Yeah Zo is out alright! Hopefully keeps the Heat away from some battle with the Knicks!

There are a lot of players that could be on the move this season, so many big name free agents, and a few players that franchises are growing impatient with too.

[RMJH4]

GM1 NYK v Spurs

Game 1: New York Knicks 102 - 101 San Antonio Spurs

October 23rd, 2000 | by ESPN.COM

Knicks Starters
C. Ward
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
M. Camby
P. Ewing

Spurs Starters
A. Johnson
D. Anderson
S. Elliott
T. Duncan
D. Robinson


Game Leaders
Pts - 20 - T. Duncan (Spurs)
Rebs - 20 - T. Duncan (Spurs)
Asts - 9 - L. Sprewell (Knicks)
Stls - 3 - C. Ward (Knicks)
Blks - 3 - T. Duncan (Spurs), P. Ewing (Knicks)

Player of the Game
T. Duncan (Spurs)
20pts, 20 rebs, 3 asts, 3 blks

Game Recap by David Aldridge.

"The Knicks escaped from the Alamodome tonight with a hard fought one point victory. Despite Tim Duncans dominance down low, the Knicks perimeter gang won out tonight. Allan Houston had 19 points, Sprewell 16 but vitally rookie Michael Redd scored 17 points in 17 minutes. Redd was on fire from the moment he stepped on the floor and coach Jeff Van Gundy had no choice but to continue to play him throughout. The Knicks may have unearthed a gem in the second round of the draft. Marcus Camby may have a point when he asks to play power forward. Tonight he had 15 points and 13 rebounds, and certainly gave a really good effort at guarding Duncan. If the Knicks bench can produce like they did tonight, they are a real threat to challenge for the East again."

[RMJH4]

Game 2 Knicks @ Nets

Game 2: New York Knicks 102 - 100 New Jersey Nets

October 25th, 2000 | by ESPN.COM

Knicks Starters
C. Ward
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
M. Camby
P. Ewing

Nets Starters
S. Marbury
K. Kittles
K. Van Horn
K. Martin
A. Wiliams


Game Leaders
Pts - 30 - S. Marbury (Nets)
Rebs - 18 - A. Williams (Nets)
Asts - 11 - C. Ward (Knicks)
Stls - 4 - S. Marbury (Nets)
Blks - 3 - P. Ewing (Knicks)

Player of the Game
A. Houston (Knicks)
26pts, 6 rebs, 3 asts, 1 stl

Game Recap by David Aldridge.

"2-0 start now for the Knicks as they dug in to earn another close victory. Allan Houston was outstanding and lead by example tonight. Stephon Marbury was almost unstoppable, and the Knicks tried, Ward, Childs and even Chauncey Billups on him. Larry Johnson had a throwback game for the Knicks with 18 points and 13 rebounds, and showed the rookie Kenyon Martin he has plenty to learn in the NBA. The Knicks rookie Michael Redd earned 17 minutes again, and was impressive with 13 points off the bench. Latrell Sprewell flirted with a triple double, but most of his work was done on the defensive end in the 4th quarter when he had to pick up Marbury. His 10 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists were a vital driving force for the Knicks."

[RMJH4]

Game 3 Celtics @ Knicks

Game 3: Boston Celtics 106 - 88 New York Knicks

October 26th, 2000 | by ESPN.COM

Celtics Starters
K. Anderson
P. Pierce
E. Williams
A. Walker
V. Potapenko

Knicks Starters
C. Ward
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
M. Camby
P. Ewing


Game Leaders
Pts - 29 - P. Pierce (Celtics)
Rebs - 10 - P. Ewing (Knicks)
Asts - 8 - P. Pierce (Celtics)
Stls - 8 - P. Pierce (Celtics)
Blks - 3 - M. Blount (Celtics)

Player of the Game
P. Pierce (Celtics)
29pts, 8 rebs, 8 asts, 8 stls

Game Recap by David Aldridge.

"The Celtics rolled into MSG tonight and roasted the Knicks. The Knicks were 2-0 and this was the second night off a back to back. The Celtics are the younger of the two squads and they showed that tonight led by the oustanding Paul Pierce. Pierce was 'Jordanesque' tonight in filling up the boxscore to lead the Celts to victory. The Knicks were once again led by top scorer Allan Houston who hit 27 points. Only three other players hit double figures tonight, Johnson (12), Sprewell (11) and Rookie Redd (10). Camby, Thomas and Ewings only contribution to the game was their rebounding, accounting for 27 of the Knicks boards tonight. In a game in which the Knicks should have dominated down low, the three combined for 16 paltry points."

[RMJH4]

Game 4 Bulls @ Knicks

Game 4: Chicago Bulls 88 - 106 New York Knicks

October 28th, 2000 | by ESPN.COM

Bulls Starters
AJ. Guyton
R. Mercer
R. Artest
E. Brand
B. Miller

Knicks Starters
C. Ward
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
M. Camby
P. Ewing


Game Leaders
Pts - 21 - R. Artest (Bulls)
Rebs - 12 - M. Camby (Knicks)
Asts - 9 - AJ. Guyton (Bulls)
Stls - 3 - C. Childs (Knicks)
Blks - 3 - E. Brand (Bulls)

Player of the Game
L. Sprewell (Knicks)
19pts, 7 rebs, 4 asts, 3 stls

Game Recap by David Aldridge.

"Back to business in MSG tonight as the lowly Bulls rolled into town. Armed with new free agent signings Ron Mercer and Brad Miller the Bulls took the fight to the Knicks in the first half. Elton Brand was having his way down low until Kurt Thomas came in to play alongside Camby. Sprewell was a force on both ends as usual, and he was ably helped out as usual by Houston (18 Points) and Larry Johnson (15 Points). Chris Childs who has been a forgotten man recently reminded Van Gundy that he can play, scoring 13 points off the bench. The Knicks bench was tremendous tonight as all 11 players scored at least 5 points each. The Bulls rookie Jamal Crawford did not play tonight, where as Michael Redd scored 10, and Eddie House had 9 for the Knicks."

[RMJH4]

Game 5: Knicks @ Magic

Game 5: New York Knicks 78 - 77 Orlando Magic.

October 30th, 2000 | by ESPN.COM

Knicks Starters
C. Ward
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
M. Camby
P. Ewing

Magic Starters
D. Armstrong
T. McGrady
G. Hill
B. Outlaw
J. Amaechi


Game Leaders
Pts - 25 - T. McGrady (Magic)
Rebs - 12 - G. Hill (Magic)
Asts - 6 - L. Sprewell (Knicks)
Stls - 3 - A. Houston (Knicks)
Blks - 3 - T. McGrady (Magic)

Player of the Game
L. Sprewell (Knicks)
16pts, 7 rebs, 6 asts

Game Recap by David Aldridge.

"The Knicks tonight came face to face with Grant Hill after he chose the Magic over them. Patrick Ewing and Jeff Van Gundy certainly had a point to prove as the eeked out a 1 point nailbiting victory over the Magic. Patrick Ewings late block on Tracy McGradys layup attempt with time expiring proved the big man can still do it when the game is on the line. Although Ewing has regressed a lot this season, his usual production of 9 points, 8 rebounds and 2 block per game was there. It proved to be more than enough and when led by Houston (17 Points) and Player of the Game Latrell Sprewell, the Knicks are still a match for anybody. This victory was a message to the upstart Magic, not on our watch."

[studbucket]

Re: Game 5: Knicks @ Magic

These are such early 2000s scores. Did you tweak the minutes/sliders to get scores like this?

[RMJH4]

Game 6 Knicks @ Celtics

Game 6: New York Knicks 96 - 94 Boston Celtics.

November 1st, 2000 | by ESPN.COM

Knicks Starters
C. Ward
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
M. Camby
P. Ewing

Celtics Starters
K. Anderson
B. Stith
P. Pierce
A. Walker
M. Blount


Game Leaders
Pts - 35 - P. Pierce (Celtics)
Rebs - 16 - A. Walker (Celtics)
Asts - 6 - P. Pierce (Celtics)
Stls - 3 - L. Sprewell (Knicks)
Blks - 3 - M. Blount (Celtics)

Player of the Game
L. Sprewell (Knicks)
28pts, 3 rebs, 3 asts, 3 stls.

Game Recap by David Aldridge.

"The Celtics changed up their lineup tonight to match the Knicks size down low, but the plan backfired. The Knicks went smaller and managed to tie up the season series 1-1. Latrell Sprewell was again the catalyst for the Knicks with a team high 28 points. Paul Pierce was even more 'En Fuego' with 35 points of his own. Antoine Walker also had a double double with 23 and 16 but it wasn't enough to topple the Knicks. Chris Childs (14), Houston (13) and Camby (12) all followed Spree's lead and shared the scoring load all night. Once again all 11 players that played for the Knicks scored, and that depth was the difference in the end."

[RMJH4]

Game 7: Kings @ Knicks

Game 7: Sacramento Kings 113 - 108 New York Knicks.

November 3rd, 2000 | by ESPN.COM

Kings Starters
J. Williams
D. Christie
P. Stojakovic
C. Webber
V. Divac

Knicks Starters
C. Ward
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
M. Camby
P. Ewing


Game Leaders
Pts - 34 - C. Webber (Kings)
Rebs - 13 - V. Divac (Kings)
Asts - 8 - D. Christie (Kings)
Stls - 3 - C. Webber (Kings)
Blks - 3 - P. Ewing (Knicks)

Player of the Game
C. Webber (Kings)
34 pts, 12 rebs, 7 asts, 3 stls, 1 blk.

Game Recap by David Aldridge.

"The high tempo Sacramento Kings proved too much to handle tonight for the Knicks. Chris Webber who is a free agent this summer, showed the Knicks exactly why they should be chasing him, He was dominant on both ends of the court. Peja Stojakovic (17pts and 10 rebs), Rookie Hedo Turkoglu (17pts), Doug Christie(14 pts , 6 rebs and 8 asts) and Vlade Divac (13pts and 13 rebs) were an incredible supporting cast for C-Webb tonight. The Knicks fought hard for 4 quarters and Larry Johnson's 23 pt and 13 reb double-double was a large part of that. He tried to drag Webber away from the basket as much as possible allowing Ewing to score 15 points to aid his 8 rebounds and 3 blocks tonight. Latrell Sprewell (9pts) and Allan Houston (14pts) were almost MIA tonight, but Chris Childs continued his resurgence of late with 12 points of his own."