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Friday, October 10, 2003
Sayson: Deke’s stopovers
By Homer Sayson
Second Overtime
CHICAGO–The New Jersey Nets have evidently solved their woes at center. Jason Collins has matured and can be relied upon to anchor the defense. Aaron Williams, just 6-foot-9 and a little scrawny, played significant minutes at pivot during the 2003 playoffs and more than held his own. The arrival of Alonzo Mourning this summer was icing on the cake.
New Jersey’s shored up middle leaves an odd man out – Dikembe Mutombo. So the logical thing to do was release Deke rather than pay him $37.5 million for two years without being an integral part of the rotation. The problem was, Deke’s contract was guaranteed, meaning the Nets couldn’t just tear it up and tell him: Hasta la vista, baby!
With super agent David Falk brokering a deal in behalf of his client, Mutombo’s contract was bought out two days ago. The buy-out was estimated to be $30 million, said an Eastern conference official who requested anonymity.
Nets president Rod Thorn said “this is basically a salary-cap decision on our part,” a move that would allow New Jersey to save $7.5 million in the next two years. The buy-out, on the other hand, gives Mutombo the opportunity to explore his other options, instead of seeing his career die of a slow death in the bottom of the New Jersey bench.
So, is everybody happy? Not exactly. Mutombo is, but definitely not New Jersey.
Although the franchise will eventually “save” $7.5 million, giving $30 million to Mutombo is a loss
no matter what. It’s like paying for a car you don’t wanna drive anymore. But it’s hard to feel sorry for the Nets. They knew Mutombo had a four-year, $68 million deal when they dealt for him from Philadelphia.
I’m not saying the Nets erred in acquiring Mutombo, I’m just saying that the NBA is like a cockfighting derby, a huge gamble where you invest on potential that doesn’t always pay dividends. The Nets paid Deke $16,105,264 last year hoping that this thoroughbred would bring them a title. Instead, Mutombo languished in the bench, playing a scant 24 games after breaking ligaments in his right wrist.
Deke returned in the playoffs and suited up for ten games, but all he could do was average 1.8
points and 2.7 rebounds. He showed flashes of brilliance, had a highlight reel or two during the NBA Finals, but those shining moments couldn’t overshadow the fact that the ex-Sixer was 37-years-old and seems to be going on 50.
He was brought in to be a presence in the middle, to validate himself as a four-time NBA best defensive player of the year awardee. Mutombo couldn’t do either. Tim Duncan killed him in the perimeter with soft bankers and nifty up-and-unders, while the young Spurs made Deke look like he was stuck in a quicksand.
Maybe Deke was off his timing. Maybe he needed a full season to get into gear. Maybe. Unfortunately, the Nets had no time to wait. Like a smart gambler who never chases good money after bad, the Nets decided to cut their losses. Memo to Kenyon Martin: Unless you wanna get traded, don’t demand an extension anytime soon. The Nets are in no mood for spending.
The Nets are currently for sale. They’re losing money, the owners claim.
Why not, Mutombo just ransacked their books for a cool $46.1 million during a brief and uneventful stop.
Speaking of Mutombo, he is looking to play for another team where he could reestablish his name while trying to “recoup” his losses from the buyout. Just when is a $30 million buy-out considered a loss? Only in the NBA.
Anyway, the Knicks are leading the race to grab the 7-foot-2 giant, offering him the team’s veteran mid-level exception of $4.1 million. I’m tempted to analyze what the Knicks would become if Mutombo indeed plays in the Big Apple. But that’s another column.
MARBURY INKS RENEWAL. With still two years left on his six-year $70.9 million contract,
Stephon Marbury signed a four-year extension with the Phoenix Suns this week. The deal is worth between $76 to $80 million according to ESPN.com.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Marbury joined the NBA as the No.4 pick in the draft. He was originally picked by Milwaukee but was traded for Ray Allen on draft day. Following a tempestuous relationship with Kevin Garnett, the Wolves shipped him to the Nets on March 3, 1999. On July 28, 2001, in a blockbuster trade involving Jason Kidd, Marbury landed in Phoenix.
Coming off surgery on both ankles, Marbury normed 20.5 points, 8.2 assists and 3 rebounds in 81 games last season. The Suns felt that he deserved to be the franchise player for years to come, leading a young frontline that includes Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudamire.
(Questions are welcome at homesay@hotmail.com)
(October 10, 2003 issue)
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