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Saturday, February 25, 2006
Sayson: No sizzlers in NBA trade deadline
By Homer Sayson
Secondovertime
CHICAGO — The NBA’s annual trading deadline is usually hectic and headline-grabbing, a frenzy of activity that marks the migration of star players to new addresses, destinations where championship promises, follow them.
But when this season’s deadline to swap fresh meat lapsed yesterday, there were no oohs and aaahs to report, no blockbuster deals to dissect. The whole trade buzz was so quiet that the needle in the NBA’s excitement meter did not budge.
In recent weeks, rumors have been whispered about Kevin Garnett and Allen Iverson allegedly being dangled for trade baits supposedly for the right pieces. In the end, however, neither of the established superstars moved.
KG is stuck in Minnesota, a Timberwolf destined to miss the playoffs for the second straight year. Allen Iverson, another ex-MVP, is moored in Philadelphia, a Sixer in a 26-27 team whose current 8th playoffs berth is threatened by the surging Chicago Bulls (24-29).
Even without stars involved, business went on as usual around the league. The most noteworthy trade involved former Nugget Earl Watson, who left Denver for Seattle in a four-team, nine-player deal.
The Cleveland Cavaliers got Flip Murray from Seattle for Mike Wilkes and $500,000 cash. The Cavs also got under-achieving Lee Nailon, who was let go by Sixers. The Nets, meanwhile, acquired Bostjan Nachbar from the Hornets for Linton Johnson and Marc Jackson.
Among the NBA’s elite, only the Miami Heat made a move by acquiring Derek Anderson from the Rockets. If this trade happened at least four years ago, many eyebrows would have curled, but now at 31 and oft-injured, Anderson has morphed into more of a role player.
Although Garnett and Iverson and the other superstars weren’t shipped, it doesn’t mean that they’re permanently nailed in their current zip codes. They could still be moved during the off-season beginning in July.
An official NBA TV station, Ted N. Turner Network (TNT), reported last night that Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss called Timberwolves owner Glenn Taylor asking about Garnett.
Wow, what a startling thought, indeed. For now, though, that’s all conjecture. And the reality is that yesterday’s much-anticipated trading deadline was uncharacteristically quiet and deathly boring.
JINGO’S TAKE. Shane Mosley and Fernando Vargas will square off in a 154-pound showdown tomorrow at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. And like he often does in these big fights, lawyer Jingo Quijano, this column’s resident boxing guru offers his insights.
“This will be a war and Vargas’ strength will wear down Mosley.
“Sugar Shane’s downfall has been fighting men much bigger than him. He was an undefeated lightweight champion who leapt to welterweight and lost twice to a taller and rangier Vernon Forrest. Mosley also moved up to super welterweight and also lost twice to a natural 154-pounder in Winky Wright.
“Vargas on the other hand is a true super welterweight with knockout power and decent boxing skills. We should also remember that Fernando won, albeit controversially against Wright, whom Mosley couldn’t even come close to beat. So make mine the Ferocious One!”
Although Jingo’s arguments have a punch of persuasion in them, I disagree with him. And here’s why.
Vargas last fought in August 20, 2005 here in Chicago against Javier Castillejo. According to the grapevine, Vargas had to scale down from over 220 pounds to make weight, which explains why Vargas plodded for 10 rounds looking like a guy who moonlights as a department store Santa Claus.
I don’t know how Vargas got to over 200 pounds in the first place, but the reckless breach of discipline reflects a lack of hunger and desire on his part.
Six years ago, before Felix Trinidad TKO’d him in Dec. 2000 and before Oscar Dela Hoya abused him for 11 rounds in Sept. 2002, Vargas was a danger to others atop the ring. He was a vicious 22-year old kid with a killer left hook.
But now, hobbled by numbing back pains at age 28, Vargas (26-2, 22 KOs) is a shadow of his old self.
Mosley is a little older now, and like Vargas, Sugar Shane is scarred in ways that are both hurtful and devastating. But all told, his fast hands and quick feet will carry the day.
Mosley is 34, which makes some insist that Vargas has the edge, being the younger lion at 28. I don’t think so. Shane Mosley (41-4, 34 KOs) is just six years wiser than Vargas. And in a fight between two pugs in the crossroads of their careers, that experience counts a lot.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 25, 2006 issue)
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