The official 2003 NBA free agents thread

[Guest razazteca]

That is funny, RC Buford thinking that he was DX HBK.

 

Best front office in the West.

[Rendclaw 0]

That's funny... what makes it even better is Kupchak crying to Stern like a little Mee-yatch.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

* Earl Boykins is close to signing with the Nuggets.

 

* Elden Campbell signed with the Pistons.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

That story sounds made up.

 

Mark Madsen signs with the Wolves.

[Rendclaw 0]

No more dancing for Marky-Mark 2k3.

[Guest kingkamala]

Mark Madsen signs with the Wolves.

Well there goes the Lakers dynasty

[Guest Snappy Nappy Dugout]

For All you KVH fans, here's the KVH Interview from the Knicks site.

 

Keith Van Horn, who was acquired by the New York Knicks from the Philadelphia 76ers on July 23 as part of a four-team trade that sent Latrell Sprewell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, was interviewed by the New York media via conference call on July 24, 2003.

 

 

On his reaction to the trade and winding up in New York:

“I wasn’t surprised after hearing about it [the trade] for the past four or five months. I was very excited to join the Knicks organization. I think it’s a good opportunity for myself, and this organization. I think it’s gonna be a real good fit. After the past few months, it’s a nice release to finally be here and be in a Knicks uniform.”

 

On if criticism from teammates and coaches for not being aggressive enough has hurt his confidence:

“No, I don’t think it necessarily hurt my confidence level. I understand when you’re in this business that comes with the territory. For me personally, I go out there, I try to play the best that I can and I try to give 110% every night. I show up everyday to practice early, work hard, and that’s all I focus on. I’m not necessarily focusing on what other people are saying.”

 

On his feelings about replacing Latrell Sprewell, one of the most popular players in Knicks history:

“I don’t necessarily look at it like I’m replacing Latrell Sprewell, just as Latrell didn’t necessarily think of himself as replacing John Starks when Starks was here a few years back. I’m my own player and I think I’m gonna bring a lot of different things to the team, just as Latrell will bring different aspects to the team he goes to. I’m just gonna go out there and be myself and be the versatile player that I am, and try to help this team win. That’s my number one objective.”

 

On if he understands why the Knicks made the deal to get him when looking at the roster:

“Well I think that a lot of teams look for guys that can be versatile. The Knicks do have a lot of big guys that are very good at what they do. I think that I’m different from most of the players that they have. I think I can play both forward positions effectively on both ends of the court. I really feel that I can bring something to this team that it doesn’t have. Otherwise they wouldn’t have made the trade.”

 

On if he spent anytime last year playing small forward and how he sees himself fitting in at the position in New York:

“Well, last year I spent most of my time almost exclusively at the small forward position. Kenny Thomas played the power forward spot, I played the small forward. But I think as the years have gone on, I feel very comfortable at both positions. I’ve spent enough time at each position to feel effective. I pose a lot of match up problems for smaller threes, and I pose some match up problems for bigger fours. I’m able to take them on the perimeter, or off the dribble, and post up some smaller threes. I think over the years I’ve had the opportunity to play both positions and I feel comfortable at either.”

 

On if he’s ever felt as comfortable as he had his first couple of years in the league:

“No I haven’t. I really felt that Coach [John] Calipari knew how to use me -- almost in a similar way to how Coach [Rick] Majerus used me in college. Speaking with Coach Chaney and Mr. Layden, they have some plans on how they want to use me and how I can be effective. A lot of a player’s effectiveness is up to the position the coach puts them in. I felt extremely comfortable the first two years and I felt Coach Calipari always put me in a position to be successful and where I did things best. I just think the coaching staff here has a good feel as to what I can do and the positions that I’m going to be successful in.”

 

On if he’s kept his house in New Jersey:

“No, I’m kicking myself now. I wish that I had kept it. I sold it in December and now I’m wishing it didn’t sell as quickly. It would have been an easy commute both to the facility and the Garden. I’m gonna have to do a little house hunting and get moved again.”

 

On if it will be weird to be playing in the same market again:

“Not really, because to tell you the truth, the thing that bugged me the most when I played in New Jersey was that people were always calling us the New York Nets, and those were the people that lived in New Jersey. So I kind of got sick of that. It’s nice to be on the right side again.”

 

On the pressure of playing in the Garden in front of New York fans:

“Well I’m really looking forward to it. I love playing in environments where people care about the game, where they’re interested in the game. I’ve been fortunate enough to play in big media markets throughout my career and I think that’s really helped me with the criticism that comes along with playing in the major market. I think that all of us have a goal of putting a ring on our finger and winning a championship and I don’t think any player, including myself, is ever truly satisfied until they win a championship. With that comes the fact that I’m my biggest critic and that’s what I worry about most. That’s what’s most important. When it comes to playing in the Garden and playing in front of the fans, I think I’m gonna love it. Playing in an environment where they love basketball, playing in a city where they love their sports and their basketball, it’s something that I always enjoyed. It’s similar to a college environment, where the city almost seems to rally around the team. That’s the environment you get in New York. They rally around their sports teams, and they love to see them win. I want to see the Knicks win, and I want to win. I think it’s gonna work out very well.”

 

On how he responds to criticisms about his defense:

“I feel that I can be successful at either forward position. I really feel confident in my ability to use my length, and use my strength because I feel that I’m a lot stronger than a lot of threes. I feel I have a quickness advantage with some fours. I feel it’s a plus for the Knicks, the fact that I have versatility that they can expose through different match-ups.”

 

On if he thought he was going to spend his entire career with one team ala Tim Duncan:

“Not really. The nature of this business is that you very rarely have a guy that stays with one team his whole career. You even look at a situation like with Karl Malone, where’s been with the Jazz for 18 years and now he’s moving. Obviously, I’m not the kind of guy who likes to move around a lot. I don’t like to grab my kids and bring them to another school. So I’d like to make a home in New York and I’d like to make this a good long-term relationship.”

 

On if he sees the Knicks as a playoff team after the trade:

“I haven’t looked real close at the roster. After winning 37 games last year, they want to improve. One of my goals is to get into the playoffs. How far we go will be determined by how hard we work, the personnel that we have and what were willing to sacrifice. I think that I’ll have a better feel for how good this team can be once we get into training camp and get into the season.”

 

On if it was difficult to fit into situations playing with guys who demanded a lot of shots in the past (Marbury and Iverson):

“Well, my full approach going to Philadelphia was that they had been to the finals two years before and they had a formula for success. I just tried to blend into that formula. I really tried to make the best of it, and I thought that under the circumstances I did a good job. I felt we could have been even better this year. But obviously they [sixers] decided to go separate ways and you know now, looking at this Knicks team, we have a group of guys who really understand how to play team basketball and who play well together. Some of the guys have been together for a long period of time, which is something you don’t get a lot of in this league as you can tell by the trade. Teams don’t stay together very long. I think that once we get a feel for each other, I think that we have a group of guys here who can play off each other and that really understand the game and that are knowledgeable.”

 

On his performance in the 2003 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against Detroit:

“Well, I think a lot of it had to do with shot attempts and I put some of that on my shoulders. As I said earlier in the conference call, I’m my own biggest critic and I want myself to be successful more than anybody, and I probably put more weight on my shoulders than anybody else. So I look at that performance and I think in my mind it fuels me and makes me work harder. That makes me want to play consistently in the playoffs and have some of the games like I had with the Nets, like against Boston and Indiana, like I had a couple of years ago when we went to the finals. That’s the goal in mind and I’m going to strive for more consistency in the playoffs.”

 

On his emotions watching his former team, the New Jersey Nets, participate in the finals without him:

“I watched the last three games. They had a strong team [New Jersey] and I felt they made some good additions with Rodney Rogers. I thought they had a good chance. Was I happy to see San Antonio win? Of course.”

 

On what he felt of the Nets off-season moves this year:

“I think that obviously it was key to re-sign Jason [Kidd]. That was a smart move on their part.”

[Guest Flyboy]

 

Mark Madsen signs with the Wolves.

Well there goes the Lakers dynasty

*dies laughing*

 

That was gold, bro.

[Guest Snappy Nappy Dugout]

Well COT DAMN~!!!!

 

The Lakers are turning into the Raiders.

 

Welcome back, Horace!

 

Horace Grant is returning to Los Angeles. A starting forward on the Lakers' NBA championship team of 2001, Grant signed a free agent contract with the team July 28. Terms were not announced. Grant, who turned 38 earlier this month, hasn't played since being released by the Magic last Dec. 11. The 16-year veteran has played in 1,110 games and appeared in 77 games with the Lakers in 2000-01, averaging 8.5 points and 7.1 rebounds. He has career averages of 11.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists

[Guest razazteca]

Horace Grant signs with the Lakers, taking Mark Madsen's spot as guy who gets to pass the ball back Kobe or Shaq in the Zen Triangle.

[Guest Mindless_Aggression]

God bless Madsen somehow always ending up at the end of an incredibly talented team. Seriously, how does he keep a job? Is he just an incredibly nice guy? Does the NBA have a policy where every team must have an energetic but worthless white guy at the end of the bench?

 

oH yeah, Darrel Armstrong looks like he may be a Hornet. Thats...interesting. I guess.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Madsen is better than Grant at this point of his career.

[Guest kingkamala]

God bless Madsen somehow always ending up at the end of an incredibly talented team. Seriously, how does he keep a job? Is he just an incredibly nice guy? Does the NBA have a policy where every team must have an energetic but worthless white guy at the end of the bench?

 

.

Mark Madsen is a decent hustle player, but even being the best hustle player in the world doesn't mean jack shit. But I guess teams want hustle players.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

He hustles like crazy. He’s like an Eduardo Najara but without any talent or skill.

 

* The Wolves also signed excellent shooter Fred Hoiberg. That team looks good.

[Guest starvenger]

God bless Madsen somehow always ending up at the end of an incredibly talented team. Seriously, how does he keep a job? Is he just an incredibly nice guy? Does the NBA have a policy where every team must have an energetic but worthless white guy at the end of the bench?

I'm pretty sure that there's a quota for 'white guys on the bench' for every NBA team, and the Lakers filled that by drafting Luke Walton...

[Guest Ripper]

God bless Madsen somehow always ending up at the end of an incredibly talented team. Seriously, how does he keep a job? Is he just an incredibly nice guy? Does the NBA have a policy where every team must have an energetic but worthless white guy at the end of the bench?

I'm pretty sure that there's a quota for 'white guys on the bench' for every NBA team, and the Lakers filled that by drafting Luke Walton...

Except that Luke is the best SF on the team and had BETTER get playing time. Shit...he might start.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

After all the money they blew on that stiff Devean George, I think he will get the nod…at least at the star of the season.

[Rendclaw 0]

I'm curious as to how Bill is going to rip on his son when the Lakers are in a game and losing by 15 and its garbage time.

[Guest Human Fly]

I'm curious as to how Bill is going to rip on his son when the Lakers are in a game and losing by 15 and its garbage time.

"Terrrrrible shot selection by Luke Walton. What is he thinking? I know for a fact that his father taught him better."

[Guest ErekT2k]

LMAO ^^

 

That was classic, Fly.

[Rendclaw 0]

And I can see it happening, especially if Luke is shooting a wide open, spot-up three and hits nothing but iron....

 

Lay off the hippie lettuce, Bill.

[Guest Mindless_Aggression]

I await the day when Luke airballs a jumper and Bill comments "Well Mark Madsen woulda THROWN IT DOWN BIG MAN, Luke Walton, the black hole of basketball, no heart, no spirit, wheres the fire Luke? Where is your fire?"

 

I enjoy it when Bill just goes fuckin nuts with these nonsensical rants about fire, passion and throwing it down. If you're not paying full attention, it sounds like he's describing porn what with all the throwing it down and fires and passion and what not.

 

I crave for him and Gary Busey to call a game together.

[Guest DawnBTVS]

Celtics get Jumaine Jones from the Cavs for C Bruno Sundov, G J.R. Bremer & a 2nd Round Conditional Draft Pick

[Guest alfdogg]

The Clips have matched Utah's offer sheet for Magette.

 

We could now be looking at single-digit wins for Utah.

[Guest Ripper]

The Hawks let out a little giggle when Utah offered Jason Terry a offer sheet know they will match it.

 

 

And remember, Rick Fox is out until the Allstar game at least. That only leaves Deaven George and Luke Walton as the teams SF, and lets face it, Luke is the better passer and smarter player of the two and would stick to the Triangle. Phil will love him. If he doesn't start, he will still get the majority of the time at that spot.

[Guest starvenger]

God bless Madsen somehow always ending up at the end of an incredibly talented team. Seriously, how does he keep a job? Is he just an incredibly nice guy? Does the NBA have a policy where every team must have an energetic but worthless white guy at the end of the bench?

I'm pretty sure that there's a quota for 'white guys on the bench' for every NBA team, and the Lakers filled that by drafting Luke Walton...

Except that Luke is the best SF on the team and had BETTER get playing time. Shit...he might start.

I don't think that he'll start, but yeah, he'll definitely make a contribution - which is why I didn't note that he was 'energetic but worthless'. Now whether he can DANCE like Madsen is yet to be determined...

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

Thank you Donald Sterling for coming through twice this summer. Let's go for the trifecta and lock up Lamar Odom and his pot-smoking ass. The Clips will actually have some stability and direction for a change. I just hope, Riley doesn't go crazy and give Odom an absurd offer sheet.

[Guest kingkamala]

Utah Jazz will be the worst team in the league this year....not the western conference....the entire league. If your team's built around Matt Harpring, you're just not gonna cut it.

[Gert T 0]

I was just about to comment on the Jason Terry thing, but I saw you all got to it. Now I'll stay a Jazz fan since Stockton & Malone are gone. But after Maggette & Andre Miller signed elsewhere/offer matched, I thought the Jazz should just take their twenty million and add Osterfag's 8 million after this year and try again. Its not like you have to sign a fourth or fifth tier option to a high contract just to get someone.

 

See you in 2004-05, Emeka, Pavel, or Hakim

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

I think they have to reach a minimum salary level or else fines will be levied.