[HoustonChronicle] Rockets pick up Weathers …
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/2328730
Dec. 31, 2003, 1:01AM
Rockets pick up Weatherspoon
Norris, Amaechi traded to Knicks
By JONATHAN FEIGEN and MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle
Clarence Weatherspoon, five teams and 12 seasons into his career,
needed a role to play. He needed a team looking for a physical power
forward, particularly one who could rebound and knock down just
enough open shots.
The Rockets, 30 games into the season, needed help up front, and with
Monday's disheartening loss were not shy about saying so. A day later,
the Rockets plucked Weatherspoon off the end of the New York Knicks
bench and planned to quickly plug him in to their rotation.
The Rockets sent backup point guard Moochie Norris, whose role has
been steadily reduced during the past two seasons, and reserve center
John Amaechi to New York and obtained Weatherspoon to help fill the
void created when Eddie Griffin was waived.
"I was definitely happy," said Weatherspoon, 33. "I'm glad to be
moving on. I want to thank the Rockets.
"I think it gives me an opportunity to change my situation, come back
to a person that I know. Coach (Jeff) Van Gundy was here (in New York)
when I came here. I know what he wants. I think I fit into his system.
I'm familiar with the defense he puts in, the system he runs. That give
me an opportunity to earn some playing time."
Mike Wilks is ready to become the backup point guard, and the Rockets
need another rebounder. Also, Weatherspoon could cause problems for
opponents if teammates cannot leave him to double-team Yao Ming or
Steve Francis. Those factors made the deal come together quickly.
Norris, 30, a fan favorite, leaves after 306 games with the Rockets.
"It's always tough to give up somebody you know," general manager
Carroll Dawson said. "But it takes that to get something. You get
another dominant presence in the paint.
"And rebound-wise, (Weatherspoon is) also a guy who can move his feet
really well and is very physical and rebounds the ball well. Last year,
he (had) one rebound every 3.3 minutes."
Norris was such a key to the Rockets' plans that he was signed to
six-year, $22.7 million contract with the last season at the team's
option.
He had been featured in team marketing efforts along with Francis, Yao
and Cuttino Mobley. Until the second half of last season, he had often
been used to close games.
This season, Norris had played just 13.3 minutes per game, averaging
2.7 points and 1.6 assists. He was shooting just 31 percent.
"It's tough," Dawson said. "He's not only a fan favorite -- he's one of
my favorites, Martyn Norris. I've had a lot of fun with him. He's helped
us win quite a few games. Moochie is one of those very endearing people,
not only to the public but to people around here."
Weatherspoon had fallen out of the Knicks rotation, which was overloaded
with power forwards since Antonio McDyess' comeback from knee surgery.
The Knicks were negotiating a buyout of Weatherspoon's contract, but
preferred to add Norris.
Knicks president Isiah Thomas, making his first move since taking over
in New York nine days ago, said Amaechi would probably be released.
"Moochie is a player who can break the defense down," Thomas said. "He
can get in the lane, like Frank (Williams), he can run an offense, shoot
the long ball. He's a guy that has experience. He's played in this league
for a while, he's competed at a high level, he's been very durable as a
player."
Weatherspoon is averaging 3.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15 games this
year. In his 12 seasons with Philadelphia, Golden State, Miami, Cleveland
and New York, the 6-foot-7, 270-pounder averaged 12.1 points and 7.8
rebounds per game.
Weatherspoon's five-year, $27.23 million contract runs through the
2005-06 season.
He could be with the Rockets tonight at Toyota Center but won't be
permitted to play until Norris and Amaechi report to the Knicks. New
York plays Chicago on Friday at Madison Square Garden.
Weatherspoon "will be plugged in at the right spot," Dawson said.
"When you have a physical presence, there's a lot of times you're
needed. You can just go back and look at the times like last night
when we had trouble getting the rebound. I mean, this guy can do a
lot of that for you. Plus, he's only 6-7 but he has real long arms
and he has blocked shots in the past at a real high rate. We think
he'll just add a lot of things to the team."
Weatherspoon said that was his plan, now that he has another chance.
"I just want to come in and be a part of team, but being a rebounder
is one of the things I've been successful doing in the league,"
Weatherspoon said. "I'm looking for the opportunity to learn to play
with those guys, to ... earn playing time, with a great group of guys,
a coach I'm familiar with, a staff I'm familiar with. I want to come
in and be a help, an asset so this is a great opportunity for me."
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