[外電] These goodbyes not worth tears
These goodbyes not worth tears
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/16457272.htm
The Timberwolves have been playing well lately. Now things really are looking
up.
Eddie Griffin, who makes J.R. Rider look like a born-again Christian, has
given the Wolves every reason to dump him. His latest suspension, for
violating the NBA's anti-drug policy, provides the perfect excuse to rid the
organization of an embarrassing problem.
But wait, it gets better. Finally, Marko Jaric has stepped forward to help
the Timberwolves. He has asked to be traded.
Let's hope Glen Taylor takes him seriously. If so, it looks as if some of the
Wolves' dead weight might be cleared at last. Goodbye, Griffin; goodbye,
Jaric. What a great start to peace and harmony on and off the court.
Yes, Jaric has four more years — and an ungodly sum of money — remaining on
his contract. That Kevin McHale is a real sharpie. But that's the great thing
about the NBA. There always are teams looking to dump one high-priced problem
for another. It's worth a shot.
Coach Dwane Casey has been in a difficult position. How does he work
youngsters into the lineup at the expense of high-priced veterans and still
keep the peace? Troy Hudson, Griffin and Jaric all have expressed displeasure
at their reduced roles. Griffin and Hudson haven't even had roles. They've
been expensive bench ornaments.
"I've been in this, in college and the pros, since 1979 and always, always
somebody is not happy about playing time," Casey said before Saturday night's
game against the Nets.
Then his team beat New Jersey on the strength of a solid fourth quarter.
"Good ball movement," Casey beamed. "I loved the fact they were diving on the
floor."
The Nets made one run when their guards started playing pick and roll. You
seldom see two guards doing that in the NBA. Casey made the defensive
adjustment by "inverting the switches," and the Wolves were on their way.
Key performers down the stretch included youngsters Randy Foye and Bracey
Wright. When Rashad McCants comes back, other veterans will lose playing
time. Of course, the rotation isn't set in stone. A hard-working player could
bust his way back into the picture. Casey said there are two types of unhappy
campers: "Some guys do something about it. Some guys talk about it."
We've got a lot of talkers here.
"I don't think anyone has really played themselves out of their position,"
Casey noted.
Griffin might be the ultimate piece of work. That's saying a lot for a
franchise that has had its share of beauties over the years. Eddie hadn't
played in 14 consecutive games before his latest suspension. So the Wolves
might not yet realize that he's missing.
This fellow has embarrassed the Wolves organization, which is hard to do.
People still are making jokes about last summer's parking lot-porno escapade.
He'll get no sympathy on this end. If he does have any sort of problem, he
also has the best resources in the world to help him overcome it.
As a pro athlete, he can avail himself of the best treatment or counseling
that money can buy. All he has to do is want to do better. Most people have
to struggle through their troubles without such help. Chances are that Eddie
is going to meet a very bad end.
The Loop is going to miss him.
Jaric is another Kevin McHale Special. Which is to say he's been not just a
bust but an expensive bust. It soon became apparent that he was not the
answer at point guard. He has been complaining ever since he was demoted.
Surely he'll do better somewhere else.
I think McHale has billions of dollars tied up in dysfunctional point guards.
Getting rid of Jaric would constitute an uncharacteristic burst of good
judgment.
Meanwhile, Casey should get a contract extension. He has put up with an awful
lot of nonsense. He's rebuilding, yet he's not rebuilding. We can't call it
that because Kevin Garnett would become discouraged.
Now we have unlikely circumstances that seem to have floated down from
heaven. One wacko deserves to disappear. One unhappy camper is asking to
disappear.
What luck!
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