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Show Page B4 THE DAILY HERALD, Provo, Utah, Friday, January 22, 1999 5, Deals galore mark frenetic opening after demise of league lockout t NEW YORK (AP) Everyone was calling it the busiest day in NBA history, and yet it still could have been busier. ; The official opening of process each of the deals, and a few complications arose to slow the process down. There were no apparent with a chaotic, routine. We had guys with physicals, getting contracts signed. We have to move guys in and out of practice." And it doesn't look like the chaos will end anytime soon. Teams will have only a few days to practice before beginning exhibition games, and the regular season will begin Feb. 5. Each team will play 50 games in 90 nights. For some of the players, the small amount of preparation time will make it difficult to get back into game shape quickly. Shawn Kemp of the Cleveland Cavaliers had been carrying around at least 20 league business Thursday had s the something missing of many of the biggest free agents. Scottie Pippen's deal didn't immediately go through, something strange was holding up the Antonio McDyess signing, ;and the other dominoes couldn't fall until those two did. The job of processing each ; ;and every new contract and ;trade was a slow one on the ,first full day since s ;June 30, and the expected sign-ing- '. non-locko- sign-Jng- of McDyess, Vlade Divac, Slerry Stackhouse, Hot Rod Williams, Christian Laettner and Joe Smith were delayed ,"t r one reason or another. Chicago general manager 'Jerry Krause said the new player contracts were so different from past ones that there was a backlog in the league office. Several deals went through, including Latrell Sprewell being traded from Golden State to New York, and most of the teams opened training camps, v "It was so unorganized, it was incredible," Miami coach Pat Riley said. "You have to deal extra pounds during the hitches in clearing the first deal, a trade sending Sprewell to the New York Knicks for John Starks, Chris Mills and Terry Cummings. Sprewell brings a tarnished reputation to a team anxious over the public relations risk. He was suspended for 68 games last season and had his contract terminated after he choked and threatened to kill coach P.J. Carlesimo at a Warriors practice. Just three years ago, when the Knicks traded Anthony Mason to Charlotte, team president Checketts made an issue of saying the team would only bring in solid citizens. Sprewell hasn't exactly fit lock- out. "Thie is my 10th season. My condition is not too bad," Kemp said before going through practice with the Cavs. "I think Shawn Kemp gave every ounce he could out there today," Cleveland coach Mike Fratello said. "He understands we all have some work to do. He worked hard. I don't know how much more he could have done." Teams were finally allowed to start signing contracts and finalizing transactions at noon MST. The league had a full staff of attorneys on hand to that description. has happened in my thinking over past 48 hours or so," Checketts said. "For me to make the statement I made about not wanting certain "A lot players on our team, I guess I would have to say it's pretty judgmental and and I regret having said those things because it's not fair for me to judge people." The Knicks reiterated that they were not interested in Mf.it' iJt signing free agent forward Dennis Rodman, who retired earlier this week and then changed his mind. He plans to elaborate on his plans tonight on the Tonight Show." Rodman's agent, Dwight Manley, was in Salt Lake City to announce that another of his clients, Karl Malone, would be staying with the Utah Jazz for the rest of his career. McDyess' return to Denver hit a roadblock when he and the Nuggets could not reach a (J ML f1- - contract agreement that appeared to be a done deal only 24 hours earlier. McDyess, traded from Denver to Phoenix 15 months ago, flew to Denver on Thursday and was in the halls of McNichols Arena for a scheduled 3 p.m. news conference. His introduction was put off until 5:30 and ultimately postponed indefinitely. "We aren't ready to do anything yet," Nuggets general manager Dan Issel said. When asked when a deal might be reached, Issel said, "I have no idea." Issel, McDyess and his agents were holed up Thursday night in the Nuggets' locker room, apparently trying to resolve their differences. Wmm ? 1 V 1,. ,VwN&"& "f fi-h-f.,- I iiii--J i I MALONE 1 part-tim- e radio gig in Los Angeles where he routinely blasted Miller, said he had made a complete "360" as a businessman and made eso- teric comparisons between himself and Kung Fu. Relations between the two were further strained due to the inability to meet and iron out their differences thing which Miller said they've always been able to do in past situa tions. That all changed Wednesday night, one-on-on- e when Miller, Malone and Manley met for 12 hours at the Jazz star's 4 home. "It seemed, 1 : i i S without talking to him (during the lockout), that a new Karl had emerged," said a teary-eyeMiller. "But the Karl that I've known and loved is still alive and well. d y . MARC LESTERThe Rave your people get session at the team's NOTES Continued from Bl . " never thought said guard Jeff Hornacek. "If he'd have left, you might see a different look i; "I Daily Herald touch with my people: Utah's Greg Ostertag juggles his busy schedule and a basketball during Thursday's media Franklin Covey practice facility. In other-Wise,- on my face." "I expected to see him here," said Stockton to media members. "That's all you guys (who were worried)." . In addition to all the comings and goings around the league, the NBA also released the shortened season's schedule Thursday afternoon. The Jazz open the grind sort with a Finals rematch of against the Chicago Bulls and new coach Tim "Pink" Floyd on Feb. 5 atlthe Delta e Center. The Bulls, however, appear be a team in disarray, with jo ; fans.'Thurl "Big T Bailey, who spent eight productive years with the Jazz from 1983 to 1991, is back in camp after playing the past couple of seasons overseas. The Bailey believes he has a lot to offer the Jazz. "When I was here before, I played a lot of small forward. I feel I have an advantage over a lot of small forwards with my inside game and jump shot. But it's more a question of what (the Jazz) need." Malone gave Bailey a vote only four players from a season ago under contract entering the season. Gone will be Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Luc Longley, Steve Kerr and, most likely, Dennis Rodman, among others. Not to mention coach Phil Jackson. Should the Jazz make it back to the Finals for a third straight year, with or without Chicago, don't expect them to view their efforts in the shortened season as many pundits as tainted are already proclaiming. "Hopefully we can get back to where we were," said Bryon Russell. "The short season doesn't mean anything. A championship is a championship." 1 of confidence. 'You've seen our team," Malone said when asked if his former front-coumate could fill a needed niche with the Jazz. "Thurl Bailey can still play." rt FAMILIAR FACE: One of those players hoping to gobble up one of Utah's two roster openings is no stranger to Jazz JUST MAKE IT: Jazz followers from a season ago can quickly tell you the main ques PQICJ oo ELIEF OFF tion mark about reserve point guard Jacque Vaughn's game. His outside shot. That still may need a little work. Vaughn was shooting jumpers on a side hoop at Utah's Franklin Covey practice center Thursday, when teammate Russell was cornered by media members in the key near the free throw line. After a few tentative shots, Vaughn yelled to Russell, "Hey, 'B,' tell 'em to watch their nuggets. Tell 'em to move." "Just hit (the shots)," quipped Russell. Sure enough, one of Vaughn's ensuing shots bounded right into the interview cir- "I came away feeling from my standpoint that the relationship was as firmly intact as ever and in a strange way it's even stronger now because of what it's weathered." Malone, an extremely sensitive individual himself, also shed a few tears during Thursday's lovefest. "I apologize for a lot of the things that were said this summer," Malone said. "You say things sometimes that you wish were never said. It takes a big man to say that." The two also put to rest misguided reports that they had signed off on a four-yea- r I he Daily Herald $16.5 million over four years something which would be illegal under the old and new collective bargaining agreement. For one thing, a player can only receive a limited percentage raise over his previous year's contract when agreeing to an extension. For another, Malone would not be able to sign a contract for the new maximum salary for veterans (which starts at $14 million but includes raises of about 12 percent in each sub- sequent year) until he became which will not1? a free agent 10-ye- f' occur until Julv 1. Much more likely,"-however, is " Miller's per- - fi sonal assurance that such a deal will be forth coming when league rules allow. 'As soon as the agree ment allows us to talk about an extension, at first opportunity, we'll do it," Miller said. "I'd like to have an agreement right now, but that's not possible." For now. Jazz fans will settle for knowing the Mailman is once again patrolling his longtime route and happy about it. Welcome back, Karl. BYU. Women's Tennis mm mm :0D SELECTION! ill SIZES Vooden 4x4 8' Long i f?l. plastic dress Vaughn then came over and grabbed Russell, pulling him out of harm's way. Scuth Str': - Nobody objected. peats Out Price and quality Adds resale value to new and used i. Permanently protects against rusBI ano v Wnn't warn. nal. or crack Dampens sound, vibration and road noted I contract extension averaging cle. I Sprayewn Truck Dedunirs J , KKMN l.EK Continued from B K f ' Slight delay: Scottie Pippen's trade to the Houston Rockets hit a snag on Thursday, but is expected to be finalized today. j & WW'" - in- .r;Cxi r FREE ADMISSION! ii JL Saturday, January 23 Noon BYU vs. Wisconsin Indoor Tennis Courts Ho One ORTHOPEDIC PAIN CLINIC 755 EAST 800 NORTH, 0REM mo remarkably raliarad my chronic disabling pain, "...prolotherpy I began to um it on torn of my patiante." C. Kvaret Kaop, M.D., former United State Surgeon General TrtatavntBoard Cgtifitd Phyiidaw Custom Linings of Utah North 1200 West Orem 229-270- 0 40 TS Non-Surgt- ft a 1 1 HI ii I L 1 I IT V I kit iku nn htw vxjxu.xv xu1, i ' t I II www. n era asxiro.com i |
