Excuse me, while I Ramble

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

September 2000

The down time of basketball is about to end. NBA training camps start next week; preseason games start after that; and the regular season tips off on Halloween. I'm glad hoops is about to kick into gear because I don't know what to write about. Consequently, I'll be straightforward and admit I'm going to ramble and touch on a few topics.

Indiana University fired Coach Bobby Knight early this month. I'm happy for Coach Knight because he won't have to worry about being baited all season by students from Indiana or other schools and risk breaking the "zero tolerance policy" mandated by Indiana University President Myles Brandand the Board of Trustees. In all honesty, could anyone work under a zero tolerance policy? If the policy were enforced to the exact detail, most, if not all of us, would be subject to reprimand as well.

I defended Coach Knight in the past; but, I must admit I have become disappointed in his refusal to take more blame for his temper and his actions. He seems to blame everyone but himself for his problems. I don't like people who "pass the buck" and don't accept responsibility for their own actions.

Minnesota Timberwolves' Owner Glen Taylor hasn't passed the buck which is admirable; but, he better prepare for the wrath of NBA Commissioner David Stern to drop down on him and the T-wolves' organization for "the most serious salary-cap offense that can be committed by teams, players or agents, and subjects the guilty parties to substantial penalties under the collective bargaining agreement, in addition to other potential liabilities."

Taylor admitted to signing a document promising forward Joe Smith a huge bump in salary if Smith signed three one - year contracts. Once those contracts expired Smith would receive a 7 year contract worth up to $86M. Taylor believes he did nothing wrong, stating "What I was trying to do was keep a player on the same team, in a small market, over a period of time and play him a competitive wage," Taylor said. "I thought that was what the spirit of the collective bargaining agreement."

Needless to say, the NBA disputes Taylor's claim. The league believes the Wolves improperly kept Smith out of the free-agent market and retained a player that, technically, they could not afford. As a result of eschewing the NBA's time honored tradition of "wink - wink" deals, Minnesota's punishment is expected to be very severe: fined at least $3.5M; lose Joe Smith; lose at least two first round draft picks; as well as the suspensions of T-wolves' front office personnel. All this for Joe Smith? Come on, Glen; if you're going to break the rules, at least do it for Kevin Garnett; not Mr. Smith.

Now that Patrick Ewing is a Supersonic, I'm surprised at the different viewpoints Knicks' management and Ewing have voiced about the trade. Patrick says he was "shocked" by the trade. The Knicks say Patrick requested the trade. A player who spent 15 years with one team is dealt and no one is willing to admit the real reasons behind the trade. Money, of course. Patrick wanted a contract extension; the Knicks didn't want to pay him. However, the Knicks have taken on more salary in Glen Rice, Travis Knight, and Luc Longleywhom they acquired in the deal than it would have cost them to sign Patrick to an extension. Go figure.