Vescey On Mourning, Cassell and Shaq



The start of NBA training camps means two things --- many replays of MSG's Stephon Marbury documentary (zzz) and the return of the NY Post's Peter Vescey. In Friday's edition, Vescey weighs in on Alonzo Mourning's grim prognosis for the Nets' '04/05 campaign, Sam Cassell showing up late for T-Wolves camp, and Shaquile O'Neal's continuing war of words with supergrass Kobe Bryant.

Once upon a time 'Zo was great. He's long since become an ingrate. Don't go away angry, 'Zo, just pocket your remaining $18 million or so over the next three years and go away.

Preferably before or soon after the season commences. That's the only approach for 'Zo to take if he really wants to help the Nyets, retire without playing as many as 10 games. That way, as the league explains it, he'll come off their cap at the end of the season. Should 'Zo report to the scorer's table 10 or more times, on the other hand, the Nyets are stuck with him on their cap for at least another two seasons.

As for Sam Cassell, a season can't get out of park without him pitchin' a trite bitch about being underpaid. And though it's just about always true (you would expect a 19 point double clutch scorer to earn more than $6.06M and $6.66M next year, his last) it's always his fault.

Never once has Sam I Am shown the discipline or the good sense to seriously shop himself on the free-agent marketplace. That's why the Timberwolve holdout remains underpaid and grumpy. He never plays out his contract. His M.O. always has been to accept long-term security, meaning a 121/2 percent yearly pay raise.

Several years ago, Cassell's father approached me about his son's contractual dissatisfaction following a Bucks-76ers playoff game in Philly. I strongly urged him to convince Sam to show faith in himself, to finish the final two years on his contract, not make the same mistake and sign an extension.

A month or two later, Cassell hired yet another agent (Dr. Charles Tucker) and signed yet another extension.

If you're Shaq don't you have to take the fine and suspension the first time the Heat meet the Lakers Christmas Day? I mean, if you're half the man Shaq swears he is, I assume he's gotta do something to a guy who squealed on him when he wasn't in on the caper or in the room? Let's take it a quantum leap further. Talk about a first! Kobe turned state's evidence on Shaq and he wasn't even in the state.

Posted: Fri - October 8, 2004 at 02:41 AM      

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