21 May-16 June 1996
Top News Items between 21 May and 16 June 1996:

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Jim Lynam was the featured guest on the 25 May 1996 edition of Full Court Press. He confirmed that he (and his coaching staff) have signed contract extensions with the Bullets through the 1999 season (not just a one-year deal, as presiously reported). Further, he confirmed (indirectly) that he was given an opportunity to look for a coaching position elsewhere (in the aftermath of John Nash's firing as GM), but chose to remain with the Bullets. Also, his window of opportunity was longer than the end of the month, as previously reported. The other hot rumor is that Jim McIlvaine is going to be in demand on the free agent market this summer. In particular, there was an article in Atlanta quoting Hawks management as being interested in McIlvaine's services (especially defense). It's unclear whether this could appear to be tampering; the Bullets management will sort this one out. I also know that the Bulls, Suns, and Timberwolves are also interested in him. It's probably wise to be ready to say goodbye to Jim McIlvaine, because the Bullets won't be able to afford him.

wtf 29 May 1996
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Gary Williams, the coach of the Maryland Terrapins basketball team, was the featured guest on the 1 June 1996 edition of Full Court Press. Gary Williams discussed some of his recruiting hits and misses this year and the fact that one of the players he was recruiting (Jermaine O'Neal) declared for the NBA.

All three panelists (Michael Wilbon, Tony Kornheiser, Williams) also agreed (Williams did so indirectly) that while Pitino would probably turn down the Kentucky job (FCP is filmed on Thursday), he won't be at Kentucky when the next college basketball season starts. He's waiting for another job to pop open--Bob Hill (San Antonio) and Brian Hill (Orlando) are not in good shape in their organizations (which seem to be looking for fall guys). Stay tuned this summer.

This is the final FCP for this season. It will begin again, probably in the October timeframe. I will continue my notetaking on this show when it comes back.

wtf 1 June 1996
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Here's the latest of what I'm hearing about the free agent prospects for other Bullets free agents. And, in reality, it boils down to Juwan Howard.

According to some sources, the Howard sweepstakes are narrowed down to Washington, Detroit, and New York. (I don't understand New York, but that's okay.) LA is going to put the press on Shaq, Chicago seems to be fading as a consideration, and Miami is concentrating elsewhere. I anticipate the Bullets will come to the table with an initial offer that will average around $12M per year, but will go as high as necessary to re-sign him.

Further, the Bullets have reportedly let the Pistons management know that if Detroit comes hard for Howard, the Bullets are going to go equally hard for their free agent shooting guard Allan Houston. And before you lynch me for this statement, think about the lineup with Cheaney at small forward (where I think he belongs) and Houston, a true outside threat, at shooting guard. No, it's not Howard in the lineup. And personally, I wouldn't want to have a team without Juwan Howard; he's got that competitive intensity and leadership that is missing from most young players (Chris included). I guess spending last summer with Jordan didn't hurt.

Still, I'd definitely have Howard over Houston and try to solve the shooting guard problem elsewhere. Of course, both of them together will be nice.

As for the other major free agents:

  1. Jim McIlvaine is in high demand. Teams seriously interested in him include Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Minnesota, and Phoenix. And other teams will inquire.
  2. Robert Pack is in limbo. No one knows if he's truly healthy, and he's never played a full season in his career. It's doubtful many teams will step up early for his services. Washington has the inside track, but probably won't re-sign him until late August or September.
  3. Brent Price will go where he can get a starting point guard job. And despite his ability to hit the outside shot, he probably won't get the nod in Washington. The Bullets seem to be leaning toward a more fast break oriented offense.
I'd also like to see the Bullets resign Chris Whitney, Bob McCann, and Ledell Eackles. They definitely help on the bench. You can see more on my off-season thoughts on the following page. (page is not active yet)

wtf 9 June 1996
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This isn't a typical story about the Bullets, but I figured I'd include it. A positive piece about the Bullets management. Washington Sports president Susan O'Malley spoke at the 11th annual All-Met Teams luncheon for DC-area athletes and coaches in 29 area high school sports.

Ms. O'Malley, who is one of the highest ranking female executives in professional sports, recounted how a junior high school teacher told her that her goal of running a sports franchise was unrealistic. O'Malley then talked about the WIN theory that she says has made her a success:

As she said: "I believe you can be anything you want to be in life. And I am living proof."

Ms. O'Malley has proven that teacher wrong. Of course, it didn't hurt that O'Malley's father knows Bullets owner Abe Pollin. But that's another story. And I can't deny that she HAS made it to the top through hard work and dedication, not family connections.

wtf 9 June 1996
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And you thought the NBA's labor pains were behind them. Hah! In case you weren't aware of it, the NBA Players Union has not ratified and signed the labor agreement from last summer. Last year's election had nothing to do with ratifying the agreement; it had to do with a vote of confidence for the executive committee of the NBA Players Union.

Yes, the team representatives supposedly approved the deal subsequent to that election, but the signatures never went on the dotted line. And the new Players Union leadership is now playing hardball again, refusing to sign unless certain concessions are made. And NBA commissioner David Stern is furious.

The legal battles continue; there are suits and counter-suits still winding their way through the courts. David Stern is considering a lockout this summer to force the issue. It could happen on July 1, which would affect certain key players who are free agents this off-season and couldn't then negotiate. There's also a question as to whether the Dream Team could then happen, if the lockout begins before the Summer Olympics. That's a PR problem waiting to happen.

Personally, this sounds like sour grapes on the part of certain losers in last year's labor/management battle. Jeffrey Kessler, a lawyer who was one of the non-player leaders of last year's revolt, is now the lead negotiator for the Players Union. I think you get the picture. I hope the players get this picture--they ratified the deal last year, let's sign it and stop pussy-footing around.

wtf 9 June 1996
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While we're still unsure about Juwan being in a Bullets uniform next season, he is still active in the DC community. The latest example was a basketball clinic, held at George Washington University's Smith Center, that benefited the Juwan Howard Foundation and Share the Care for Children. Kids (and a few adults) got instruction on the fundamentals (dibbling, layups, post moves, as well as 3-on-3 and full court scrimmaging) from Juwan, teammates Chris Webber and Robert Pack, and Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning. (Now that's some pull.)

At the end, participants got a certificate and a book, as well as autographs and photos with the pros. They were completely accessible to the participants. It's a good thing to see, and for a good cause.

One thing to learn: don't talk trash with Juwan. One 17-year old (Natasha Johnson) told him he couldn't hang with her. Two straight plays, Juwan yelled "Iso!" at the top of the key and got the ball. The first time, it was a few dribbles and a pull up jumper for two. The next time, it was a few between-the-legs dribbles, then up for another jump shot--SWISH! So keep that in mind the next time you see Juwan at your local playground--keep your mouth shut.

wtf 17 June 1996
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So, do you really think you know Wes Unseld? I gave you a partial picture when he took the GM job following Nash's resignation. What is Wes' life like right now? His favorite reading--a two-inch tome entitled "NBA Operations Manual." His to do list this off-season--re-sign Juwan Howard, improve the backcourt, and acquaint Rasheed Wallace with a Nautilus machine. (I love that line.)

He had been contemplating a career change before accepting owner Abe Pollin's offer on May 1, 1996; it just wasn't a career as a GM. But he has the 5-year contract to back it up. He had hoped to take a vacation after spending the last year working on the MCI Center project. He was even considering walking away from the Bullets completely after the MCI Center opens in late 1997. But it wasn't to be.

Many long-time Bullets fans know that it was bad (now arthritic) knees that forced Wes (a 6'7" Hall of Fame center) to retire after 13 seasons. Do you know he is now fighting diabetes, a fight that will never end? I didn't. His skills were unique, as he was recognized as one of the best rebounders and outlet passers of all time. Cases in point:

Unseld is well-loved, even revered, by employees at USAir Arena. When coach, he'd come back from long road trips and drive directly to the office to take the staff for a morale-boosting ice cream break. His stint as coach (202-345 in just under 7 seasons) didn't show the winning ways of his playing days, but there are some interesting stories from those days. Unseld feels vindicated about some of his opinions on the lack of talent, which no one in the organization seemed to take seriously when he was the coach. In particular, when Lynam took over for Unseld as coach (after Nash forced out Unseld, much like Nash was then forced out by Susan O'Malley), Lynam came to the same conclusion that Unseld had about Rex Chapman, Don MacLean and others. (The same conclusion that I, and many other fans, had come to: these players weren't winners.)

As current Toronto Raptors' coach Darrell Walker, who played four seasons for Unseld, says: "True basketball people know it comes down to players. We didn't have the players when Wes was there. Trust me, his teams were prepared to play. Teams respected us. I still see guys who tell me how much they hated to play us. There'd be bodies flying everywhere."

I don't know if teams respected them, although they realized the Bullets (many times) gave it all they had. But Wes also had a big doghouse, erratic substitution patterns, and other traits that didn't always win over the players. What does his future as a GM hold? It's unclear. We know he'll give it his best effort, but is he a player personnel man? We shall see. Let's hope he's more successful here, like he was as a player and leading Unseld's MCI Center project, than he was as a coach. As he is quoted at the end of the article: "I will do what I have to do."

(Thanks to Richard Justice for the article (June 16 Washington Post Sports).)

wtf 17 June 1996
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Let's run through these really quick, just to whet your appetite.

Juwan's agent, David Falk, has purportedly promised to deliver Juwan to the Bullets IF the Bullets also sign PG Kenny Anderson. Now, you know my feelings about Anderson. I'm not sure this is worth it. The Bullets still have the inside track on re-signing Juwan. Bullets management like the fact that Juwan is looking for a house to buy in the DC area, and Juwan and GM Wes Unseld recently sat down to discuss personnel issues, including Calbert Cheaney and Rasheed Wallace. Speaking of Calbert, there is a rumor that the Bullets are thinking of dealing Cheaney to the Celtics for midget PG Dana Barros, who signed a huge FA deal last season (after spurning the Bullets), then proceeded to stink up the new Fleet Center. Bad deal, IMO. And you definitely don't do it straight up. Please, no Barros. Now, for the PG situation, the Bullets may not be too interested in Pack after all. At least, they will wait out the first month before really putting the pressure on re-signing him. They like Brent Price (sort of), but he's very likely to go elsewhere. After that, the guard situation gets very muddy. Nothing earth shattering, but just the latest info as it crosses my desk.

wtf 19 June 1996
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