Analyzing The Class Of 2000

by Taylor Agee

This summer, the market was juiced and oozing with talent. Many players were pining to leave their current team (Maurice Taylor, Derek Anderson, etc.), some were iffy on which team to join (Eddie Jones, Tracy McGrady, etc.), and some never even thought about booking a 1-way flight to another city (Joe Smith, Bo Outlaw, etc.). Grab some gatorade, tighten your Nike's, and let me show you a glance at what has happened this summer.

Tim Duncan-The Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs, really, were the only 2 teams that had any chance at all of landing this 7-footer's dominance. At first, it seemed as if Tim and Orlando were a match made in heaven. As proof, Orlando Magic General Manager John Grabriel had the local printing company create a gigantic computer-generated banner of Duncan and former Detroit Pistons star, Grant Hill, in Magic uniforms together with the slogan of "Imagine..." as the clincher. I must admit, it was a bold move, one that took extreme creativity along with a sense of desperaticity. If you had literally gutted a team, I'm sure you would have reached out to the stars like Gabriel did, also. Anyways, Tim was so impressed he decided to stay another day past his booked stay of one weekend. That gave a tremor to the Spurs management, who were already on pins and needles. Tim did have talks with Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich, and seemed impressed. Let me remind you of this, Tim never bothered to enlighten us with his thoughts. All in all, I'm sure Tim will be the only one that ever knew where, in fact, he truly was wanting to go. Hill gave a verbal commitment to the Magic, so all the pieces were in place for Tim to walk hand-in-hand with Grant into Mickey's loving arms down in Orlando. And then the cavalry finally arrived. As a Magic fan, I find this hard to believe but here's what most "insiders" such as ESPN NBA analyst David Aldridge say. Starting Spurs center David Robinson flew in from vacation and told Tim that he planned to be around for several more years, and that he is dedicated to help Tim grow. This obviously turned the tables, because Tim almost immediately announced his intentions of re-signing with the Spurs. Disappointing, but we all should know by now Tim is not the general street baller who is playing for the money. I respect him for that, so he re-signed for 3 years, and that was that.

Grant Hill-Ahh yes, a total success. Grant visited Orlando on July first with Duncan, and, just like Tim, played hush-hush. To make a long story short, Grant obviously knew right away Orlando was the situation for him. He stayed an extra day or two searching for a house with his wife, Tamia, which implied serious intentions of joining the O-Town squad. He arrived back at Detroit and was hesitant to meet with Joe Dumars, for whatever reason. He then told Mr. Dumars that he planned to sign with Orlando once the free agent signing period began, which caused controversy, drama, joy, and all the in-between. Unlike some other free agents, Grant gave his word, and stuck to it. The Spurs, Knicks, Bulls, and several other teams were offering their middle class exception offer of 2.25 million dollars for him to sign with them for 1 year, and then the following year receive a serious pay raise. The Bulls were the only team with enough cap room to sign him to the MAX salary of 9.6 million, but he denied even a visit. It ended up Detroit signing and trading him for a 7 year deal worth the MAX to the Magic for 2 free agents,  power forward Ben Wallace and point guard Chucky Atkins, who were also signed and traded.  Ecstaticity and hype were all I could think about when the Magic got him. It seemed like a Cinderella story come true. Still does, actually...

Tracy McGrady-Many words can describe his venture through the NBA forest of free agency.

Hypocrite.

Liar.

Unfaithful.

Downright confusing would leave it suitable and best put.

Tracy first visited the Magic, and fortunately liked what he saw. He said Orlando is "definetely my first option". However, Tracy also caught a flight to Chicago to visit Chicago Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause and the other pieces of Bulls management. When Tracy arrived from the airport, he was greeted with the Bulls cheerleaders and....Benny the Bull, ahem. How conventional! Tracy was, obviously, enfatuated with Chicago, and announced to the public media that "Chicago is a great place to go, I'm seriously considering them". Wait a second, I've heard that before. 

Tracy then was just messing around back in Orlando when he got a call from Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning. "Zo" told him an enchanting fairy tale, and Tracy announced that he plans to sign with the Heat and take their middle-class exception. As of now, many people were steaming and ready to vent. Orlando? Chicago? Miami? Some doubted if he knew the difference between the 3...

For a few days, all was silent on the fort. Then, out of the blue, Tracy says "Orlando was my first choice all along, and I plan to sign with them". I didn't believe it. Really, I didn't believe it. Tracy had changed his mind so many times I supposed he was a clueless 21 year old who should have gone to college. Then, he was seen at the RDV Sportsplex located in Orlando backing up his statement. To no surprise, Gabriel caught on the with the general idea.Jerry Krause and the Bulls offered flair, Tracy bought into that. Alonzo Mourning offered a chance to play with a contender, Tracy considered that as well. Gabriel had that same local printing company whip up an "Imagine..." banner with Tracy in a Magic uniform, and Tracy obviously said to himself "Whoa! This playpen rocks!". 

Tracy McGrady DID keep his...fourth...word and DID sign with the Magic, something I was bitter, but excited about. The Toronto Raptors, his old team, signed and traded him to the MAX deal over 7 years to the Magic for a conditional first round draft choice. At 21, there is no roof for this kid's game. I got suckered into liking "Slash" McGrady as soon as he was shown with that poster, something I will either regret or recollect as a turning point. I had the fortunate pleasure, by the way, of chatting with Tracy. You can visit my chat transcript with him at  my site ....
(Editor's Note - InsideHoops CAN verify that the above chat transcript is real. It's edited, but accurate. The chat occured on a major portal.)

He actually endorsed my nickname for him! I call him "Slash" because I think he has all the right skills to be a slasher, an exciting, up-beat player with a lot of energy and hype. At 21, he can only get better.

Eddie Jones-Eddie played the silent watcher this summer, being shadowed by the giants (Duncan, Hill, and McGrady). He visited Chicago, Miami, and Orlando, with Orlando never being serious about him. Chicago believed they had a serious chance at landing him, but I believed then and I believe now he was just using them to get a sign and trade to Miami. The Heat were universally-known as the team he wanted to go to, but they only had a middle-class exception to offer, and an all-star is not worth that. As it turned out, Eddie got his wish. This trade happened...

Charlotte Hornets get P.J. Brown, Jamal Mashburn, Otis Thorpe, Tim James
Miami Heat get Eddie Jones, Anthony Mason, Ricky Davis
 

After those 4 guys, there was a drop-off in talent of the market. I will now post the player, old team, new team, and an optional comment. 

Maurice Taylor-Los Angeles Clippers-Houston Rockets-Gave verbal commitment to Magic, but his agent, David Falk, had different things in mind.

Glen Rice-Los Angeles Lakers-???-Undecided as of yet. A 4-way deal sending him to the New York Knicks just fell through, so he is left hanging in the raftors yet again.

Danny Fortson-Boston Celtics-Golden State Warriors-Main prize in 4-way deal between Celtics, Warriors, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks. Should flourish in starting role.

Cuttino Mobley-Houston Rockets-Houston Rockets-Only Toronto Raptors had serious shot at him. Decided that possibly starting spot isn't so bad after all, even if it is on a team that is the odd team out for the playoffs in a strong conference.

Austin Croshere-Indiana Pacers-Indiana Pacers-Raptors and Celtics had interest. Croshere is expected to deliver, because he just got the paycheck that comes with it.

Mark Jackson-Indiana Pacers-Toronto Raptors-So the Raptors DID get someone. Jackson should bring stability to a shaky backcourt and provide leadership and tutoring for Vince Carter.

Reggie Miller-Indiana Pacers-Indiana Pacers-Who else did you think he was going to? Though 10 million per year is a bit much for a player seriously declining. See Hakeem Olajuwon for details.

Jalen Rose-Indiana Pacers-Indiana Pacers-Should be the starting point guard now, though he has been a small forward his whole career. This will be a transition year, but is an upcoming star and is a not a swish-or-brick type of player, very stable and reliable.

Derek Anderson-Los Angeles Clippers-San Antonio Spurs-Had every reason to sign with the Spurs. Absolute perfect fit for him. Gets the playing time he wants, gets to play with a winning team, and could develop into what many people says he can be, an all-star.

Tim Hardaway-Miami Heat-???-Heat are only team of interest as of now, but are waiting until after Olympics to see just how much they really need/want him.

Tim Thomas-Milwaukee Bucks-Milwaukee Bucks-Made a big splash for a bench player. Had a commitment to the Bulls, but backed out when was told that in Milwaukee would get playing time. Not a bad move, but not a good one either. Bucks starting small forward Glenn Robinson deserves minutes, too.

Ron Mercer-Orlando Magic-Chicago Bulls-The lone major signee of the Bulls. Should provide a scoring punch, but not much else. I think it's all about the money with the Mercer and the Bulls, but he could prove me wrong....

Toni Kukoc-Philadelphia 76ers-Philadelphia 76ers-Wants to be a starter, might be a reserve. Caught in the crossfires, but still a solid player.

Brian Grant-Portland Trailblazers-Miami Heat-The deal isn't finalized, but Grant has said even if the Blazers-Heat-Cavaliers trade falls through, he will sign with Miami anyway. It's a great situation for Brian, he doesn't have to be depended on to score, but to do what he does best, rebound.

Rashard Lewis-Seattle Sonics-Seattle Sonics-Imperative that Seattle re-signed him, because he is a future building block.

Isaiah Rider-Atlanta Hawks/McDonalds-Los Angeles Lakers-Just a bit of humor there. Let's see if Bad Boy Rider can change his act and guide L.A. to the promised land once again.
 

Thank you for reading my article. If you would like to send me anything at all, please e-mail me at crazy7345@hotmail.com. Thanks again.
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8/27/2000

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