STARK: Players may shuffle, teams still winners
Chuck Stark — Jul 12th, 1996
The foursomes were backed up four deep during the recent Detlef Schrempf Celebrity Tournament at McCormick Woods.
Finally, John Starks of the New York Knicks strolled out of his cart to take his shot.
Starks hit a worm-burner off the tee. It traveled about 50 yards.
"Hey, John, you never were very good coming off the bench," yelled Sonics' coach George Karl from one of the golf carts stacked up behind.
Starks turned and shrugged, not really hearing what Karl had said.
Karl tried again. "You were always better as a starter, John. You never did like sitting."
Starks, relegated to sixth man last season after starting most of his career in New York, seemed miffed as he drove off to hit his next shot.
Karl was hardly concerned. "Well, I guess I ticked him off," said the Sonic coach between belly laughs. "We'll never have a chance signing him now."
Wouldn't happen. Not this year, anyway. It just seems like every player in the NBA is a free agent. Starks isn't one of the 150 players who became part of the richest free-agent market in league history Thursday afternoon.
The greatest migration of millionaires who earn their living by wearing baggy shorts has commenced.
And if you believe everything you've read or heard, Gary Payton will be feeding Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley the basketball in Houston next year. Either that, or he'll be playing alongside Alonzo Mourning for Pat Riley's Miami Heat.
Shaquille O'Neal will be in Hollywood next year, playing for the Lakers.
Dikembe Mutombo will be swatting shots in Phoenix, Reggie Miller will be bombing in threes in front of Spike Lee, this time wearing a New York Knicks uniform. Forward Juwon Howard, considered by many to be the most attractive of all the free agents available, will also be in New York or Detroit.
Surely, some of those guys will be wearing new NBA jerseys, but don't count on Payton leaving Seattle. He's grown too close to Karl, who deserves a lot of credit for hanging with "The Glove."
Payton and Karl. It's a package deal as far as Payton's concerned. If Seattle management waffles on any kind of a long-term commitment to Karl, Payton's outta here faster than you can say, "See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya."
With Payton, the Sonics have a legitimate chance to win an NBA championship next season. Seattle's other prime free agents — Sam Perkins, Hersey Hawkins and Frank Brickowski — are all replaceable. Payton is not, not if the Sonics want to win an NBA title.
Expect the deal to happen quickly. If it lingers, and you're a Sonics' fan, then you can start worrying.
Expect the O'Neal saga to take a little longer. The Lakers freed up some cash by dealing Vlade Divac to Charlotte for high school wiz Kobe Bryant and have no doubt made a bid for the Dream Team center.
Orlando's not going to let Shaq go quietly, however.
The Magic have invested four years in his development.
Michael Jordan's been woofing about leaving the Chicago Bulls if they don't come in with the right offer. No way Mike will ever leave Chicago.
When the dust settles after all the signings, it says here the great free-agent migration won't have much impact at all.
Because of superior coaching and management, the same teams that have dominated in recent years will continue to dominate. The Lakers will be good even if they don't get O'Neal. The Heat, with Riley established for a full season, will be solid without Payton. The Rockets will be among the league's best without Barkley. The young and improving Detroit Pistons will continue to improve without adding Howard.
And George, don't worry, the Sonics will be just fine without John Starks.
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