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In this corner: not all of this season's battles will be waged between opponents. After an offseason of discontent, many franchises must cope with internal issues

Sporting News, The, Oct 18, 2004 by Ira Winderman

Vince Carter vs. the Raptors

This is more of a case of Vince Carter vs. being stuck in what he increasingly perceives as a go-nowhere situation, about to play for his third coach in as many years. The irony is that Carter was supposed to be the force leading the Raptors to better tomorrows. Instead, he has yearned to play elsewhere and experienced enough injuries to make even the mildest of cynics wonder. The Raptors' problem is they have failed to groom a possible successor as the face of the franchise. Tracy McGrady wanted the spotlight as a free agent. Antonio Davis never seemed to comprehend that Toronto wasn't in upstate New York. Jalen Rose is, well, Jalen Rose. The ultimate resolution is to trade for a charismatic, dynamic, skilled replacement. Based on Carter's current market value, the best the Raptors might be able to do is Eddie Jones.

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The decision: Like it or not, the face of today's NBA is a portrait of placating those who grouse loudest. The Raptors have done nothing but try to do right by Carter, but they'll be forced to deal at something less favorable even than the Canadian exchange rate. Still, Toronto is no backwoods burg. The NBA will survive in Canada without Vince, and Toronto might even turn the corner toward an appreciation of greater team play.

Peja Stojakovic vs. Chris Webber

Had Vlade Divac remained with the Kings instead of leaving for the Lakers as a free agent, this might never have erupted as an issue. As the game's consummate passing big man, Divac was an equal-opportunity distributor in Sacramento's offense. Now Divac's touches will go elsewhere, and that rightfully is a concern for Stojakovic, who thrived for most of last season amid Webber's extended injury absence. As diverse a talent as Webber can be, he also tends to set up his game first, holding the ball longer than the split-seconds when Stojakovic shakes his defender. Before Webber's knee problems, the Kings were his team; as he rehabbed, Stojakovic emerged as an elite scorer. Then Webber seemingly called out Stojakovic in the wake of last season's playoff demise, questioning his work ethic. Based on the internal politics of the Kings' locker room, Peja now could find himself isolated. He went into camp maintaining a desire to be relocated.

The decision: The Kings' front office has proved as crafty as any management team in recent years and should do everything possible to find a taker for Webber and his creaky knees before even considering dealing the game's premier outside threat.

Hubie Brown vs. creeping selfishness

Few stories were as heartwarming last season as Hubie Brown's ability, in today's atmosphere of me-first basketball, to get the Grizzlies to buy into a two-unit, 10-man rotation. But that was then, when the Grizzlies were driven by an us-against-the-world mentality on the way to the franchise's first playoff berth. With that goal already accomplished, maintaining a consensus figures to be a challenge. Pan Gasol now has his big money; why not insist on bigger minutes, as well? Stromile Swift was denied his long-term deal; that means star-building minutes will be essential this season. And then there are Shane Battier, James Posey, Jason Williams, Brian Cardinal, Mike Miller and a host of younger prospects. Compatible quickly could turn combustible.

The decision: The feel-good story won't feel quite as good a second time around to those forced to watch and wait. With Memphis locked into arguably the toughest of the new divisions--with San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and New Orleans--figure patience to wear thin from those players left with maximum time to stew about minimal minutes.

Allen Iverson vs. the new regime

Say what you want about the high-maintenance 76ers guard, but his surroundings continue to spin nearly as fast as he does off a pick. From Jerry Stackhouse to Larry Hughes to Tim Thomas to Keith Van Horn to, ugh, Glenn Robinson, Iverson has had to adjust almost as much as opposing defenses. Many of the shakeups have been triggered by Iverson's unique style, and with the arrival of coach Jim O'Brien and his defensive-minded ways, you have to wonder if another adjustment is remotely possible. Based on the Olympic disappointment and the 76ers' slide out of last season's playoffs, Iverson could be approaching his professional breaking point.

The decision: We can't see a divorce. Instead, expect a reconciliation between Iverson and the 76ers. O'Brien stresses many of the positives that helped Larry Brown get the most out of A.I. but produces far less angst, as evidenced by his solid relationship with Paul Pierce in Boston. With Samuel Dalembert and Willie Green emerging, Iverson figures to appreciate his newfound position of team leader, and his body should hold up far better with the shift back to point guard.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim vs. the Blazers

Though this could be viewed as another case of an athlete forcing management's hand, in many ways the talented forward finds himself caught in the opposite situation. Relegated to play for some of the league's lowliest franchises over his career, all Abdur-Rahim has asked for is a chance. Instead, the Blazers have pushed him into a no-win situation, stuck behind future-of-the-franchise Zach Randolph at power forward and newly re-upped Darius Miles at small forward. Factor in the need to find minutes at forward for Travis Outlaw, Qyntel Woods and perhaps even Ruben Patterson, and this hardly is an inviting situation for a 27-year-old heading into the final year of a contract. Yes, Abdur-Rahim could be moved in a trade, with the Jason Kidd option still a possibility, but the franchise should have addressed the situation earlier, before asking a selfless player to yet again swallow his pride and play both as a reserve and out of position, at small forward.

In this corner: not all of this season's battles will be waged between opponents. After an offseason of discontent, many franchises must cope with internal issues

Sporting News, The, Oct 18, 2004 by Ira Winderman

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