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MFFL · 08-16-2001, 10:16 AM

New York Post
SPICE RICE WITH PICK
By KEVIN KERNAN

August 16, 2001 -- The Glen Rice deal is a bit undercooked for Houston's liking. So the Rockets want the Knicks to add a bit of seasoning - a conditional draft pick, according to sources, if Rice is not able to play a certain number of games because of his ongoing foot problems.

Rice was dealt to the Rockets on Friday in a three-team deal that brought the Knicks forward Shandon Anderson and guard Howard Eisley. The deal was contingent upon Rice passing a physical with the Rockets. After getting a look at Rice's left foot, the Rockets put the trade on hold on Tuesday, saying they want a closer examination of the foot and the plantar fasciaitis.

Houston GM Carroll Dawson released a statement last night saying all of Rice's medical information has been forwarded to the team physicians as of late yesterday, and that the club would make a final decision on the deal by tomorrow at noon.

The Knicks are in hiding and will not talk about the trade. The Rockets, according to sources, want the Knicks to throw in that conditional draft pick to protect themselves if Rice's balky left foot severely limits his playing time next season.

It's not known if the Knicks will go for such a deal, but it is doubtful this trade will die. Rice met with his agent Jeff Wexler yesterday in Miami. Neither Rice nor Wexler returned phone calls to The Post.

On Monday, Rice told a Houston TV station he had no doubts he would pass the Rockets' physical, saying, "I think everything is going to turn out great. I'll be a Rocket."

The reality of the situation is that the Knicks, Rockets and Mavs do not want to see this deal blow up because they each got rid of something they don't want.

The Knicks dumped Rice, who has three years left on his contract; the Rockets got something for free-agent Anderson, a player they did not want to pay $40 million over six years; and the Mavs got rid of Eisley to free up space for Tim Hardaway.

The Rockets also got the outside shooter they crave and the Knicks got younger, even though their payroll is now a hideous $82.40 million next season. When you're going on 29 years without a championship, you become desperate.

In addition, the Rockets are caught short on outside shooting if Rice is FedExed back to the Knicks. Free-agent Matt Bullard, their top 3-point shooter, has signed with Charlotte. They desperately need Rice and coach Rudy Tomjanovich wants Rice on his team even though Rice scored a career-low 12 points a game as his minutes were cut in Jeff Van Gundy's Bermuda Triangle offense.

When in doubt, Tomjanovich always takes the shooter, so look for Rice to land in Houston. It would be very difficult for the Knicks to welcome back Rice after dealing him away.

So the Rockets will try to squeeze a draft pick out of the Knicks. Since the Knicks don't ever seem to do anything with young players except send them away, this does not seem like an impossible situation with tomorrow's high noon deadline looming.

08-16-2001, 10:16 AM	#7
MFFL Guru Join Date: May 2001 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 13,180	New York Post SPICE RICE WITH PICK By KEVIN KERNAN August 16, 2001 -- The Glen Rice deal is a bit undercooked for Houston's liking. So the Rockets want the Knicks to add a bit of seasoning - a conditional draft pick, according to sources, if Rice is not able to play a certain number of games because of his ongoing foot problems. Rice was dealt to the Rockets on Friday in a three-team deal that brought the Knicks forward Shandon Anderson and guard Howard Eisley. The deal was contingent upon Rice passing a physical with the Rockets. After getting a look at Rice's left foot, the Rockets put the trade on hold on Tuesday, saying they want a closer examination of the foot and the plantar fasciaitis. Houston GM Carroll Dawson released a statement last night saying all of Rice's medical information has been forwarded to the team physicians as of late yesterday, and that the club would make a final decision on the deal by tomorrow at noon. The Knicks are in hiding and will not talk about the trade. The Rockets, according to sources, want the Knicks to throw in that conditional draft pick to protect themselves if Rice's balky left foot severely limits his playing time next season. It's not known if the Knicks will go for such a deal, but it is doubtful this trade will die. Rice met with his agent Jeff Wexler yesterday in Miami. Neither Rice nor Wexler returned phone calls to The Post. On Monday, Rice told a Houston TV station he had no doubts he would pass the Rockets' physical, saying, "I think everything is going to turn out great. I'll be a Rocket." The reality of the situation is that the Knicks, Rockets and Mavs do not want to see this deal blow up because they each got rid of something they don't want. The Knicks dumped Rice, who has three years left on his contract; the Rockets got something for free-agent Anderson, a player they did not want to pay $40 million over six years; and the Mavs got rid of Eisley to free up space for Tim Hardaway. The Rockets also got the outside shooter they crave and the Knicks got younger, even though their payroll is now a hideous $82.40 million next season. When you're going on 29 years without a championship, you become desperate. In addition, the Rockets are caught short on outside shooting if Rice is FedExed back to the Knicks. Free-agent Matt Bullard, their top 3-point shooter, has signed with Charlotte. They desperately need Rice and coach Rudy Tomjanovich wants Rice on his team even though Rice scored a career-low 12 points a game as his minutes were cut in Jeff Van Gundy's Bermuda Triangle offense. When in doubt, Tomjanovich always takes the shooter, so look for Rice to land in Houston. It would be very difficult for the Knicks to welcome back Rice after dealing him away. So the Rockets will try to squeeze a draft pick out of the Knicks. Since the Knicks don't ever seem to do anything with young players except send them away, this does not seem like an impossible situation with tomorrow's high noon deadline looming.