Vecsey's an idiot but this sounded interesting

[MFFL]

I normally ignore Vecsey - but this was pretty good...
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NO KIDD-ING:
NETS COULD LOSE JASON

January 29, 2002 -- FOR some unknown reason, a copious amount of wishing-well fools seem to think Tim Duncan will abandon the Spurs when his escape clause kicks in following the 2002-03 season.

Despite not signing with the Magic two summers ago when he could've joined forces with either Grant Hill or Tracy McGrady (not both) as a free agent, the notion is Duncan will reroute to Orlando next chance he gets. In anticipation, the Magic has cleared $18-to$20 million in cap space - as has Miami just in case The Big Fundamental misplaces his map while tooling around Florida . . . or Jermaine O'Neal or Antonio McDyess don't re-sign with the Pacers and Nuggets, respectively.

What's gone strangely unnoticed, for the most part, though, is that coach/GM Gregg Popovich has arranged it so the Spurs will be remarkably rich in room that same summer. While the Knicks and a number of teams won't have more than a mid-level exception salary to invest in a free agent through 2004-05, Tony Parker (856G) is the only member of the Spurs locked into a contract past the 2002-03 season. What's equally amazing is the Spurs figure to be legitimate title contenders (as long as Duncan stays healthy) right up until that moment.

Now, I'm no budget director or restoration expert, but with that in mind, it seems Popovich shouldn't have that much difficulty recruiting superior services to surround his superstar. In other words, it's easier for the Spurs, not to mention the Spurs with a fat bankroll, to woo stars to play alongside Duncan than it is for opponents to woo him.

Which leads us to the motive for laying this out here today. Already I'm hearing Jason Kidd is exceptionally motivated to merge with Duncan. Not that the Nets' Confidence Man (spotlighted lately by Charlie Rose and New York Magazine) is about to confirm such meandering material during the midst of one of the finest seasons in franchise history - 11/2 years before the fact. Not that he's about to pledge his love for the southwest (see tours in Dallas and Phoenix) or distaste for New Jersey.

But the truth hurts, and it's not as if executive-of-the-year-to-be Rod Thorn was unaware of it when he acquired Kidd from Phoenix for Stephon Marbury; at the conclusion of the 2002-03 season, Jason has the right to opt out of his last ($10,423,125) year of his contract.

Don't look now afflicted Nets fans, but San Antonio will have everything - Duncan, maximum money, a potentially great team and warm winter days - a Kidd could want. Thorn has 18 months to convince him otherwise. The executive award will be retired in his honor if Thorn can get Kidd to retire in Jersey.