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bobs3304
Posts: 24827
Alba Posts: 3
Joined: 7/5/2005
Member: #948
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I was "banned" from RGM some time ago for some BS reason. Basically I can't post. So I need someone to post this for me in "Hope33's" name.
Thanks.
-- Ryan
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Now Only Isiah Can Send 2 Fading Stars Off Into the Sunset...
In 1998, 2 years after being drafted 4th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks and traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Stephon Marbury was dealt to New Jersey for Terrell Brandon. The Wolves had made the playoffs two straight years, and the Garnett/Marbury tandem was looking bright for the future. They were called the new-age Stockton and Malone. But for some reason, Stephon and owner Glen Taylor came to a disagreement and ties were broken. Stephon wanted more money, he didn't want to play Robin to KG's Batman, he was selfish, etc, etc. Whatever your opinion, Marbury went on to collect two All-Star nods, and is STILL the only player beside Oscar Robertson to average 20 points and 8 assists for his career. Unlike the Big O, however, Stephon to this day has never enjoyed any lasting success. And since his departure, like the Timberwolves themselves, he has never fully recovered...
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A year later in 1999, Steve Francis, standout sophomore from Maryland, was drafted 2nd overall by the Vancouver Grizzlies. The orginization, like Minnesota before them, was building on a foundation of their own, with Mike Bibby and Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and was looking to add that 3rd young core piece to their team. When chosen 2nd overall, Francis cried out and swore that the Bulls, who passed on him, would regret it. He also went on to REFUSE to play for the Grizzlies, and forced a trade to the Houston Rockets. Often called selfish, a ballhog, and a defensive liability, Francis cross-overed and dunked his way to 3 straight All-Star selections, only to get bounced from the playoffs in the 1st round in 2004. It would seem since then his game has "deteriorated," and the Grizzlies themselves havent enjoyed much luck either...
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2 past All-Stars. 2 players who have played most of their career with a bad reputation. 2 guys who have all the talent in the world, but may live the rest of their lives wondering --
"What if..."
What if they had stayed. What if they had swallowed their pride and been part of a growing core in two frigid cities that needed a new star to warm things up. What couldve been.....
Well, only 1 man can return these 2 fading stars to the place where it all began for them. So that both no longer have to wonder what if, and can give it one last try, for old times sake. To show that theyve grown up since then, that theyre willing to give it another go before their careers are over. To make things right...
That man is Isiah Thomas. He's no Don Corleone, but Isiah, in one fell swoop, could undo years of damage from the past, and potential damage in the future.
Perhaps, in the end, this is the only way to save his own job.
This could be a storied offseason for 3 teams, and 1 man has the power to make it happen...
[Edited by - bobs3304 on 05-11-2006 04:02 AM]
DLee is the best thing to happen to NY in Isiah's 4 year tenure.
And that alone, though a positive on the radar, is sad as hell.
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5/11/2006 4:42 PM
