http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/9715851.htm?1c

Cavaliers center in on Clark

The problem is they can't seem to find him
By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal staff writer


The Cavaliers still are searching for a backup center -- literally.

With training camp scheduled to start in 15 days at Capital University in Columbus, the roster remains in flux. They might have the candidate for the job: They just can't find him.

The team is trying to locate free agent Keon Clark -- a well-known free spirit and wanderer -- who apparently is beyond the bounds of modern communication devices.

Cavaliers director of player personnel Mark Warkentien visited him earlier this month at his Danville, Ill., home to gauge his interest in signing. Before a deal gets done, the Cavaliers would like to bring Clark to town for an interview and workout.

If it doesn't work out, they likely will turn to veteran Scott Williams, who visited Cleveland last Friday.

Clark doesn't have a regular agent, and last year, which he sat out almost entirely with an ankle injury, he absconded regularly from the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns.

After being traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Jazz last summer, the 6-foot-11 Clark played just two games last season.

Clark, who averaged 6.7 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Kings in 2002-03, regularly vanished from the Jazz's sight during his rehab.

When they traded him to the Phoenix Suns in February, he never reported.

He's also experienced some personal problems. His father was sentenced to 65 years in prison for murdering a friend in a fight over a bicycle in February. Clark also has had a history of marijuana issues dating to his college days at UNLV.

The Cavaliers have interest in him because he's probably the most athletic and talented center still available this late in the off-season. Williams is 36 and averaged 4.6 points and 3.1 rebounds in 43 games with the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns last season.

``Scott and I had good conversation last week,'' Cavaliers coach Paul Silas said. ``He's got his weight down, and he's been on a workout regimen.''

Another option is 35-year-old Sean Rooks, who averaged 2.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 55 games with the New Orleans Hornets and the Orlando Magic last year.

According to an NBA source, the Cavaliers are considering signing point guard Chris Whitney to a nonguaranteed contract. Whitney averaged 2.9 points in 16 games for Washington last season.

The marijuana story and the story about his father are old news, but I didn't know about his attendance problems last year. I couldn't understand why last year they kept saying (starting in Feb) that his ankle was healing fine and they expected him to return soon, but then the return date kept getting pushed back. Eventually, he didn't even return at all. Now we know why. I didn't know that he didn't have an agent or any communication devices like a telephone. Maybe he simply doesn't want to play in the NBA.

Posted by fishmike:

thank you... maybe now we can end the get Keon threads. This guy is ka ka

I still think he was a decent role player in Toronto and Sacramento and has some potential if he ever becomes motivated again. But right now does not look like the right time to waste a roster spot on him.

Posted by fishmike:

thank you... maybe now we can end the get Keon threads. This guy is ka ka

this has nothing to do w/his talent or ability fish...your argument had nothing to do w/this turn of events

Posted by fishmike:

actually I always thought he had good ability

I could have sworn you had said he had no talent

maybe I did.. he's a great athlete.. nobody denies that, but he's not skilled. If you not skilled youve got to make your way like Ben Wallace, by tons of hard work. Thats obviously not Keon's MO, and never has been.

Keons'a skankin
skankin it to pieces
Keons' a skankin
skankin it slow.......