New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
Spree spews more venom
BY FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Friday, October 22nd, 2004

MINNEAPOLIS - Latrell Sprewell is on the verge of potentially nasty fight with a certain NBA owner, only this battle has nothing to do with James Dolan or the Knicks.
Sprewell's latest antagonist is the Minnesota Timberwolves' front office and their owner Glen Taylor, who has yet to finalize a contract extension that Sprewell believes should have been completed in July. With 12 days until Minnesota's Nov.3 season opener against the Knicks, Sprewell yesterday issued a warning to the team: "If they don't do anything before the season it could lead to potential problems.

"They're not showing the interest that they want to keep me," Sprewell added. "For what I've done and Sam (Cassell) have done for the organization, I think it would be somewhat of a smack in the face if they don't step up and get something done. If not, I would take it as it's time for me to go somewhere else."

Sprewell, 34, is scheduled to make $14.6 million this season and is hoping to receive a three-year contract extension worth $40 million. The Wolves are believed to be offering a deal for approximately $30 million over three years, but Sprewell made it clear yesterday that he's "not trying to take a pay cut.

"A lot of other guys out there are not even doing as well as I am and are still making as much if not more," he said.

The Wolves are trying to exercise fiscal responsibility while trying to contend, and many feel they could win the NBA title in June. Sprewell is a major reason why Minnesota, which had never won a playoff series before last season, advanced to the Western Conference finals, where the Wolves lost to the Lakers in six games.

"That's where I'm coming from," Sprewell said. "This team has never gotten out of the first round. We come here, we do what we have to do and we almost get to the Finals. If they're not going to take care of us ... it's a slap in the face.

"People will smile in your face and then stab you in the back. That's the nature of the business."

As Sprewell enters the twilight of his career, he continues to be a durable and productive player. He appeared in all 82 games last season, averaging 16.8 points, 3.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds. His scoring average increased to 19.8 points over 18 playoff games, including a 28-point performance in Game5 of the conference finals against the Lakers.

Sprewell seemed to suggest that Wolves GM Kevin McHale and head coach Flip Saunders want him back but that Taylor may have some reservations.

"Glen Taylor makes the decisions," he said. "It's his money. It's his team. Owners make the calls."

As for the other owner he has famously feuded with, Sprewell remains convinced that Dolan ordered then-Knicks president Scott Layden to trade him following the 2002-03 season. Current Knicks president Isiah Thomas is said to admire Sprewell and perhaps would have fought to keep him.

"Isiah probably wouldn't have wanted me to leave," Sprewell said. "It came from Dolan. It's his team. As a GM it would be hard to go against what the owner says."

Sprewell's bitterness toward Dolan, the Garden chairman, turned ugly when Sprewell screamed profanities at his former boss when the Wolves beat the Knicks at the Garden last December. Sprewell, who will not play in tonight's exhibition game against the Knicks, says he will be ready for Nov.3 and that he is looking forward to coming to New York on Dec.29.

Sprewell also reiterated that he is upset with Allan Houston for publicly criticizing him the day after Sprewell's last visit to the Garden. Houston, who missed 30 games last season because of knee injuries, likely will be sidelined for the season opener.

"I think it's ironic that the Knicks said that I was the one on the downside of my career," Sprewell said. "It's something they used to convince the public that they had to get rid of me."



KNICKS FALL: Tim Thomas had eight points in the first 10 minutes, but left last night's 112-74 preseason loss in Dallas with a sprained ankle. Thomas had X-rays that were negative and did not return.

Jamal Crawford had 14 points and Michael Sweetney added 10 for the Knicks (2-2), who shot 31%.

take anything from Isola or Berman with a grain of salt... or a bag of salt, but its pretty funny. Especially with today's NBA economics. Who does Spree think he is? Allan Houston? $40mm for a guy that turns 34 the next year?

Planet Spree... its *is* pretty funny.

agreed here. If I were Spree and offered $10M a year for 3 years, I would scoop that up in a NY minute. I bet the last year on the deal was not even guaranteed.

Still, Spree has to realize that there are a lot of 2 guards in the league that are 21, 22, 23, 24 years old who only can command $5M-$7M a year who are equal or better in caliber. And cheaper.

Spree is nuts.

He is a good player and everything.....he just needs to calm down sometimes.

After Spree's comments I would ignore Spree and let the market pick his salary.

I think Spree knows he'd definately get a smaller contract once he's out on the market.

This year alone guys liek Stephen Jax, Crawford, and Q are more attractive than a 34 year old Spree.

I'm so happy he is no longer a Knick. The man is on the downside of his career and he wants more money. If he were on the Knicks he would be pulling this **** on the kNicks and causing trouble. This year he will be lucky to average 15 points a game.

Have you seen the prices of new rims lately? Spree needs the dough man :-)

Serioulsy, I think he is just being a wise businessman. This is probably his last lucrative contract. He is just trying to get paid. We all do the same. Let's stop romancing the notion of playing a childs game for free. No one will ever do it. At least not at their level.

Sprewell, 34, is scheduled to make $14.6 million this season and is hoping to receive a three-year contract extension worth $40 million. The Wolves are believed to be offering a deal for approximately $30 million over three years, but Sprewell made it clear yesterday that he's "not trying to take a pay cut.

"A lot of other guys out there are not even doing as well as I am and are still making as much if not more," he said.

Spree needs to realize that plenty of other players who are BETTER than him also make significantly LESS than what he's even being offered by the T'Wolves...case in point, Rip Hamilton...& i think he kinda helped his team win an NBA championship last year.

if Spree had wanted to be a maxed out player like Allan Houston, he should have thought about that when he negotiated his last contract...no one in their right mind is going to pay a 34 year old SG who averages 17 ppg the amount he's asking for now...

Spree needs a reality check...i think the T'Wolves offer is more than fair.

Posted by DefAndReb:

Hey Spree! Leggo your ego!

LOL

Life on the planet spree is free and easy. Just show up whenever, and as long as your hitting the shot, everything is so cool.

I love spree world. He upset that he took care of business, and now he wants to be rewarded. What he forgets is that he got paid 12 mil last year. He did his job, and got paid. Now he wants a cookie too.

Spree don't like owners. He is trying to split the coach and general manager from the owner. Not smart. speaking for others, including Isiah is stupid. Spree is not an Isiah kind of guy in my opinon. Isiah mentors are guys like Bobby Knight. Think Spree could have played for Knight?

Is he threatening to something? This guy on the free market will get run, but there are some owners whom have not forgotten golden state, not forgotten the tirade against Dolan, not forgotten his broken hand on the high seas in Milwaukee harbor, or the other bullZhit he has pulled.

but on the planet Spree, "All's well, SpreesWell!"

Spree is the american dream. Get off his banana.

I don't give a rats azz what spree does or does not.

Its funny both him and cassel do ok and now they want all kinds of big money. Its funny, not stupid. The market determines the price eventually. The suits will hate on spree, so Taylor has to look at his sponsers and decide if he wants to do it.

Of course its business, but what we do here is not.

The planet Spree: Where hate is just another emotion to feel loved. Where walking to your own beat is accepted, cuz there are not suits.
On The planet Spree, Mike Tyson and SpreeDoggie Dog can eat ears and not be put to sleep.
On the Planet Spree, All hands on deck don't break.
ON the planet spree, Charleston SC does not exist.

On the planet spree, you are free!

SPreeWorld!