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Rich
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Joined: 12/30/2003
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http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/story/245307p-210158c.html
Wally wishes
to be a Knick
BY FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
MINNEAPOLIS - Wally Szczerbiak spends his summers back home in Cold Spring Harbor, cruising around the Long Island Sound on a boat, golfing with buddies at Bethpage Black and training at local gyms.
"I just enjoyed life on Long Island," he says.
His privileged lifestyle would be nearly perfect if Szczerbiak could arrange to live and work in the New York area year-round and play for the team he grew up supporting. That dream almost became a reality over the summer before trade talks between the Knicks and Timberwolves broke down. For Szczerbiak, the deal was like the big fish that got away.
"The Knicks are an exciting opportunity. They've always been an exciting team that I would love to play for. That's home for me," said Szczerbiak, who scored 20 points in the Timberwolves' 102-82 preseason win over the Knicks last night in Sioux Falls, S.D. "But right now camp is going well. I'm happy that I'm healthy and that I can compete at a high level again. I want to help the Timberwolves win the championship."
Sun and fun aren't exactly selling points here in the Twin Cities, but life in Minnesota for Szczerbiak isn't all bad. Sure, he's had a few celebrated run-ins with Kevin Garnett, the NBA's reigning MVP. But he's playing for a team that reached the Western Conference Finals last year and is regarded as one of the favorites to win the NBA title this season.
However, training camp has gotten off to an ominous start. Sam Cassell, upset over his contract, which doesn't expire until after next season, staged a one-day holdout. His name already has surfaced in a multi-team deal for Jason Kidd, a Garnett favorite. On Thursday, Latrell Sprewell criticized Wolves management for not offering him a contract extension.
And Szczerbiak, who missed the first 53 games last season with a foot injury and then returned as a reserve, does not see himself as a sixth man.
"I've made it known that I'd like to start," he says.
Even with Shaquille O'Neal out of the conference, the Wolves' front line is suspect. Ervin Johnson is likely to start at center while Michael Olowokandi, Mark Madsen and the troubled Eddie Griffin will serve as backups at center and power forward.
Minnesota has some interest in the Knicks' Kurt Thomas, but the T-Wolves turned down an offer of Thomas and Moochie Norris for Szczerbiak because the Wolves don't want Norris' contract.
"That would have been a great move for us," Sprewell said of Thomas, one of the few former Knicks he still keeps in contact with. "He would be perfect for this team. No question."
The trading deadline is four months away, so there is plenty of time for the sides to renew talks. The 6-7 Szczberbiak is 27 and entering the prime of his career. He looks at New York as an ideal fit. He already has ties to Garden chairman James Dolan, another boating enthusiast from Long Island's affluent North Shore. Szczerbiak's sister, Wendy, and Dolan's niece are volleyball teammates in Cold Spring Harbor.
"I think my sister has even been on a Dolan yacht," Szczerbiak says, laughing. "The Knicks are headed in the right direction. They're making good moves. I think Isiah (Thomas) has them on the trail back. It would be a chance to move my family to one place. My wife loves it here but she really loves it in New York so it would be a good situation."
FLASHES: Latrell Sprewell, who missed the last two game with soreness in his left ankle, did not make the trip to Sioux Falls. . . . Kevin Garnett had 21 points and nine rebounds for the T-Wolves (3-2). Kurt Thomas led the Knicks (2-3) with 16 points.
Originally published on October 23, 2004
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10/23/2004 6:23 AM