From: jte@beefheart.cc.columbia.edu (Jeff Eldredge)
Subject: Re: WORTHY/STARKS Trade?
Reply-To: jte@beefheart.cc.columbia.edu
Organization: Columbia University
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 18:37:46 GMT

In article <1992Jul25.172617.25923@athena.cs.uga.edu>  
milleman@athena.cs.uga.edu (Richard Milleman) writes:
> In article <1992Jul24.023530.3215@scott.skidmore.edu>  
mmilitzo@scott.skidmore.edu (matthew militzok) writes:
> >WFAN in new york, reported that the Knicks and the Lakers are working
> >on a James Worthy/John Starks trade..  any thoughts?
> >sounds like an interesting trade, one that could make the knicks the
> >best team in the NBA next year.
> >  
> 
> 
> There has to be much more to this deal than just Worthy for Starks,  
Straight-up.Starks played well last season, but he's not worth a James  
Worthy. Find out moreand report what you know of a complete trade if it is  
materializing.

This sounds like a totally reasonable trade for both teams, considering  
their current direction (LA looking to the future, NY trying yet again to  
"win it all").  Starks is very talented and can play well on any team.   
Worthy is just past peak performance.  He would bring his ferocious  
offensive talents to a club that could use a little of that.  

That's right, straight up.  The Knicks would be stupid to give up anything  
more.  The Lakers would be taking a mild gamble, but at this point they've  
got nothing to lose....they're not exactly in a position to turn down  
potential gainers.  You say they should trade Worthy for a draft pick or  
two?  Isn't this just as big if not more of a gamble?  Starks is the guy  
who everybody missed in the draft.  The guy who is now excelling in the  
league against the odds.  He's got experience and a proven track record.   
Who wants a position 5-10 draft pick these days when it's only going to  
turn out to be a $3 million dollar a year nightmare?    

Never mind Xavier Mcdaniel.  He might just have to come off the bench (or  
get released).  What do you think they were going to do if they signed  
Harvey Grant?

And for my final question:  With all due respect for Dave Checketts'  
obvious abilities to wheel and deal, Pat Riley's immense talents as a  
coach, and Patrick Ewing's infinite patience, when are the Knicks going to  
get off of this ridiculous track of "We're gonna win it next year.   
Really.  We're gonna win it all?"  They have been trying to win it big  
with Patrick for years and the groundwork has long ago been laid for this  
to fail (crappy trades, injuries, total mishandling of Mark Jackson).   
When are the Knicks going to build a team for the future?  What good is  
Greg Anthony or Hubert Davis if you don't stop experimenting and start  
sculpting?  Signing Harvey Grant would have been one hell of a coup.  That  
would have been great.  Trading Starks for Worthy makes less sense, though  
it's not totally merit-less.  But now why the hell are they even  
considering (or conversely, not denying) any interest in Magic Johnson?   
Yet another psychological blow to Mark Jackson, who might already be  
immune to this kind of crap, but nevertheless has shown his commitment to  
be a fighter.  

Jeff Eldredge

The New Jersey Nets -- Metro New York's most exciting basketball team!