[Chron] Brother Could Sway Deal http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/5565338.html By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Now that he is no longer a player, Jon Barry did not know he could be so popular. When he arrives at Toyota Center tonight, the Rockets might have serfs carry him to his seat, bring cool beverages and fan him with palm leaves if he so desires. His brother, Brent Barry, will become a free agent Tuesday, having been put on waivers by the SuperSonics after his trade to Seattle on Thursday. The Rockets, Suns, Mavericks, Spurs and Celtics are chasing Brent, working him like a 7-2 McDonald's All-American choosing between teams in the Final Four. But along with the last-minute call that sent Jon Barry to Houston to do tonight's game for ESPN, Jon's phone has been ringing more than general managers' on the night before the trade deadline, with the Rockets especially reaching out to their former guard with all kinds of ties to the Rockets coaching staff. "I'm going to become a player agent for all the calls I'm getting," Jon said. "Wherever he goes, I'm getting a cut. I was just on the phone with him. He's mulling his options. It's a hard decision to make. He knows how much Houston wants him. They've shown great interest, obviously. He is bouncing teams off me. He has a couple days. He's mulling it over." The Rockets have made their appeal to Jon Barry because of his good feelings about the Rockets organization after his brief stay in Houston and for coach Rick Adelman after his successful run under Adelman with the Kings. They have spoken to Brent several times, too. But Brent calls Jon for his opinion, so the Rockets have made sure to pitch the idea of Brent following Jon and their father Rick in the family tradition of ending their careers in Houston. "Rick (Adelman) was the first coach that really gave me an opportunity in the league," Jon Barry said. "I think the world of Rick. He's a tremendous coach with a hell of a system. He's a great coach, as people in Houston did not think a few months ago. It would be a good system for Brent and playing with Yao (Ming) and T-Mac (Tracy McGrady) is tremendous. "What makes it a very tough decision is the parity in the West. Everybody's got a shot. It makes it that much more difficult. He wants to win. All these teams have a chance. He appreciates that people want him. He feels like he's back in college on a recruiting tour, except this time, you can pay and not get in trouble." In the NBA, even brothers with influence can be greased, as Jon discovered. "I've become a Rockets recruiter," Jon Barry said. "(Rockets president) Tad Brown said I'm a lifetime Lexus Lounge member if I can get him. It's a tough situation for him. He feels indebted to San Antonio, where he won a couple titles, had a lot years there. "He's bouncing stuff off me. It comes down to where he feels really wanted and will play a pivotal role. His role was not that huge in San Antonio. He wants a pivotal role on a team with a chance to do something special. The teams — Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston — are four of the best." Still, if Jon Barry's Diet Coke is not properly chilled tonight, heads will roll. Ignoring rules not right When the deal to send Jason Kidd was pending, with the inclusion of semi-retired Keith Van Horn the key to putting it together, Joel Litvin, president of League & Basketball Operations, said the NBA trade rules require that players traded intend to do something other than laugh at their windfall. "The standard in one of these deals is whether the player intends to resume his career," Litvin said. "A 60-year-old player, you would say no." But Van Horn has shown no signs of intending to resume his career with the Nets, or to get sweaty with any regularity. When the Nets go on a 10-day road trip next month, he will pass. When they play the rest of the season, he will watch. Maybe. The Nets have not bothered to fake it, saying Van Horn is in New Jersey, but they have no idea if he will get in shape to play. He will be paid $4.3 million for eight weeks on the roster and his willingness to have his name included in the trade. The league let the Nets and Mavericks get away with it this time. But so far, Van Horn seems as likely to play as any of the 60-year-olds Litvin said would not have been approved. The league needs to shut down this silly loophole, or let everyone else ignore the trade rules, too. Until then, no one should announce his retirement. Time's running out While the Rockets, Suns, Celtics and Spurs begin their pursuit of Brent Barry, another veteran guard, Sam Cassell, seems to be pining for his freedom and a chance to similarly be courted by contenders. The Clippers returned to their traditional dysfunction, letting the trade deadline pass without a move, with Cassell's career down to its stretch run. "I can't make it happen," Cassell said. "That's up to management. It ain't in my control. If it was my control, it would be something else, but it's not in my control. It's in the Clippers' control. It's my 15th year and it hasn't gone the way I've wanted it to as a team. When you look around, we've been injury-depleted the whole year." He would not say if he wants a buyout, but he does. "That would be something I would have to talk to (agent) David Falk about," he said. Looking to move No one has been clearer about his desire to move than Warriors guard/forward Mickael Pietrus, who considers himself better than his role and does not appreciate being used for his ability to do dirty work. Pietrus has gotten playing time this month, but usually at power forward when Don Nelson gets into his crazy matchup mode. "I definitely want to be traded to another team that I can help," Pietrus said. "I think that it was good to play (power forward and center), but it's not really my primary spot. It's not where I'm so efficient. So I want to move on." Taking hard line The Nuggets refused to blink on the Kings' demand of Linus Kleiza in any deal for Ron Artest. Players usually prefer the statement of confidence that can come from standing pat at the trade deadline, but the Nuggets had coveted a move for a star to match the Lakers', Suns' and Mavericks' blockbusters. When Carmelo Anthony was asked about the Nuggets' hard line, he barely hid his disappointment while blowing by and offering only, "I have nothing to say right now." Remember when ... In the days after the deal to send Jason Kidd was complete, Nets GM Rod Thorn finally admitted what had become obvious for months, and made the deal necessary for the Nets. He said Kidd's "heart" had not been in it since "sometime in December." That brought a quick question of "Early December?" It was on Dec. 5 that Kidd sat out with a "migraine headache" that was widely considered merely a protest that he did not get a contract extension, a charge Kidd denied. (Of course Kidd later denied he wanted to be traded a day before he announced he wanted to be traded.) Thorn, grinned, but left it at "Sometime in December." Getting acquainted Dallas coach Avery Johnson knew the question was coming. With Jason Kidd replacing Devin Harris as his point guard, Johnson knew his hard, micromanaging style with Harris might not be quite right for a sure Hall of Famer with among the best feel for the position. "I was wondering how long it was going to take you guys to ask me that," Johnson said. "I've never worked with Jason Kidd, so we have to find out what works well for our relationship. I think within the team concept, the point guard and the coach must have a relationship. "I don't think I'm going to sit down the whole game. I think I'm going to have to help him get through this period. But I don't think I'll be screaming at him every play telling him what to do, either. The reason we got him is because he knows what to do." Reason to worry After the Knicks were blown off the floor by the Sixers last week, Isiah Thomas suggested" "Maybe guys' minds were elsewhere with the trade deadline coming up." They were worried, apparently, that they would not be traded. None were. The Knicks are stuck with Zach Randolph and the three years for $48 million left on his contract, Eddy Curry and the three years, $31 million on his, Stephon Marbury and the $21.9 million and Jerome James and the two years, $12.8 million left on his. But some might contribute more than Keith Van Horn if they can get over the disappointment of still being Knicks.
barry would be a great addition - could you imagine having barry and novak in at the same time? T-mac would find a highway to the basket every time.
Most people have been talking about how Brent Barry would be a great addition because of his ability to deliver under pressure, his perimeter shooting, and his spark coming off the bench. All three are very true, but I think more importantly we get a veteran in the locker room and a player with championship experience. Something we didn't have before.
Sam Cassel or Brent Barry? How great would it be if Sam, the man who helped Houston win its first two titles, comes back 10+ years later and helps the current Rockets team win another title?
i know what will have a big impact on barry coming here, us. Since i was downgraded to a rookie i cant start threads but if we can get the rowdies to start a "we want Barry chant" and get it to carry over that would just about do it!! He would have to come !! Someone start that thread!! Go Rowdies!
i know what will have a big impact on barry coming here, us. Since i was downgraded to a rookie i cant start threads but if we can get the rowdies to start a "we want Barry chant" and get it to carry over that would just about do it!! He would have to come !! Someone start that thread!! Go Rowdies!
or... How great would it be if Brent, the man who had a father and a brother retire in Houston, that helped alot at their stint with us, fulfill the barry destiny.? serouslly, after we got bobby jackson, i don't think we should have 5 point guards... steve francis, whether people like it or not, can be huge for our sucess next season.
I think this needs to be the move. In phoenix he will not get alot of time behind hill, barbosa, bell and diaw. I feel he gets the most playing time here in houston. He can swallow all of Luther Head's minutes and can even play point, I would think having him and Bobby Jackson coming off the bench will really give us some firepower we havn't had in a while at least in terms of jumpshot production and ball handling. I would love to see the Barry tradition of coming to Houston to end the career. plus of all the teams left we are the closet to an ocean and i heard he is a surfer.
I think he meant a vet who actually won a ring. Although, Deke made it to the finals, he didn't win. Unless I'm forgetting a year in Dikembe's LONG existence in the NBA, he hasn't won a ring. He has, however, had a career noteworthy of great defense and cinderella/underdog success.
Interesting. There were some reports that Brent already made a decision and was just waiting until Tuesday. But this report still suggests it's open. I think he WANTS to play here but of the four teams he's looking at, on paper Houston looks least likely. If I'm him, I gotta take a hard look at the Suns. Spurs are done. I don't see it happening for them this year ...but they'll go down fighting. I don't see the Mavs blending in a new point guard in time ...and Dirk is still soft. Suns look tough ...but, IMO, I don't think they have it defensively ...but Brent could be a big part of their team and they obviously will be a tough matchup for anybody.
Happy to see the Rockets going all out for Brent Barry! I think he could be a huge help for the Roxs playoff run.
People keep on talking "Championship Experience" as why Barry is wanted. Bull****. Mike James has "Championship Experience," too, and he sucks. The reason why Barry is wanted? His per minute production is extremely good. Over the last half-season and the previous season, his PER has been above 18. Very nice for a role player. The guy can flat out play.
