One of the beautiful things of living near NYC is that you can get up at anytime and go hang. I am off tomorrow so my friend and I decided to go to a small jazz club on 71st and Amsterdam in NYC. Guess who ended up sitting right next to us? NBA guru Mitch Lawrence! I recognized him right away since he is always on local TV. In anycase, I thought this would be the perfect time to pump some info from him that would be good for us fans here at the .net so I introduced myself and my friend Patrick and after schmoozing and using my endless charm, he invited us over to sit with him and his hoe...err girlfriend. In anycase, here is the info that I remember from the conversation. ON THE ROCKETS Thinks that they are rebuilding the right way. But not to be too spoiled since we just got over Dream and that Chicago has the same problem with its fans thinking that winning comes easy. He thinks that Rudy T is a great coach who is way too loyal to Olajuwon. He told me that if they can get big, outside shooting centers to pull Shaq away from the basket, we can contend in 3 years. He also thinks Francis will be the second coming of Isaiah. He didn't like the Anderson deal at first but thinks that after seeing him play as a starter, he likes what he sees. He did say that we might be lottery for the next two years but that the excitement of Francis will keep our minds off how bad we are but hope that Francis doesn't get pissed and bolts on the team. He agreed on the Mobley signing. He says we should try and get better quickly because he thinks there is a possibility that Francis could leave for an east coast team after his contract expires. Most likely...Philadelphia to replace Iverson. ON THE LAKERS He thinks they are going to lose to the Spurs if the Spurs get a swingman to replace Elliot. He did say that he sees Shaq and Kobe being one of the greatest tandems of all time easily winning at least 3 or 4 championships. ON THE BLAZERS They will contend but with no one to stop Shaq or keep him busy, they will lose again next year. Of course, I brought up Pippen and he said that why am I surprised about his attitude. He says that Kemp will probably go there if they can work something out. They think that if he goes to a winning atmosphere, they can get the Kemp from 1996 back. Also, the asst.GM(I think that is what he said) was with Kemp in Seattle and they are close. He is pulling for the trade to happen and thinks that Kemp will change once in Portland. ON THE BULLS He said that we shouldn't expect the Bulls contending ANYTIME SOON. Hill told him personally that there is no way that he was going to Chicago to try and fill MJ's shoes. And many other free-agents feel that they are going to get pressured into producing right away and that Krause is really not the reason why players are staying away...although it does have something to do with it. But, he said that as long as people have MJ on their mind when they think Chicago, alot of players will avoid the city. He also says that Fizer most likely won't be traded. ON ORLANDO He said that Doc Rivers was in absolute shock that Duncan did not sign there. The point of Orlando clearing all the space was to land Duncan. Hill and McGrady will make them better, but they are not contenders. He compared it to when Boston got a bad bounce in the lottery and the Spurs lucked out and got Duncan. He thinks the Magic failed this year. ON EWING BEING TRADED He doesn't see it. But one thing that could be done is that Ewing could resign for a substantial decrease in salary. The problem is that Ewing still thinks he is the best center in the Eastern Conference and he is not going to take a pay cut. But he won't be traded this year. ON CHRIS WEBBER He says Webber is unhappy in Sacramento. He says that at 9pm, he has nothing to do. Don't be surprised if he ends up in New York next year in a sign and trade with Allan Houston being one of the key players in the trade. He and Sprewell are best friends. Also, he could go to Chicago since he is from Michigan and has family in Chicago, Indiana and Michigan so he won't be that far away. RICE He thinks that he will end up in Charlotte. The Hornets really want him bad. He says Rice HATES Jackson and that he looked lost all year in the triangle. He said you can almost bank on Rice being in Charlotte next year. ON THE PACERS They are keeping the team together since they are getting a rookie coach. But, he thinks that even if they brought everyone back, they are still the 5th best team in the NBA. And what is the point of doing that if they are going to lose to the west anyway. He thought they might retool, but they rather keep the veteran team together to help out Thomas who is probably going to be Bird II and coach 4 years or so. Thomas wants to be the head of something in the league and will most likely leave for a presidents job or ownership of some team. Finally on the CLIPPERS How bad can it get? Everyone they want, doesn't want them. He feels bad for Odom who really wants to stay but will definitely leave after his contract expires. Miles will leave. What he suggest is that they move the team or bring in someone like the Nets brought in(Rod Thorn) to establish credibility because as we all know, the don't have any whatsoever. Ok, thats all I remember. When I wake up tomorrow, I will remember even less so I hope I did the man justice. We had a nice 2.5 hour conversation tonight over some great music and drinks. We swapped phone numbers since the Daily News is one of our clients. Could it be that I finally have a source? Nah, I won't abuse it. But, I did pay for his drinks so maybe that would be a good way to go? Maybe? Thanks for reading. Enjoy your day! Nite Nite. ------------------ I Want To Thank God For Making Me A Rocketfan
Very good reading... thank you for buying him drinks. heehhe I really hope he is right about francis becoming the next isiah, that would be great, then in about twenty years he can go and coach the wizards. ------------------ "When the mind is thinking, it is talking to itself." .... Plato
Leave Francis alone. Even after he retires he is going to coach the Rockets. Well thanks for the info Almu. I just hope he is wrong about us being in lottery for two more years, and also about Shaq and Kobe winning atleat three or four championships. ------------------ Fun Police Says: 1. Posting in appropriate forums Sucks! 2. Grammar and sentence structure are not FUN! 3. Duplicate threads are really FUN! 4. Conduct yourself in a FUN way! The Fun Police are Watching. Eat MANGOES & Have FUN or be Assimilated.
I guess what he means by saying that the Lakers will win for 3 or 4 more years is that he expects the Spurs NOT to get a swingman to replace Elliot.... ------------------
Great post Almu! I am telling you, how good is this site! I am here on the other side of the world and I get to hear a b-ball conversaton between a guy I 'know' and a basketball writer I have read for years...in a little Jazz bar in NY...just sensational! It goes without saying...this site Rocks! ------------------
mitch lawrence must have already been drunk when your conversation started. spurs arent going to iwn anything unless that swingman is kobe bryant. and i doubt we will be in the lottery 2 years down the road. and if steve is leaving its to dc not philadelphia. ------------------ johnny "red" kerr:i'm glad the bulls did'nt draft steve francis. dan roan: why!!!!! johnny red kerr:because he would forever be compared to michael jordan.
can i just say...Mitch Lawrence is no better than Peter Vescey. Why we elevate these guys to "guru" status is why bad rumor and speculation reign. The Internet needs more animation, not pontification!! Mitch is the devil.
If thats true then what is Peter Vescey? ------------------ Houston Rockets Forever!! In Rudy We Trust
"He also thinks Francis will be the second coming of Isaiah. In what way? Isiah never had Francis' hops. I would like to see Francis develop a stronger defensive game...can you imagine what he could create with more steals? Old School ------------------ Just Build It!
C'mon partner. No one can be as remotely bad as Peter Vescey. Lawrence is alright. The only one I like and respect is Jack Ramsey. He tries not to be bias, and usually has good insights on game by game strategy, and knows what a team needs to do in the long term. ------------------ Fun Police Says: 1. Posting in appropriate forums Sucks! 2. Grammar and sentence structure are not FUN! 3. Duplicate threads are really FUN! 4. Conduct yourself in a FUN way! The Fun Police are Watching. Eat MANGOES & Have FUN or be Assimilated.
Francis won't leave the Rockets because his boy Cuttino could had left him but he stayed so I doubt Francis will leave him.
Just woke up. I remember something else. I didn't pay for his drinks. We split the tab. As for him being drunk, I sincerely doubt it since he had to work today and none of us were drunk. I drove home. About Francis. Isn't DC close to Philadelphia. I think it is. Whats 40 miles for a multi-millionaire? And if you think that just because Cuttino stayed Francis won't leave, think again. McGrady left Carter and that is his BLOOD. Cuttino and Francis are just friends. If the Rockets continue to suck, you think he'll stay? I don't. And him being compared to Isaiah in the way he breaks defenses down. Everyone has hops in the NBA. Why is that so important? Steve gets to the hoop like Isaiah, has handle like Isaiah and is small like Isaiah. Hops don't make a player. Give Mitch a break. Has he done anything remotely close to what Aldridge did with his "Damon is on his way to Houston" garbage or just recently when he wrote that Cuttino is ready to go back to Houston when Cuttino said that he hadn't made up his mind? It was just a conversation anyways. Its not set in stone. I do think the Spurs can beat the Lakers with a healthy Robinson. Just watch and see. ------------------ I Want To Thank God For Making Me A Rocketfan [This message has been edited by Almu (edited August 03, 2000).]
Thanks ALMU for sharing. This sight is AWESOME !! I used to get up in the morning and could not wait to read the Houston Chronicle or Post and see what was happening in sports. Now with the internet and quality sites like this, I am quite certain that Reporters come here to see what is happening. The world is changing, and I LOVE IT !! Thanks ALMU DaDakota ------------------
Now if only we could find that spinach dude to learn more about the trade exception... Thanks Almu ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas.
When you think about it, Aldridge was right about the whole Cuttino Mobley thing. ------------------ Jackie Treehorn treats objects like women!
Enough with this hoops crap. The real question is: Almu, what's the name of the jazz club? My company's sending me to NYC later this month, and our office is about three blocks away from the corner you mentioned. Thanks! ------------------
Was Mitch with LHutz's ex, the ho? Great post Almu!!! ------------------ "Your not a real member of CC.net unless you have 1000 posts"
Thanks for the post! Dr: Lawrence didn't predict that the Lakers would win next year... just that Shaq and Kobe would win 3 or 4 more titles. I'd say that have at least anohter 7 years of Shaq playing dominantly (barring injuries). I really don't see San Antonio beating LA. Shaq is still quite a bit better than Duncan, and Kobe is *much* better than Robinson. ------------------ The lottery sucks. Playoffs 2001.
"I really don't see San Antonio beating LA. Shaq is still quite a bit better than Duncan, and Kobe is *much* better than Robinson." Shaq is not better than Duncan (btw, "still" implies that he's always been better than TD, which is totally false). Shaq, the supposed "MVP" of the league, has to be taken out of close games because his coach is afraid he'll lose the game for his team because of his horrid free throw shooting. I think that bears repeating: the MVP of the league has to be taken OUT of close games, because his coach is afraid he'll lose the game for his team. I'm not sure people appreciate just how incredible that is. Here's a guy who's supposed to be the most valuable player in the league, yet when it matters most, he can't be in the game! How messed up is that? The last time Shaq tried to handle Duncan and Robinson, he got swept. Duncan is a Laker-killer, pure and simple. His game goes through the roof in the playoffs. I don't know if I'd say Bryant is better than Robinson either.
