OT: Remember Shareef Abdur-Rahim?

Well 3 years and 150 or so games later, SAR is contemplating retirement. Thorn again proving to be one of the top GM's in the game, going against the grain, alienating some agents, yet at the end of the day.....IN ROD WE TRUST


http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/1085912.html

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>LAS VEGAS – Quite a few processes are going on here for Shareef Abdur-Rahim. And none are all that pleasant.

The Kings forward, who underwent his second arthroscopic surgery in six months on his right knee in early December, knows this could be the twilight of his career. It has been a process to cite "old age" as a factor when you're 31, especially for a 12-year veteran who spent most of his career as one of the league's steadiest contributors. It has been a process returning to practice at all, but he did for the first time Sunday, joining the Kings' summer league team at UNLV.

The process, however arduous, is not yet over.

"(Sunday) was the most I've done (since the second surgery)," Abdur-Rahim said by phone. "I've been on the court doing a lot of drills running and stuff three times a week. I try to do something five times a week. It's hit and miss sometimes, I won't lie."

Because he knows there's no reason to.

"I think at the end of the day with something like this, it'll make the decision for you," he said. "Anyone's body is only going to let you do what it's going to let you do. That's the thing. I haven't really mentally started adjusting to (the notion of retirement) and thinking like that. I guess my body will let me know."

And the Kings, too, of course. Three years after the Kings signed him to a five-year, $29.3 million deal, Abdur-Rahim feels obliged to give more than he has. That sentiment fits his reputation as a quality character who has won over so many within the Kings organization and the league at large. And therein lies the harsh irony.

The best outcome for the Kings would be for Abdur-Rahim to retire, as his contract (two years and $12.8 million) is insured. Although Abdur-Rahim still would be paid in full, the Kings would see his money come off a salary cap figure that is pushing the luxury tax threshold of $71.15 million.

Given the Kings' situation – a youth movement and rebuilding – Abdur-Rahim might not have been a major part of their plans even with a full recovery. A roster that was forward-heavy with Abdur-Rahim and Kenny Thomas now is tipping the scales at that position. There's starter Mikki Moore, draft pick Jason Thompson and the possibility second-round pick Patrick Ewing Jr. could make the team.

Above all, there's Abdur-Rahim's pride.

"The most frustrating thing is that it's like, What exactly did I do to get to this point other than run up and down the court the last 20 years of my life?" he said.

" … My thing is to gear in and try to give myself the best possible opportunity to be healthy and get back on the court and do what I love doing and contribute to the team."

Abdur-Rahim said his right knee's future is uncertain.

"For the most part, it's been steady," he said. "I was able to get out there and practice with them and go up and down," he said. "It's just to keep working and see how things progress and how the knee responds to the workload that's expected of us."

About the writer:

* Read Sam Amick's Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.</div>

 

Good job Rod?

 

. . . someone should reference the threads from a few years ago when this went down, and seee all the anger that was directed at Rod.

 

I want the numbers for Rod's doctors. The man saw Kittles, Harris, Rahim and Traylor as guys with health concerns.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Jul 16 2008, 11:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I want the numbers for Rod's doctors. The man saw Kittles, Harris, Rahim and Traylor as guys with health concerns.</div>


We used Dr Alcheck (sp?) for my wife shoulder surgery, one of there doctors. And they dont come any better.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Jul 16 2008, 11:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I want the numbers for Rod's doctors. The man saw Kittles, Harris, Rahim and Traylor as guys with health concerns.</div>

No kidding. That's one member of the organization they should keep no matter what.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Jul 16 2008, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>. . . someone should reference the threads from a few years ago when this went down, and seee all the anger that was directed at Rod.</div>

So you mean, they people in charge of a team might know a little bit more then fans posting on a message board?

Good thing I was sitting down while I read that one.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Jul 16 2008, 12:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I want the numbers for Rod's doctors. The man saw Kittles, Harris, Rahim and Traylor as guys with health concerns.</div>


what bout kmart not being worth 90 million?!?!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (danxcr @ Jul 16 2008, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Jul 16 2008, 12:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I want the numbers for Rod's doctors. The man saw Kittles, Harris, Rahim and Traylor as guys with health concerns.</div>

what bout kmart not being worth 90 million?!?!
</div>
That wasn't necessarily a medical issue. Yes, he got injured, but I don't think a doctor told Rod Kenyon's other knee would go.

Plus Rod has said he would have done that had the new ownership group not put the clamps down.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Jul 16 2008, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (danxcr @ Jul 16 2008, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Jul 16 2008, 12:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I want the numbers for Rod's doctors. The man saw Kittles, Harris, Rahim and Traylor as guys with health concerns.</div>

what bout kmart not being worth 90 million?!?!
</div>
That wasn't necessarily a medical issue. Yes, he got injured, but I don't think a doctor told Rod Kenyon's other knee would go.

Plus Rod has said he would have done that had the new ownership group not put the clamps down.
</div>

This is why I personally believe that it is foolish to put all your eggs in one basket and spend all that money on a single player. The risk is uncontrollable. As a fan, of course I'd prefer to have a superstar, but as a GM, I think I'd prefer to sign four players at $10 million each.

 

Rod deserves a lot of credit here...I for one was upset when the Nets dropped out of the SAR signing but luckily Nets doctors came through.

 

SAR failing his physical was my happiest Nets moment that summer.

 

if this is true then wow . . . No offense but that was one crappy career

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Jul 16 2008, 05:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (danxcr @ Jul 16 2008, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Jul 16 2008, 12:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I want the numbers for Rod's doctors. The man saw Kittles, Harris, Rahim and Traylor as guys with health concerns.</div>

what bout kmart not being worth 90 million?!?!
</div>
That wasn't necessarily a medical issue. Yes, he got injured, but I don't think a doctor told Rod Kenyon's other knee would go.

Plus Rod has said he would have done that had the new ownership group not put the clamps down.
</div>


well rod also knew kenyon wasnt worth 90 million i love kmart but why didnt take the deal like jefferson? then we coulda kept em both... sigh* MEMORIES

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Super John @ Jul 16 2008, 05:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Rod deserves a lot of credit here...I for one was upset when the Nets dropped out of the SAR signing but luckily Nets doctors came through.</div>
I was really dissapointed too because I felt like SAR would have been the missing piece and he was coming for a discount at the time. We have good doctors I guess. I remeber that summer we also wanted Swift. good thing he signed with another team before the SAR thing fell through.

 

KMart had missed 15 games the year before because of knee problems, specifically tendinitis. There have been reports that the Nets knew he was "damaged goods", specifically Sean Deveney of The Sporting News.

As for Traylor, his heart condition was picked up because at the time not every NBA team did echo-cardiograms. Nets did.

Interesting to note that the Nets' orthopedist was in the minority about whether his knee could hold up over the course of a six year deal. The Kings' orthopedist had not problem. Altchek believed the scar tissue build-up from knee surgery he had on his knee at age 16 would worsen his condition.

Finally, if SAR had accepted the Nets offer--three years guaranteed, with the remainder guaranteed if he played a certain number of minutes in each succeeding year, the Nets would have been screwed. Last year was the third year of the deal.

As for Thorn and his doctors...

http://www.netsdaily.com/blog/?p=441

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MaxaMillion711 @ Jul 16 2008, 06:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>if this is true then wow . . . No offense but that was one crappy career</div>
career averages of 18 and 8, what a bum!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Jul 16 2008, 04:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Jul 16 2008, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (danxcr @ Jul 16 2008, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Jul 16 2008, 12:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I want the numbers for Rod's doctors. The man saw Kittles, Harris, Rahim and Traylor as guys with health concerns.</div>

what bout kmart not being worth 90 million?!?!
</div>
That wasn't necessarily a medical issue. Yes, he got injured, but I don't think a doctor told Rod Kenyon's other knee would go.

Plus Rod has said he would have done that had the new ownership group not put the clamps down.
</div>

This is why I personally believe that it is foolish to put all your eggs in one basket and spend all that money on a single player. The risk is uncontrollable. As a fan, of course I'd prefer to have a superstar, but as a GM, I think I'd prefer to sign four players at $10 million each.
</div>

but then you go an look at the past ohhh 20 NBA champions.. besides the Pistons, they all had dominante superstar's on the team.
You don't win with just good chemistry and 4 or 5 solid and good players, you need an alpha dog to win it all.

In Fact besides the Pistons win this decade, you have to go back to the 79 Seattle Supersonics title to find a Champion that didn't have a great player on the team

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Celtic Fan @ Jul 17 2008, 08:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Jul 16 2008, 04:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Jul 16 2008, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (danxcr @ Jul 16 2008, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Jul 16 2008, 12:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I want the numbers for Rod's doctors. The man saw Kittles, Harris, Rahim and Traylor as guys with health concerns.</div>

what bout kmart not being worth 90 million?!?!
</div>
That wasn't necessarily a medical issue. Yes, he got injured, but I don't think a doctor told Rod Kenyon's other knee would go.

Plus Rod has said he would have done that had the new ownership group not put the clamps down.
</div>

This is why I personally believe that it is foolish to put all your eggs in one basket and spend all that money on a single player. The risk is uncontrollable. As a fan, of course I'd prefer to have a superstar, but as a GM, I think I'd prefer to sign four players at $10 million each.
</div>

but then you go an look at the past ohhh 20 NBA champions.. besides the Pistons, they all had dominante superstar's on the team.
You don't win with just good chemistry and 4 or 5 solid and good players, you need an alpha dog to win it all.

In Fact besides the Pistons win this decade, you have to go back to the 79 Seattle Supersonics title to find a Champion that didn't have a great player on the team
</div>


Many teams get to the Finals without an alpha dog, but youre correct. To win it all, you need someone special. The problem with the NBA is that it has the least parity of any major sport. Part of it is the small teams--5 rather than 9 or 11 (or 22) but part of it has to do with the rules and CBA. Until the league adjusts its rule and collective bargaining agreeement, that is going to be the case.