<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Here's what I know about a notoriously selfish Clipper named Corey Maggette: He wouldn't have turned the Spurs' loss in Chicago into a win. If he were traded here, he would become the only Spur to worry about or even use the word "touches." His basketball IQ would place him in remedial classes. And the Spurs would be lucky to get him. Here's what I know about the possibility of a trade for Maggette going through: After Monday, the odds went up. The Clippers have been trying to trade him for a year. A deal is still not likely with the Spurs, mostly because the Clippers might find more in return for Maggette elsewhere. They see better options with Golden State, for example, where Mike Dunleavy continues to disappoint. Monday played into this trade scenario, too, after Dunleavy ended with 18 points and 13 rebounds in a Warriors victory over, coincidentally, the Clippers. Either Don Nelson likes how Dunleavy responded to a recent scolding and wants to keep him, or Nelson hopes such a performance will help increase Dunleavy's trade value. The Clippers' coach is certainly open to a deal. He happens to be Dunleavy's father, and daddy Dunleavy is also the one who has had issues with Maggette. One issue was repeated Monday. Maggette, in that same game, was Dunleavy's equal statistically. But the Clippers lost, and it's a pattern. The Clippers were at their best last season when Maggette was injured. The Spurs' staff has weighed this aspect, as well as others. Maggette is not a great 3-point shooter ? though he couldn't have done worse than the Spurs on Monday ? and he's more reactionary than smart. "He's a headless horseman as a player," said one in Los Angeles. "He will run into charges, he will shoot when someone else is open. And the Clippers don't trust him on defense." Sound like a Gregg Popovich kind of player? Stephen Jackson had a sounder foundation than Maggette, which is why the Spurs still debate among themselves whether they would do this deal if offered. Today, they have a peaceful locker room, with a group that knows how to play with each other, and losing Brent Barry and Beno Udrih would change that. But it's also a group that, on various days, looks its age. Monday had that appearance, with the younger Bulls jumping for blocks. Maggette wouldn't have altered the outcome unless he also has a secret ability to inspire Tony Parker. Still, Monday was another loss to another good team ? another sign they don't have enough. Whatever is missing on the Spurs might not be available with a trade. But even as the Spurs see the flaws in Maggette, they see more in him than in others who are available. He can get to the foul line, and he did Monday to shoot nine free throws. He can rebound, and he did Monday with 11. And he has a freakish, athletic body that could keep up with Josh Howard. This is also part of his profile: He's focused, determined, hardworking, ambitious and not a bad guy. That's why the Spurs also wonder if Maggette would respond to Popovich's demands on defense. Glenn Robinson did, after all. "'Selfish' is a scary word," said one in the organization, "but you can also use this quality to your advantage. One thing that made Malik Rose so good, for example, is that he wanted to score. He cut harder, ducked in harder, because he was hungry to get something for himself." </div> Source
