<u>Taken From Philly.com</u> We know everything we need to know already. We know that Gary Payton will become a Laker as of Wednesday, and with him, so will Karl Malone. We know that the defending world champion Spurs will likely acquire Jason Kidd. We know that Alonzo Mourning will join Kidd in San Antonio, or head to Dallas, if he wants a shot at a ring, and that Juwan Howard obviously doesn't value the importance of championship hardware if, indeed, he plans on heading to Minnesota. What we're clueless about is exactly what the 76ers are doing these days. But even in our bewilderment, intrigue is lacking. That's what happens when no marquee free agents appear eager to come play for you. So, a team in need of some firepower must be content to remain unarmed. Don't bother blaming the Sixers, though. Not unless you're willing to blame them for emulating the entire Eastern Conference. While the Lakers and Spurs are talking about Payton and Kidd, the Orlando Magic are discussing Speedy Claxton and Kevin Ollie. The Washington Wizards are in need of a point guard and are looking at Kenny Anderson, as are numerous other teams. Toronto is making a big deal about drafting Georgia Tech's Chris Bosh, while praying Vince Carter becomes healthy. The Miami Heat would rather shop in flea markets than pay a kidney-ailed Mourning exorbitant long-term dollars. Then, of course, there are the Sixers. There have been unsubstantiated rumors about a trade involving Eric Snow to Houston for Rockets forward Eddie Griffin. There has been talk about a trade involving Keith Van Horn for Boston's Antoine Walker. There is Derrick Coleman, who is looking for more than the one-year deal the Sixers are willing to give him. There's Andrew DeClercq, a free agent out of Orlando whom the Sixers have inquired about. Nothing spectacular. Nothing juicy. Then again, it's the East, rooted in runner-up status. By the looks of things, nothing is about to change in the near future. "Honestly, at this time of year there's a lot of talk," Sixers president and general manager Billy King said yesterday. "I look at it as guys trying to make the best decisions based on either winning a championship at the end of their careers, or economics. "West vs. East? I think the bottom line is that guys look at the best decision that's best for them. I don't think guys intentionally make decisions that they're going to go out West." Sounds good. Except to a city devoid of a champion for more than two decades. Except to a conference that so flagrantly pales in comparison, people stop watching the NBA playoffs once the Western Conference finals are over. Of the 20 top free agents on the market, one (Jason Terry) will likely stay in Atlanta while another (Richard Hamilton) will remain in Detroit, solely because they are restricted free agents, and the Hawks and the Pistons possess the right to match whatever offers they receive. The disparity between the East and West is so conspicuous, so annoying, it's enough to make anyone wonder what teams in the East are doing. They're all in the same league. They all have the mid-level salary-cap exception, scheduled to be $4.8 million this season. Shove aside New Jersey and Indiana, teams that aspire to use huge dollars on Kidd and Jermaine O'Neal, respectively. After those efforts, the only legitimate excuse for the East's inability to acquire talent is a change in the times. Malone may go to the Lakers for the $1.4 million veteran minimum salary. Howard actually thinks he can help Kevin Garnett win a ring, although both of them combined are barely the size of one of Shaquille O'Neal's thighs. Payton dreamed about hoisting a championship trophy and never saw a team in the East in his fantasy. Kidd envisioned it, but evidently has tired of redundant disappointments. Even with the allure of Allen Iverson, even in a city starving for a winner - that supports achievers like few others - there's not enough to whet our appetites. Re-signing Coleman. Picking up DeClercq. Acquiring Walker, Elton Brand, or any mid-level star just isn't good enough to escape one disturbing reality. No matter what the Sixers, the Pacers, the Nets or anyone else in the East does, it's all for second place. "No!" King said, vehemently disagreeing. "I think everybody thought the Lakers were going to dominate last season. Then with the way Dallas started out, everybody thought they were going to run away with the title. "I think if you're ever going to give the championship away based on paper, then you might as well get out of the business. I go back to the days of Villanova vs. Georgetown. Who thought Villanova was going to win that game?" King... ever the salesman, making that pitch. If only the East had something viable to sell, his case would have been stronger.
