smack. Consider it dealt out.
Peter Vescey: New York Post Online
As for TNT's information officer, David Aldridge, interesting how little breaking news he has to offer these days left to his own devises; he was so much better equipped when adhering to ESPN policy of stealing everyone else's report and confirming it as if just learned . . . exclusively.
If Aldridge hadn't confiscated so much of my material over the years, I'd almost feel sorry for him. Again, last Thursday following the movement of 35 players within 24 hours the best “fresh” stuff he could provide from beyond the screens was a purported conversation between the Rockets and Timberwolves involving Juwan Howard for Sam Cassell, “but Houston backed off a little.”
Backed off a little? What in the name of Slim Fat Joe (in case you haven't caught him live lately) does that mean? Earth to Aldridge: For future reference, there's no fractionalization to a deal, it's either impregnated or it's not. And, please, do your audience a favor, find something more compelling to report from the sidelines (during the All-Star Game) than “Ray Allen is a free agent after the season, and hasn't been able to come to an agreement with Seattle yet.”
Wow! Had Aldridge done some homework he might've discovered the Sonics and Allen (30 on July 20) are snagged on a fifth guaranteed season.
It's as simple and expensive as that. Seattle is offering four years in the gated community of $68M, the same elite neighborhood Rasheed Wallace (10 months older) is dwelling since re-signing last summer with the Pistons. Allen, currently earning $14.625M, wants another $20M or so.
