milky_way
08-23-2002, 10:31 PM
By Steve Wyche
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 23, 2002; Page D09
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51103-2002Aug22.html
Bryon Russell and Michael Jordan have been linked since Jordan, then with the Chicago Bulls, made the game-winning jump shot over Utah's Russell in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA finals. Now, in a potential ironic twist, the two could be teammates, or at least members of the same franchise if Jordan, 39, retires.
The Washington Wizards have been in steady talks with Russell's agent about signing the free agent to a multi-year contract, sources with knowledge of the situation said yesterday. Russell, who would fill the Wizards' need for a starting small forward, is believed to be discussing a deal that would pay him a starting salary of $1.4 million -- Washington's league-allotted salary exception.
Dwight Manley, Russell's agent, said Washington is one of a handful of teams he has spoken with regarding Russell. Nothing is imminent with the Wizards, Manley said, but Russell would be a very good fit in Washington.
Russell, 31, would add a much-needed veteran to the Wizards' young front court, which likely will have second-year players Brendan Haywood starting at center and Kwame Brown or Etan Thomas at power forward.
Should Jordan play, he is expected to come off the bench behind Richard Hamilton, who will start at shooting guard, alongside free agent acquisition Larry Hughes.
Russell's nine years of experience also could prove valuable if the Wizards are unable to re-sign veteran free agent forward Popeye Jones, who was a mentor to the team's younger players and a vital cog to the team's stable chemistry. Other than Jordan, Russell also would be the team's most playoff-seasoned player, having competed in 96 postseason games, where his career scoring average (10.8 points) exceeds his career regular season average (9.2).
With Russell, Coach Doug Collins could develop rookie small forward Jared Jeffries more slowly. Second-year pro Bobby Simmons is the only other small forward under contract. Small forward Rod Grizzard, chosen in the second round, remains unsigned.
For most of his career with the Utah Jazz, Russell was a valued defensive stopper who played shooting guard and small forward. He was a solid contributor on offense, showing a decent outside touch and the ability to penetrate to the basket -- something Washington will need badly from one of its front-court players since its offense is so reliant on its guards for scoring.
Russell struggled a bit last season, never regaining his form after suffering a fracture in his pelvis in a Nov. 16 victory over the Wizards while guarding Jordan, of all people.
When Russell checked into that game, Jordan's first words to Russell were, "Miss me?"
Russell started 40 of the 66 games he played in last season, but saw his minutes steadily go to Donyell Marshall and rookie Andrei Kirilenko.
Should Washington sign Russell, it would all but end any possibility of a trade with the New Orleans Hornets for small forward George Lynch. This week, Lynch said he wanted to be traded to Washington because of the Hornets' refusal to re-open talks on a contract extension. The Wizards and Hornets had discussed a deal but talks have cooled.
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 23, 2002; Page D09
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51103-2002Aug22.html
Bryon Russell and Michael Jordan have been linked since Jordan, then with the Chicago Bulls, made the game-winning jump shot over Utah's Russell in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA finals. Now, in a potential ironic twist, the two could be teammates, or at least members of the same franchise if Jordan, 39, retires.
The Washington Wizards have been in steady talks with Russell's agent about signing the free agent to a multi-year contract, sources with knowledge of the situation said yesterday. Russell, who would fill the Wizards' need for a starting small forward, is believed to be discussing a deal that would pay him a starting salary of $1.4 million -- Washington's league-allotted salary exception.
Dwight Manley, Russell's agent, said Washington is one of a handful of teams he has spoken with regarding Russell. Nothing is imminent with the Wizards, Manley said, but Russell would be a very good fit in Washington.
Russell, 31, would add a much-needed veteran to the Wizards' young front court, which likely will have second-year players Brendan Haywood starting at center and Kwame Brown or Etan Thomas at power forward.
Should Jordan play, he is expected to come off the bench behind Richard Hamilton, who will start at shooting guard, alongside free agent acquisition Larry Hughes.
Russell's nine years of experience also could prove valuable if the Wizards are unable to re-sign veteran free agent forward Popeye Jones, who was a mentor to the team's younger players and a vital cog to the team's stable chemistry. Other than Jordan, Russell also would be the team's most playoff-seasoned player, having competed in 96 postseason games, where his career scoring average (10.8 points) exceeds his career regular season average (9.2).
With Russell, Coach Doug Collins could develop rookie small forward Jared Jeffries more slowly. Second-year pro Bobby Simmons is the only other small forward under contract. Small forward Rod Grizzard, chosen in the second round, remains unsigned.
For most of his career with the Utah Jazz, Russell was a valued defensive stopper who played shooting guard and small forward. He was a solid contributor on offense, showing a decent outside touch and the ability to penetrate to the basket -- something Washington will need badly from one of its front-court players since its offense is so reliant on its guards for scoring.
Russell struggled a bit last season, never regaining his form after suffering a fracture in his pelvis in a Nov. 16 victory over the Wizards while guarding Jordan, of all people.
When Russell checked into that game, Jordan's first words to Russell were, "Miss me?"
Russell started 40 of the 66 games he played in last season, but saw his minutes steadily go to Donyell Marshall and rookie Andrei Kirilenko.
Should Washington sign Russell, it would all but end any possibility of a trade with the New Orleans Hornets for small forward George Lynch. This week, Lynch said he wanted to be traded to Washington because of the Hornets' refusal to re-open talks on a contract extension. The Wizards and Hornets had discussed a deal but talks have cooled.