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milky_way
09-10-2002, 11:36 PM
Free Agent Small Forward Inks a Two-Year Deal
http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/Wizards_Sign_Russell-52701-56.html
September 10, 2002


Washington Wizards General Manager Wes Unseld announced today that the team has signed free-agent Bryon Russell to a two-year contract. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

Russell played the first nine seasons of his NBA career with the Utah Jazz, averaging 9.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. A starter on Utah’s two Western Conference Championship teams in 1997 and 1998, Russell has played in 96 career playoff games.

“Bryon not only fills our need for an athletic small forward, but he also provides us with veteran experience that includes nine trips to the playoffs and two NBA Finals,” said Unseld. “In addition to helping us win games, we are also confident that he will help in the development of our younger players.”

Russell was selected with the 45th overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft out of Long Beach State University. After being elevated to the starting lineup as a rookie, Russell saw his role with Jazz diminish over the next two seasons before enjoying a breakout season in 1996-97 when he started 81 games and averaged 10.8 points per game. Russell started all 50 games of the 1998 season and was second on the team in scoring with 12.4 points per game. He averaged a career-high 14.1 points per game in the 1999-2000 season.

“Bryon Russell has a wealth of NBA knowledge and experience that we are excited to have here in Washington,” said Wizards Chairman Abe Pollin. “He knows what it takes to be successful in our league which can only help us.”

Russell has career averages of 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in NBA Finals games and has averaged 10.8 points per game in nine consecutive appearances in the Western Conference Playoffs.

milky_way
09-10-2002, 11:37 PM
it will be interesting seeing Russell and Jordan on the same team :freak: :devillook :(

uj4l
09-15-2002, 10:23 PM
yeah i know. after they were against eachother. Russel was good. the jazz shoulda signed him. hope he does good with his new team:angel:

milky_way
09-15-2002, 10:31 PM
Russell was inconsistent. we're trying to rebuild, and we don't need any more bad contracts. Russell has been underacheiving. i liked him, but i'm kinda glad we got rid of him.

uj4l
09-15-2002, 11:00 PM
How can u say that?!? I disagre! He was a good player. He tried hard. Now we barely have any players

milky_way
09-15-2002, 11:13 PM
he was not consistent. yes, his injury played a part in that, but he went through streaks where he was either decent, or flat out couldn't hit anything. it would be nice if he was back, but it's also nice that he's gone and we freed up playing room for younger more promising players like Stevenson, who WILL play an important role in the future of the team. Russell isn't in Utah's plans for the future anymore. We're rebuilding. Russell isn't gonna get any better. the only direction he can go is the other way, and we don't need to risk a lot of money for a player who is probably gonna end up being nothing more than a bench player. it was nice having him and he was part of some great teams and some great moments, but he doesn't fit in the direction Utah's going.

Best of luck in Washington Bryon :)

uj4l
09-16-2002, 04:49 PM
you are right.:Dthere is a good and a bad.

best of luck:D