For a bit of variety, let's start with an ACC-flavored NBA trade: Stephon
Marbury has been sent to the Knicks, completing a dream for him we're
sure. Big trade: Knicks get Marbury, Penny Hardaway and Cezary Trybanski.
Suns get Antonio McDyess, Howard Eisley, Charlie Ward, Maciej Lampe, the rights
to Milos Vujanic and two first-round draft picks. We'd have to say the
Suns got the better end of that deal. Marbury has never been a favorite around
here. He's arrogant, self-centered, and cynical. Good move by
Phoenix. If McDyess can get healthy again, great move. And if not,
he's a free agent at the end of the season, and they just dumped about $140
million dollars worth of long-term contracts.
Maryland's Ekene
Ibekwe is a kid with a lot of potential, and some of the Maryland folk think
he'll realize it sooner rather than later.
Latest guy to jump on Rashad McCants? Hermann Wendorff
of the Fayetteville Observer. Okay, quick observation: UNC lost out on NC
natives Shavlik Randolph, Eric Williams, Chris Paul, and didn't go after
P.J. Tucker, who is off to a great start at Texas, including just hitting a
dramatic game-winner against Providence, a school apparently dedicated to
playing former coaches (Pete Gillen and Rick Barnes). Think anyone is
regretting how that worked out?
Rashad and the Heels get another chance to iron things out Wednesday
against new ACC foe Miami. They aren't on the conference schedule this
season, but are part of the conference now.
Not everyone is having a bonehead experience in the ACC. Take Vernon
Hamilton, for instance, who
seems to be thriving at Clemson.
Tuesday night, Maryland
takes on UMES: Another yawner.
Oh, yeah. Not that it matters, but UVa
stunk it up against W&M. You can do that against the Tribe and still win, but the harder games are on the way.