We had teams who thought with their hearts, teams who thought about their cash, and teams who didn't want to pay for people no longer on the team. All in all, 18 teams saved 212 million dollars in tax relief. But don't cry for the players, they are all still guaranteed their money and now they get to sign on with teams they like who have a chance at winning. Let's take a look see at who some of these "amnesty" players are and what they're up to.
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First let's start with players who have long since been waived or released but continued to count against the cap and tax for teams:
Alonzo Mourning (Toronto) - likely to comeback as backup to Shaq in championship run.
Vin Baker (Boston) - Hopefully not drinking his problems away in Houston.
Derrick Coleman (Detroit) - Lost in Walla Walla, somewhere
Wesley Person (Miami) - Last I heard he was in Denver, any word, anyone?
Eddie Robinson (Chicago) - I don't think he's in the league anymore?
Howard Eisley (Phoenix) - Gone back to where he was most productive, Utah.
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Next lets visit some of the players let go at the deadline. Some were injured, some old, most just bad.
Fred Hoiberg (Minnesota) - A crying shame for a guy who really gives it all he's got. Bad Break with that injury, if he comes back, he's a solid backup for anyone in my book.
Ron Mercer (New Jersey) - Why teams continue to give actual legal tender for this man's services is completely beyond me.
Calvin Booth (Milwaukee) - Bum.
Troy Bell (Memphis) - Bust.
Clarence Weatherspoon (Houston) - Tries hard but age has taken a toll.
Aaron McKie (Philadelphia) - I believe this guy can still contribute somewhere.
Jerome Williams (New York) - Probably the biggest surprise seeing as how the "Allan Houston Rule" wasn't used on Allan Houston. Jerome has said he might stay with New York in a different capacity (Scout, commentator, etc.).
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Now for the players who can still contribute at a significant level or players who have already secured their futures.
Derek Anderson (Portland) - This guy has done just about everything he could to absolutely plummet his value during his time in Portland. But lest we forget, he is a very capable scorer (Cavs, Clips, Spurs), I think a team with rock solid foundation players who need an extra scoring punch off the bench can make good use of DA.
Doug Christie (Orlando) - Seems like Doug has found a home in Dallas replacing a fellow amnesty player. Known for his perimeter defense, should be welcomed with open arms by Avery Johnson who has shouldered the monumental responsibility of trying to teach defense to the Mavs, good luck Ave. And Avery, at leat you got a 2-for-1 deal, cuz Jackie Christie is joining the team, sugah. (pssst....Dallas, I'd a kept your other player)
Brian Grant (Los Angeles Lakers) - I believe each and every bone in this man's body aches, still doesn't stop him from banging with the big boys picking up hustle points every opportunity he gets. Has secured a place in Phoenix, they sure didn't waste any time replacing Steven Hunter.
And for the biggest Amnesty prize of them all, Michael Finley. Ironically, perhaps the team who benefitted the most financially (51.8 million), got the worst deal in this whole provision out of every team listed on here. While certainly in decline the assets Michael Finley brings are too numerous to count, here is but a few: Defense, Outside Shooting, Rebounding, Leadership, Character, Hustle, Clutch. Few players I've witnessed truly have the entire package as a player and teammate and I've known this since the 1994 Goodwill Games in St. Petersberg when he outplayed fellow USA teammates with far greater fanfare: Chauncey Billups, Shawn Respert, and Cherokee Parks. Whichever team lands this gem should count itself lucky.
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The amnesty player I saved for last really isn't an amnesty player. He let the team use him as one to help them financially, team President Donnie Walsh said it was his last assist to the team. That player is Reggie Miller. Love him or hate him, Reggie should be considered one of the most special players of the modern era. Few players in NBA history have lasted their entire career with one single team, basketball icons Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Karl Malone, and Michael Jordan couldn't manage it. New teammates, new coaches, new systems, same Reggie. At his advanced age, I was shocked to see what he was *still* capable of when O'Neal, Artest, and Jackson were suspended. He played the game with an uncommon passion that helped lead the 1996 and 2000 USA Dream Teams to gold and was the foundation player that transformed Indiana from also-ran to perennial powerhouse. Thanks for the memories Reggie.
