| | OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Golden State Warriors acquired guard Larry Hughes to spark their offense and the teammate that came with him as part of a three-way trade said that should be no problem.
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| Hughes |
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| Owens |
"You're going to be overwhelmed by what he can do on the basketball court," guard-forward Billy Owens said Thursday night at a news conference introducing the team's newest players.
The two, teammates in Philadelphia, were sent to Golden State in exchange for guard John Starks and the Warriors' first-round draft pick. Philadelphia then sent Starks and the draft pick to Chicago along with forward Bruce Bowen in return for forward Toni Kukoc to complete the deal.
"It's a great day for the Warriors," Golden State coach Garry St. Jean said. "We're thrilled to have Billy Owens and Larry Hughes aboard. We feel like this is a significant step toward our future."
Hughes, 21, the eighth overall pick in the 1998 draft, appeared in five games this season, averaging 10 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 20 minutes. He has led all Philadelphia bench players in scoring during the past two seasons. However, he rarely started
because he played behind Allen Iverson, the league's leading scorer.
"We have seen a player we believe is ready to blossom into a prime-time player," St. Jean said.
Hughes had been hoping to go to a team where he would get more playing time.
"I knew something was going to happen," said Hughes, who was
the subject of frequent trade rumors over the last month. "I just
wanted it to happen soon. I just wanted to go to anybody that would
give me a chance to play."
Owens said the Warriors won't be disappointed once they see Hughes play.
"I think right now he's one of the best players in the league," Owens said. "He just hasn't had a chance to show it."
Hughes said he's looking forward to the challenge and disproving
the skeptics who questioned the Warriors' quickness in describing
the inexperienced Hughes as a franchise cornerstone.
"I'm not a risk at all. I don't think it was a chance; I think
it was a good call," Hughes said. "And by the time the season is
over, everybody will know it."
Owens, 30, joins Golden State for the second time. He spent the
first three years of his career with Golden State. He also has also
played for Miami and Sacramento, where he played for St. Jean.
St. Jean said both Owens and Hughes will be in uniform for
Friday night's game against the Boston Celtics at the Oakland
Coliseum Arena.
"We're looking for a transition game, and I think both of these
guys are capable," St. Jean said. "They're both solid defenders,
and I hope they get a good nights' sleep because I'm planning on
playing them a lot (Friday.)"
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