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| Friday, September 22 Patrick's OK, but he's better than Grant ESPN.com |
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So what did you think about the big Patrick Ewing trade? We asked ESPN.com users immediately after the deal went down and for most of the next day what they thought, and nearly 3,000 e-mails later we have a pretty good idea.
Anyway, here are some of the better e-mails we received on the Sonics' part of the trade. User comments on the Knicks and Lakers can be found to the right.
This deal is just insane ... for the Sonics. They traded away half their team for Patrick Ewing. But I guess it's OK, because with the exception of Horace Grant, there was no one in that group worth keeping anyway. If Desmond Mason can step in at the two-guard role, and Rashard Lewis continues to develop, the Sonics have a good starting lineup of Payton, Mason, Lewis, Baker and Ewing. After that it gets really thin, but they should have a much better team this year. A center in the middle always helps in the wild, wild West, and with Ewing they have a legitimate force in the middle now. Philip Tep Berkeley, Calif.
I hear too many Sonics fans complaining about how they gave up too much for an over-the-hill center in Ewing. PLEASE spare me the sob story over the "stars" we gave up. We got rid of a bunch of bench players that didn't figure into any of the Sonics' future plans. In actuality, we traded Horace Grant for Ewing. Same basic age, but Patrick is a REAL center. Downside? We won't have Maxwell throwing remotes at Payton. Good move on the Sonics part. Alan Coleman Seattle, Wash.
I believe that no matter what you say, Patrick Ewing will not bring to the table nearly what will be expected of him in Seattle. I think that it was poor planning on the part of Seattle. Why would the Sonics be so set on acquiring an aging, injury-prone center whose tank is nearly on empty? My take on the deal is Horace Grant and the draft picks that were given up would have been much more valuable than Patrick Ewing will be even if he does stay healthy this year. Shawn Tampa, Fla.
Wally Walker is a genius! Let's send the Lakers one of the two things they need to become a dynasty. He might as well send Gary Payton down there, too. Can GMs be traded?? Ron Melencio Seattle, Wash.
The SuperSonics improved the most while the Knicks were the exact opposite. With Ewing, a legit big man, Vin Baker can move to power forward, where he will produce good numbers. And Payton's skills may very well be enough to get them past any team outside of the Lakers and Blazers. L.A. improved by acquiring Horace Grant, a no-nonsense guy who will do the dirty work underneath. Rice is more than expendable so long as Rider keeps his ego in check. New York, however traded its franchise player, and while he certainly was not getting any younger, they now have no real inside presence to go with three terrific offensive weapons who all play the same position. If they can't land Mutombo, they may be looking at a No. 6 or 7 seed at best. Jamal Ruthers Hartford, Ct.
Wally Walker and Paul Westphal got lucky. Getting Ewing is one thing, but unloading Maxwell and company makes this deal even sweeter. It's going to be an interesting NBA season in Seattle, and let's just hope that Baker ditched the donuts while down under. Sandra Coke Seattle, Wash.
I think Seattle really improved their team. Payton, Barry, Lewis, Baker and Ewing could be a tough squad. Not only that, but I think Ewing's presence will make Baker more effective this year because the defenses are going to have to honor Ewing's game in the paint. If Baker returns to his Milwaukee/All-Star/Pre-lockout form because of Ewing's presence it will be trouble for several teams. Ryan Boca Raton, Fla.
Having grown up in the Seattle area, I have watched the Sonics go from the top to the bottom and back up again. However, I feel that this trade is like when the Seahawks brought in Franco Harris to shore up their running game. Ya, he was a great running back in HIS time, and that is what I feel about the Ewing trade. He was great in his time, but I don't feel that now is it anymore. Matt Reynolds Belton, Mo.
Good for the Sonics. Ewing is a little useless at this point, but his rebounding will help a lot and will free up Baker to play his game. He was never meant to play center out West. He should hit close to his old numbers this season. And Ewing should know that it's Payton's team -- if not Payton will let him know pretty quickly. It should help the team get to the middle of the playoff pack in the West. Tom Gould Los Angeles, Calif.
The Seattle SuperSonics are the big winners in this mega deal. They finally get the big man they have coveted for years. Yes, Patrick Ewing has aged, but people talk like his legs are about to just fall off! This guy is still is one of the better centers in the league and remains the best shooting center. With a formidable center, a rejuvenated Vin Baker, a rising star in Rashard Lewis, and the best point guard the league has to offer in Gary Payton, the season just got a whole lot more interesting for the Seattle fans! Harold Bellamy Jr Merced, Calif.
Vin Baker is the winner in this deal. If Ewing stays healthy, Baker (who was horribly out of place as a center last year) is going back to the All-Star game. But with Brent Barry and Rashard Lewis at the No. 2 and 3 spots, Seattle still isn't going to get past the first round. Jason Delran, N.J. |
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