LAKERS NOTEBOOK: JACKSON FIRES BACK AT DALLAS' CUBAN.Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer EL SEGUNDO El Segundo (ĕl sēgŭn`dō), industrial city (1990 pop. 15,223), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1917. Its products include navigation and computer systems, aircraft parts, office machines, telephone apparatus, and - On the same day Lakers owner Jerry Buss Dr. Gerald Hatten “Jerry” Buss (born in 1934) is an American professional basketball team owner, former real estate developer, and poker player. Early life Raised near Kemmerer, Wyoming, Buss earned a B.S. vowed he's still willing to pay the big bucks for talent, his coach stepped out to defend the franchise's honor - and sharply castigated the Lakers' latest critic. Mark Cuban Mark Cuban (born July 31, 1958 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)[1] is an American billionaire entrepreneur.[2] He is the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, an NBA franchise[3] and Chairman of HDNet, an HDTV cable network. , meet Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson (born September 17, 1945 in Deer Lodge, Montana) is the current coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, an American professional basketball team. . Cuban, the free-spending, freewheeling free·wheel·ing adj. 1. a. Free of restraints or rules in organization, methods, or procedure. b. Heedless of consequences; carefree. 2. Relating to or equipped with a free wheel. Dallas Mavericks  The introduction of this article is too short.To comply with Wikipedia's lead section guidelines, it should be expanded. owner, all but accused the Lakers of being cheapskates recently, noting Buss' reluctance to pile up big salaries and pay the NBA's luxury tax. ``If the Lakers don't want to pay the best money for the best talent, send them my way,'' said Cuban, who scoffs at the tax. He went on to say the Lakers and Clippers were ``switching roles'' - the Clippers ``investing in young players . . . while the Lakers have taken to putting their profits in their pockets while complaining about how other teams spend their money.'' Jackson, always enthusiastic in these verbal wars, fired back at Cuban on Thursday in support of Buss' position - that the luxury tax helps maintain competitive balance, and all owners should adhere to adhere to verb 1. follow, keep, maintain, respect, observe, be true, fulfil, obey, heed, keep to, abide by, be loyal, mind, be constant, be faithful 2. that principle by showing restraint. ``Isn't it the truth that the Lakers are spending $14 million more than the Clippers, and (Cuban) had his head up his (butt) again?'' Jackson said. ``So I mean, he doesn't have anything to say. He should keep his mouth shut.'' In a separate interview, Buss took Cuban's remarks more lightheartedly. ``I think he probably likes his players as well as he likes my players,'' said Buss, adding, with a smile, ``and I think what he was saying . . . is he's going to give them all the maximum (salary) when their contracts come due.'' --Mo' money issues: Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced "shak-KEEL") (born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, generally regarded as one of the most dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). is mostly quiet about his own contract issue - specifically, the extension he's waiting for - but he was notably candid about the Lakers' failure so far to re-sign friend Brian Shaw. Shaw has been holding out for the $2.25 million salary-cap exception, but the Lakers have only offered around $1.2 million. ``I can't wait for B-Shaw to come back,'' O'Neal said. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. how this stuff goes with the money and all this, the luxury tax and all that stuff. But I told (general manager Mitch Kupchak) I want him back, and if he doesn't come back I'll be highly (ticked) off.'' --Lineup look: Rick Fox has been practicing with the first team all week and Jackson said in the most specific terms yet he expects the nine-year vet to replace Glen Rice in the lineup. He'll be backed up by some combination of Kobe Bryant, Robert Horry and Devean George. ``I anticipate we'll start the season with Rick as a starting forward, and I think that's going to bode well for us,'' Jackson said. ``If George plays well, that's even better.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Rick Fox is expected to replace Glen Rice in the Lakers' starting lineup. Even coach Phil Jackson says so. Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer |
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