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COPYRIGHT 2005 South Florida Sun-Sentinal
Byline: Ira Winderman
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.
Best move: The Spurs not only trumped the Heat's addition of Alonzo Mourning by dealing for Knicks center Nazr Mohammed, they arguably added a player better than current starting center Rasho Nesterovic. San Antonio got bigger, better.
Worst moves: Unless the Knicks are looking to unveil an all-power forward lineup, why exactly add Malik Rose and Maurice Taylor to a mix that already includes Kurt Thomas, Michael Sweetney and Jerome Williams? Isiah, you've outdone yourself.
Curious move: With both players impending free agents, why remove point guard Gary Payton from a position of need in Boston and inject Antoine Walker into the shot-happy combination of Paul Pierce and Ricky Davis?
Calculated move: Debate the addition of Chris Webber all you want, but the 76ers held true to their conviction of retaining their youth. It is staggering Philadelphia could make such a trade without having to part with Samuel Dalembert, Andre Iguodala, Kyle Korver or Willie Green. They'll win now with Webber and Allen Iverson _ and still have the opportunity to win later, as well.
Some cashing out
Thursday's deals appear to be more about money than talent
Because money talks, Chris Webber, Baron Davis, Glenn Robinson, Jamal Mashburn, Keith Van Horn and Malik Rose were allowed to walk.
Much of what transpired at Thursday's trading deadline had as much to do with fiscal sense as physical skills. Such is life in a salary-cap sport.
Did the 76ers come out as immediate winners with their acquisition of Webber from the Kings for Corliss Williamson, Brian Skinner and Kenny Thomas? Without question.
But then consider that $62 million of Philadelphia's payroll now is tied to a single, balky left knee. To many, Webber is a Mashburn waiting to happen (more on that later).
With Sacramento forward Peja Stojakovic eligible to become a free agent a little over a...
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