Campbell will lieber zurücktreten als für die Nets zu spielen und trotzdem holt Thorn Easy 5 ! Minuten vor Ablauf der Frist, ziemlich billiger Move, damit fehlt Detroit der Shaqstopper, die Nets haben ihre 5 mio $ exeption verbraten und Campbell verliert wohl was Geld...Thorn is wohl bisschen eifersüchtig auf nen Detroiter GM ( er hat ja auch versucht, den Sheed deal mit Atlanta letzte Season zu verhindern)...schlechter Verlierer !
Pistons
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Nets snatch up waived Campbell
January 29, 2005
BY PERRY A. FARRELL
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
The Pistons apparently will have to come up with a Plan B for obtaining a spare big man after the New Jersey Nets claimed Elden Campbell off waivers Friday.
Campbell was waived by Utah two days ago after the Pistons traded him and a first-round draft pick to the Jazz for guard Carlos Arroyo. The Pistons hoped Campbell would clear waivers so they could reacquire him, but the Nets snatched him.
Reports from New Jersey said general manager Ed Stefanski talked to Campbell and was confident the 7-foot center would report to the team. Campbell earlier said he didn't want to play for any team other than the Pistons.
"I don't have any indication one way or another saying that he will (play)," said Rod Thorn, the Nets' chief executive officer. "Obviously, he has the prerogative of retiring. If he chooses to retire, obviously he retires and you don't pay him. He said he would have liked to clear waivers and go back to Detroit because he lives there and his kids go to school there. I don't think he wants to retire, so we'll see."
The Nets had narrowed their target for inside help down to Campbell and Cliff Robinson, a former Pistons forward who plays for Golden State. The Nets offered the Warriors two second-round draft picks and other considerations, but Golden State wanted a first-round pick.
The Nets think Campbell can provide depth for a possible playoff run. The Pistons wanted him for the same reason, especially to battle Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal.
Joe Dumars, the Pistons' president of basketball operations, said he had no comment on the situation.
Thorn supposedly didn't acquire Campbell over spite. He and the Pistons have had differences in the past. Last season, Thorn called Atlanta Hawks general manager Billy Knight and asked him not to trade Rasheed Wallace to the Pistons. The Hawks did anyway.
Thorn also was angered by criticism from Pistons coach Larry Brown, who questioned the firing of former Nets coach Byron Scott and the hiring of Lawrence Frank as his replacement. This season, Thorn accused Chauncey Billups of taking a cheap shot at Richard Jefferson in a Dec. 27 game at the Palace.
Jefferson fell on his left wrist and eventually had season-ending surgery, greatly hurting the Nets' chances at a playoff run.
Campbell, 36, averaged 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 10.8 minutes this season. Last season, he helped defend O'Neal in the NBA Finals, when O'Neal played for the Lakers. "I miss him," Brown said of Campbell. "He's a great guy to have around, and all his teammates respected him."
BOBBLEHEADS: Richard Hamilton talking bobbleheads will be given to the first 10,000 fans at tonight's game against New York. The bobbleheads say, "Yessirrrr!" a phrase Hamilton often uses. Two bobblehead Saturday nights remain after tonight -- Feb. 12 against Washington (Carlos Delfino) and March 26 against Boston (Rasheed Wallace).