From Rumor to Reality

Robinson

Jackson

The rumors began on Tuesday night about the four-team blockbuster deal between the Sixers, Hawks, Timberwolves and Knicks. It was not until late Wednesday night that it finally unfolded. The outcome for the Sixers was that they landed Glenn Robinson and Marc Jackson and sent Keith Van Horn to the Knicks and Randy Holcomb to the Hawks.

"It was back and forth," said Sixers President and General Manager about the deal. "We were on the one call and had to get off. We continued talking, then thought it was dead. Some people said it was dead. I wasn’t going to let it die. We kept working and we were able to revive it and get it accomplished."

Despite the fact that it took nearly a full day to complete, when it was done King was pleased with the outcome.

"I am glad that this deal is done," said King. "This deal is one that took all day. Most of yesterday it was bigger, it became smaller and it became big again. Now we’re happy with these pieces. We have two players that will help us go in the direction that we want to go."

Robinson is a two-time All-Star that has career averages of 21.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg. First year Head Coach Randy Ayers has the unenviable task of keeping "The Answer" and "Big Dog" satisfied.

“	I wasn’t going to let it die. We kept working and we were able to revive it and get it accomplished.” — Billy King

"I think that we have to get some things worked out obviously," said Ayers. "Billy pointed out that Allen wanted someone that could score points and you have that in Glenn Robinson.

"It’s our jobs as coaches to try to work this out and try to get them the touches that they need. We were trying to figure out his (Robinson’s) attempts and it was about 17 a game over the course of his career. We have to try to find a way to keep him involved."

Marc Jackson showed some promise in his rookie year with the Warriors, when he averaged 13.2 ppg and 7.5 rpg in 48 games before his season was shortened by an injury. Since that time Jackson was dealt to the Wolves and has not had the opportunity to shine again.

"His rookie year he played a lot and had a contract debate (with the Warriors)," said King about the local product who played at Roman Catholic High School and went on to play two years at Temple University. "From what I understand he did not want to return, but they matched the offer. So, he went there and didn’t play. They eventually traded him to Minnesota, where he played pretty well in the Playoffs. I think he even guarded Shaq. I think he will be a guy that needs minutes to play and be successful. I think any guy to successful has to be on the court."

In trading Keith Van Horn, he follows the foot steps of former Sixers who didn't last too long in Philadelphia, Toni Kukoc and Matt Harpring. This begs the question, what makes King think that Robinson will work?

"I don’t have a crystal ball to say why it will or why it wouldn’t," said King. "First, I think a lot of those guys were under a different coaching staff and different regime. This is going to be Randy Ayers’ regime, so it would be unfair to characterize the two different regimes and different players."

When King was asked if the Sixers were done dealing this summer, he simply replied, "You never know."