File the recent Jazz signing of Tom Chambers in the "it-ain't-over-'til-it's-over" category. As recently as late June, the Jazz were talking as though they weren't interested in Chambers. Now the two are in business together.
"Tom's expertise would help us a great deal, but the league is so competitive it seems more guys are looking toward younger players," said Jazz owner Larry H. Miller on NBA Draft Day. "This puts Tom in a situation with us where I could not see anything really working out."But something was worked out Aug. 12, as the Jazz signed Chambers to a one-year deal.
While Miller's June statement on acquiring Chambers seemed certain enough, several factors entered in to make signing Chambers feasible. First, Chambers already had $700,000 in buyout money from the Suns. Second, early in the summer the Jazz were planning on re-signing Larry Krystkowiak. But as time went by it was apparent they couldn't come to terms. Thus, the Jazz had a roster opening. The $605,000 the Jazz paid Krystkowiak last year could be added to the $700,000 Chambers already had, giving him a $1.3 million contract. Third, there was the endorsement of Chambers by the Jazz's Karl Malone, who went on the air to declare he'd defer some of his salary, if necessary, for the Jazz to sign the four-time All-Star.
Although Chambers is a proven star, how much of his skills remain is the big question. Obviously Phoenix didn't think he had much left. Certainly the Jazz's plan to get younger and more athletic wasn't served by signing the 34-year-old Chambers.
Nevertheless, Chambers is big and versatile. If Chambers is as content to play backup to Karl Malone as he indicated, he'll be at least as valuable to the Jazz as Krystkowiak. Considering the Jazz got Chambers on a one-year contract, and considering they got him at low cost, the Jazz's risk factor was relatively low.
Already one of the most environment-conscious cities in the country, Portland is taking things a step further in plans for the new Blazers' arena.
Media kits say the new arena includes plans for walkways, bike lanes, parking garages in the central city and heavy use of the city's transit system.
Projections are that 40 percent of the fans attending games will use the transit system; the arena will be on the city's light rail line. There will also be a shuttle service from parking spaces in the central city, thus avoiding heavy congestion and the need for huge parking lots around the arena.
So if you're attending a game in Portland, bring your mountain bike, stow away some trail mix and leave the gas guzzler in the garage.
Speaking of Chambers, the Jazz say he was their No. 1 free agent choice all along.
Scott Layden, the team's director of basketball operations, said the brief flurry over signing Sacramento's Anthony Bonner died once the Jazz learned they had a chance to work things out with Chambers.
"We really didn't get into the specifics of money or length of contract with Bonner," said Layden. "But we tried to get a priority order of our free agents and Tom (Chambers) was our No. 1 guy. When we realized we were going to be able to strike a deal with Tom, that's when we parted ways with Bonner."
AND THEN SOME: Rookie Isaiah "J.R." Rider on going from UNLV to Minnesota: "I'm going to buy a big jacket, shovel snow and do what I have to to adjust." . . . The Jazz reportedly talked with Portland about a four-player trade in June that would have sent Jeff Malone to Portland and Kevin Duckworth to Utah. Duckworth, however, was traded to Washington for Harvey Grant. The Blazers are still in the running for Lakers' free agent A.C. Green.