In Buffalo, Mike Harrington noted Sabres GM Tim Murray on Friday admitted to TSN Radio in Ottawa that he has “‘second-guessed’ all of his life decisions since he learned” of the Stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis for his uncle and Senators GM Bryan Murray. Harrington: “Could Tim Murray -- the wonderfully eccentric rinkrat that Buffalo fans have hung virtually all of their tanking/rebuilding hopes on -- be out the door someday soon and go back to his old team?” Murray, who previously served as Senators Assistant GM, said, “I’m committed completely. I don’t know how it came across, but what I was trying to say if I didn’t say it well was if I had known he had Stage 4 cancer when I left, when I was offered this job, I probably would not have taken this job.” Murray added, “He might have made me take the job anyway, but I would have told him, ‘I’m not leaving’” (BUFFALO NEWS, 11/16).
WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME? Nets F Kevin Garnett said, “I want to buy the Timberwolves. Put a group together and perhaps some day try to buy the team. That's what I want.” The T'Wolves drafted Garnett in ‘95 and he played with the team for 12 seasons before being traded to the Celtics. Garnett added, “That is the one that has my interest. I have ties there. [Coach Flip Saunders is] there.” Nets GM Billy King: “He would be one of the best owners in the NBA because he understands what the players need and he understands what it takes to be successful in the NBA” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/14).
NOT SO EASY: In New Orleans, Jimmy Smith wrote though there is a “solid base of returning loyalists who attend Pelicans' games,” it is “almost embarrassing that so many seats remain unoccupied for these early home games.” They are not only “being deprived of a chance to see a great player" in C Anthony Davis, but the team "can't benefit from the kind of home-court advantage other clubs” such as the Cavaliers, Trail Blazers or Spurs enjoy. The Pelicans have “historically struggled with attendance during football season” (NOLA.com, 11/14).
