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 Friday, March 10
Kukoc? Hughes? What do you think?
 
ESPN.com

 
Toni Kukoc
Will Kukoc fit in with the 76ers and their style of play?
We always love to open up the lines of communication with our users, and when we did it immediately after the Toni Kukoc-Larry Hughes-John Starks deal became official, those users responded.

They responded big-time.

In the first hour alone we received more than 1,000 e-mails on the subject. Amazingly enough, Sixers, Bulls and Warriors fans seemed to be split whether the deal was good for their teams or not. Even a few Knicks fans and Starks lovers wrote in outraged.

Anyway, thanks for writing in and enjoy the remarks from some of ESPN.com's finest -- users, that is.


Another deal by the Jerrys (Krause and Reinsdorf) that makes Chicagoans scratch their head. I mean, John Starks? Every Chicagoan hates him. He will always be a Knick to us. What's up with that No. 1 pick? They're definitely going young ... better hope Tim Duncan likes snow.

Geronimo
Chicago


I think it was an outstanding trade. It gives Philadelphia another scoring option to help Allen Iverson, but it also provides Philly with a veteran who has attained the championship ring and the veteran leadership it needs to go to the next level. Golden State was provided with a young talent who, with time, teamed up with Antawn Jamison, and the young nucleus they have at Golden State, will help that team gain some respect. Unfortunately for John Starks, he goes from worse to worser. But maybe he'll finally be that "go-to-guy" in Chicago.

Antonio D. Barber
Tampa, Fla.


What was Golden State thinking? Larry Hughes will not want to stay in Oakland, and they've given up a first-round pick just to get him. This has to completely hinder their rebuilding. Their franchise is cursed. Is Philly a letdown for Kukoc? A deal to Portland or L.A. is the immediate chance for a title.

Buds Savine
Washington, D.C.


An awful big gamble for the Sixers to mortgage the future for one chance to make a run in the playoffs. The Eastern conference is so weak that Kukoc could make the difference between a first-round loss and a trip to the Conference finals. But will Toni sign with Sixers next year? If not, Hughes was too steep a price to pay.

Rich Barnett
Berkeley Lake, Ga.


I am a huge Sixers fan and I hate the deal. Kukoc is 31, in the last year of his contract and can't score! I feel that Larry Hughes will come back to bite the Sixers in the rear end. I feel that the 76ers could have gotten a little more talent then Toni Kukoc for Larry Hughes.

Matt Lombardo
Allentown, Pa.


Hughes is the key figure in this trade. Hughes and Jamison have the potential to be a solid 1-2 punch. The big question is how long can the Warriors keep him in the Bay Area before he seeks bigger money elsewhere? The Warriors have a fairly young and inexperienced nucleus, but are a few players away from returning to an above .500 team. Larry Hughes is young, and only time can tell if he becomes a legitimate and prime time shooting guard in the NBA. I hope the Warriors continue to build and return to the days of Run TMC. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Jay Sakamoto
San Diego, Calif.


Billy Owens will be cut as the Warriors have too many guys in the front court. But getting Hughes for Starks and a 1st round pick was a steal. Now, if they can just move Donyell...

George McDowell
San Jose, Calif.


Well, overall I believe that it was a waste of time. The 76ers got the best player in the deal, but Kukoc really doesn't fit in the Philly style. Larry Hughes is screwed. And Starks goes to Chicago? Big whoop. This trade is no big deal. None of the teams involved can compete with the top teams of the West anyways. Send 'em all back and re-deal.

Gene Hamilton
Grayson, Ga.


I applaud the latest move made by the Bulls. They dumped some salary and now will have two picks in the upcoming lottery. They may be able to make a run at an eighth seed next year. This team will be exciting to watch in the years to come. They can go after Mateen Cleaves or a Scoonie Penn to run the point and either a two-guard or center.

David Barrett
McPherson, Kan.


I am a long-suffering Warriors fan, so I think that this is the best thing they have done in a long, long time. Bringing in Hughes makes them a whole lot more athletic and young, and with Owens, he is reunited with a coach that he thrived under. Also, they make the team a lot more versatile. I envision this starting five very soon: V. Cummings, L. Hughes, A. Jamison, D. Marshall and E. Dampier: Not too shabby!

Stanley Wong
California


This just goes to show you how much a loser Jerry Krause is. Chicago had the chance to build a good, young nucleus of players with Hughes, Artest and Brand. Instead we get an aging Starks and a draft pick who could not come close to Hughes' talent level in this draft.

John
Des Plaines, Ill.


Jerry Krause has proven again he's the worst GM around. The only GM to pass on Karl Malone and still have a job gave away one of the toughest matchups in the league for a washed-up ball hog and a shot at another bargain basement rookie he'll have no chance of re-signing. Michael, Scottie and Phil must be laughing pretty hard.

Renaman
Chicago, Ill.


I love it! I think Philly will not have to rely as much on Allen Iverson as the main go-to guy. This was the best possible deal. Larry Hughes will get plenty of playing time in Golden State, so he gets his wish. The Sixers now have an added weapon in their arsenal. If Matt Geiger gets his game together, they shoudl at least make it interesting in the playoffs.

Dan Morris
Havertown, Pa.


Although the rebuilding Bulls made a good move in acquiring a likely lottery pick from a struggling Golden State team, the thought of having to watch John Starks wear a Bulls uniform makes me sick to my stomach. I can't remember a player that disgusted fans of the Bulls dynasty more. I just hope the Jerrys don't decide to keep him around long.

Bill Pawlikowski
Chicago, Ill.


It's a sad day when my all-time favorite Knick -- John Starks -- gets traded to my all-time least favorite team -- the Bulls.

Matthew Martin
Vancouver, B.C.


I think the Bulls get the best end of the trade -- not really because of John Starks, though. If we get that No. 1 pick from Golden State, the Bulls will probably have two top five picks in the draft!

Jeremy Brook
Dekalb, Ill.


FINALLY! This is the perfect player the 76ers have needed. Larry Hughes is a great talent but just doesn't fit in Larry Brown's system, but Kukoc brings so much to the table. He may be the answer to go along with "The Answer" and help the Sixers finally get another championship!!

Dan DeLozier
Philadelphia


We all know who the real winners in this deal are. The Spurs! Now they can go for another run for the title without Kukoc in the way.

Dan Bogdanow
Lexington, Mass.


 


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