http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_3666151
Lakers coach Phil Jackson had strong feelings on the Charlotte Bobcats'
decision to release guard Kareem Rush on Saturday with nine games left in
the season and heading nowhere with a 20-53 record.
"I thought it was vindictive," Jackson said. "I don't like to see it
because
he's one of the guys that we nurtured here. He was contributing to us a
lot
in the championship (run) two years ago.
After making six 3-pointers for the Lakers to close out their 2004 Western
Conference finals series with Minnesota, Rush found himself out of Rudy
Tomjanovich's rotation and was traded to Charlotte that December for two
future second-round draft picks.
Rush started 47 games in two seasons with the Bobcats but battled injuries
and fell out of favor. He was dumped Saturday with Charlotte coach/general
manager Bernie Bickerstaff issuing a stinging statement in a team press
release.
"The Bobcats are about two things - hard work and maximum effort,"
Bickerstaff said. "With that in mind, we think that it is best to go in a
different direction with Kareem."
