.
Apparently it was the knees. Here's an article about it:
http://yesnetwork.com/nets/news.asp?news_id=1286
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">horn: "I hope it works out"
By Al Iannazzone
Special to YES Network Online
August 4, 2005
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ? Just when the Nets, their fans, and some of their high-priced, high-profile players were feeling good about the summer and the moves they made, they were hit with a "not so fast" reality jolt.
Trail Blazers GM John Nash was as shocked as anybody at the Shareef revelation.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the free-agent catch for the Nets and the power forward acquired to replace Kenyon Martin, has something in his knee that made New Jersey officials raise their eyebrows.
During a routine physical, the Nets found that Abdur-Rahim has scar tissue in his right knee, perhaps resulting from an operation he had in high school. There is fear that it could become arthritic, so the Nets are seeking second and third opinions.
Thus, Thursday's press conference for Abdur-Rahim and Jeff McInnis was cancelled less than two hours before it was set to begin and the sign-and-trade deal for Abdur-Rahim with Portland was put on hold. It may turn out to be nothing serious ? Abdur-Rahim's agent, Aaron Goodwin, said his client has had this his whole NBA career ? or it could be something big. It was important enough for Nets' executives to put the sign-and-trade on hold with the Blazers, which in turn delayed the signing of McInnis.
"We'll gather all the information and make whatever decision we end up making," Nets president Rod Thorn said.
The Nets want to do their homework. They want to know Abdur-Rahim can be the low-post presence they need and help make the Nets a championship contender again. They've invested nearly $40 million and a 2006 Lottery-protected first-round pick in him ? a move that Jason Kidd endorsed.
Thorn and several Nets sources are optimistic all will be fine with Abdur-Rahim. Optimistic that this is a minor bump and he will be on board within the next few days. They are awaiting the results from the other doctors they contacted.
But there are time constraints on everything here. The Nets have until Aug. 12 to complete the trade with Portland. But they will decide before that date because the trade exception they used to get Abdur-Rahim now expires Aug. 9.
The Nets probably will make a decision by Monday the latest. The entire offseason lays in the results of these multiple doctors' opinions. What seemed to be a successful summer has taken a sudden nosedive.
"Obviously if it doesn't work out favorably, in this case, he was a big piece to our puzzle and a quality player," Thorn said. "If we don't complete the trade then we've lost a quality player."
FINE PHYSICALLY
McInnis and Clifford Robinson passed their physicals. Robinson re-signed for two years, but the second year is the Nets'
option. It's McInnis' option on the second year of his contract.
? Al Iannazzone
McInnis will be a Net, Thorn assured everyone at a more somber news gathering than what was originally planned. But they aren't sure yet how he'll get his two-year, $7 million pact. They're more concerned with the power forward position.
At this stage, with Stromile Swift, who could have been a Net via the trade exception and two second-round picks but ended up in Houston, and Donyell Marshall, who wanted to be a Net but is now in Cleveland, there aren't many, if any, big-name players available. Steven Hunter will be first on the Nets' list if Abdur-Rahim doesn't work out.
To get Hunter, the Nets will try to work a sign-and-trade using the trade exception with Cleveland for McInnis, who was slated to get $3.4 million of the Nets' $5 million midlevel exception. If the Cavs agree, the Nets could use part or most of their midlevel on Hunter. With whatever is left, they could pursue DeSagana Diop, Malik Allen, and/or Robert "Tractor" Traylor, and potential "amnesty" casualties Brian Grant, and Austin Croshere.
"We have started looking at other options," Thorn said.
Goodwin said the Nets are being "cautious," which is "understandable." You can't blame them. Remember what happened with Alonzo Mourning and his pre-existing kidney condition? Remember the Chris Childs fiasco?
But Abdur-Rahim's agent also invited the Nets to talk to the medical staffs of the Grizzlies, Hawks, and Blazers because the knee hasn't hindered him before.
"I don't see any reason for there to be anything other than a minor concern," Goodwin said. "This is something that has been there for years."
Actually, Abdur-Rahim has never missed time due to his knee. Before this past season, he never missed more than five games in a single season NBA season.
In 2004-05, Abdur-Rahim was sidelined 28 for games, but most of them were due to right elbow surgery. The year prior, he played 85 games, three more than the entire regular season, and that was because he was traded mid-year from Atlanta to Portland.
"I just think it will work out," Thorn said. "He's been playing for nine years. He's never missed games. This guy has been a real warrior. To me, it will end up working out."
Anyone who lives in or has lived in the Tri-State area and follows the Nets wants to believe that. But those same people probably pause. When you follow the Nets, as a fan or writer, there's one thing you know is rock solid: When all seems good, things can change drastically.
Al Iannazzone covers the Nets for The Record (Bergen County, N.J.).</div>
