Answering Jason Hart's Agent's Questions

by Tom Ziller on Jan 16, 2007 7:45 AM PST in Commentary

Bill Neff, the agent for Jason Hart, spouted off to The Bee's Marty McNeal about the "mistreatment" of his player.

"I just want someone to tell me why the Kings will not give Jason a chance. Or why the Kings will not trade Jason or even waive him. I want someone to say Jason has been outplayed, but that has never been said. I want someone to say Jason has a bad attitude or something because he's certainly not being given a chance."

Mr. Neff, I'm not in Kings upper management. But as a diehard fan of the laundry, I think I can help you out here with your questions:

Why will the Kings not give Jason a chance? Because he has been awful for the team. Last season, he shot 39 percent from the floor, 29 percent from three, and 66 percent from the line. In fact, his career FG% is .439, and his career three-point percentage is .343. Mike Bibby, despite all his problems, can and will shoot better than that. Hart has played well in very limited minutes this season, but very limited minutes tend to mean squat. The team is in no way obligated to play Jason Hart just because Bibby has sucked.
Why won't the Kings trade Jason? As indicated in the story, both trades proposals that have come along would have required the Kings to take back players with contracts extending past this season. One assumes these players are not very good, if they are being traded for Jason Hart. On what planet would Geoff Petrie be expected to take back crappy players signed beyond this season in return for a cheap expiring contract who could come in handy at the deadline, or should Bibby be traded at some point? Where's the obligation to make this team worse just so Jason Hart can get 8 minutes a night somewhere?
Why won't the Kings waive Jason Hart? Why would the Kings waive Jason before the deadline, in case they need some extra contract to match up, or in case they can swing a second-rounder for his contract? On what planet does a lottery team waive its 30-year-old third-string point guard because he's upset with playing time? On what planet do agents (and columnists, it appears) actually expect the general manager to cater to a 30-year-old third-string point guard when he's got numerous bigger problems? Because the Kings are down, Bill Neff and Marty McNeal think they can kick around the team's front office for not playing Jason F*cking Hart? You've got to be kidding me.

If Hart were young, things might be different. If Hart were signed past this season, things might be different. If Hart actually played anywhere near replacement level last season, things might be different.

But it's not different. Hart is not a good player, Hart is not a young player, and Hart will not be a King next year, so Petrie has no reason to cave to his agent's demands.

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Re: Answering Jason Hart's Agent's Questions

Another hard hitting, Pultizer prize worthy piece of journalism by good ol' Marty Mac. What, was Mo Taylor's agent too busy to cry about how the man was holding big Mo down. I cant wait for another edition of "Mac's World" so we can hear from Ronnie Price's Mom. I can't decide who I'm more pissed at; Hart and his agent for having the nerve to complain or McNeal for putting this garbage in print. The season is going to hell so no one wants to hear from you Hart. Muss is doing you a favor by hiding you on the bench so the rest of the league doesnt see what we already know.

Damn you Robert Horry!!!

by chupacabra on Jan 16, 2007 10:48 AM PST reply actions

Re: Answering Jason Hart's Agent's Questions

I am no doctor but Bill Neff and Jason Hart whining about playing time while the season sinks to the bottom of the ocean like the Titanic is about equal to having your athlete's foot act up after you've been shot in the face.

Damn you Robert Horry!!!

by chupacabra on Jan 16, 2007 11:14 AM PST reply actions

Re: Answering Jason Hart's Agent's Questions

Or, to further the Titanic comment, it's like complaining about the cleanliness of the restroom on the Titanic.

by Tom Ziller on Jan 16, 2007 12:06 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Answering Jason Hart's Agent's Questions

The biggest question is why is Jason Hart still in the NBA? :D

by kingme on Jan 16, 2007 1:48 PM PST reply actions

Re: Answering Jason Hart's Agent's Questions

I know we are all upset at Harts agent, but can we step into the other guys shoes for a second. All the guy is trying to do is get a shot for his client. Average players don't mind being second or third string as long as the players in front of them are performing at a level that they cannot. If Bibby were shooting a higher percentage this year, or playing any semblance of defense, or the team was winning, I am pretty sure we wouldn't even know who Harts agent is. The reality is that Bibby is playing poorly, and the team has multiple players behind him that are fully capable of playing as poorly. Hell, I think I could lead us to 6 or 7 losses in a row, and I didn't even play High School Basketball.
The elephant in the room is MIKE BIBBY and his big contract. If coach is willing to bet his career on Bibby coming out of his slump and carrying this team, then he has more faith in the Bibster than I do. All of the ridicule and attacks on Hart won't change Bibby's play or his position on this team.

by dccamp on Jan 17, 2007 7:30 AM PST reply actions

Re: Answering Jason Hart's Agent's Questions

A lot of good comments on this topic, including dcamp's view at the end, which brought in a different perspective.

The truth is that Mike Bibby's defense is so awful that regarless of his offense, I wouldn't mind seeing Hart play. Say what you want about his offensive play last year, he plays good, tough defense.

And, not that I think he could keep up the pace if he got more minutes, but I think he is shooting around 50% this year coming off the bench.

Bottom line though: Jason Hart ain't the answer to any question about why the Kings are underperforming.

by Kusian on Jan 17, 2007 11:18 AM PST reply actions

Re: Answering Jason Hart's Agent's Questions

Totally agree Kusian. It wouldn't bother me to see Hart in the lineup more for defense IF it means Kevin Martin will hoist up more shots per game.

by otis29 on Jan 17, 2007 12:03 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Answering Jason Hart's Agent's Questions

I didn't see the piece as a slam on Hart and the agent is just trying to represent/showcase/make money off his client. Doing his job. What I saw was Marty drama that does bring up questions. Why would Muss say he was directed to play certain players over others? By whom? Geoff doesn't tell Muss whom to play so who is the "upper management" who gave Muss instructions?

Maloof involvement? Wouldn't be a shocker and nothing Mark Cuban wouldn't do. It is quite possible the Maloofs may have found a coach that is willing to be their puppet. If so, we can all see how well that is going. The effect on the rest of the players could be a lack of respect for the coach's decisions, causing like, ohhhh, not running plays in the final seconds of the game. (cough, Artest, cough)

Geoff was on Grant's show and was asked about the matter. He said he doesn't tell coaches who to play. The agent called Grant soon after. He just wants a straight answer on Hart. The agent reminded Grant that he works for MSE and Grant slammed him a bit. If we don't have drama - we don't have much.

by pyro on Jan 17, 2007 12:36 PM PST reply actions

Re: Answering Jason Hart's Agent's Questions

RE: Why would Muss say he was directed to play certain players over others?

I wasn't aware of this comment. I suppose I should read the aforementioned column.

RE: Geoff doesn't tell Muss whom to play

Are you sure? It seems that Muss and Adelmans rotation strategies are almost identical. It could be a coincidence, but I don't think Petrie would admit to influencing the players or the rotation (at least not right now, I wouldn't).

Re: The agent reminded Grant that he works for MSE and Grant slammed him a bit.
Sounds like a nerve was hit there. Grant is a homer, and I'm cool with that, but it makes no sense to deny who signs your checks.

by dccamp on Jan 17, 2007 5:30 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Answering Jason Hart's Agent's Questions

"Are you sure?" That is what the man preaches. It is his, Geoff's, choice to leave the coaching to Muss. Yet, at this point his influence couldn't hurt at all and I would rather hear him say he will take an active voice in the coaching decisions.

Grant didn't deny he works for MSE - he just got miffed because it seemed like the agent was dismissing his opinion due to his position.

by pyro on Jan 18, 2007 1:48 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Answering Jason Hart's Agent's Questions

I tend to agree with the agent here. Grant is a paid mouthpiece for the kings. 1140am would have fewer listeners than a ham raidio operator if the Kings games weren't aired there.
I know that it is possible to have your own opinion, I just don't think Grant does.

by dccamp on Jan 20, 2007 4:04 PM PST up reply actions