Hunter returns to 76ers after trade falls through
February 10, 2006
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Center Steven Hunter returned to practice Friday with the 76ers, who tried to trade him nine days ago.
The New Orleans Hornets, who agreed to give up two second-round picks for Hunter, rescinded the trade Thursday because of medical concerns.
"I feel I have a point to prove," Hunter said. "There's a lot of doubters on me."
Hunter is averaging 4.9 points and 3.5 rebounds for the season. He started the first 13 games for the Sixers while Samuel Dalembert was injured, then struggled when forced to come off the bench.
Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said Hunter was starting to come around at the time of the trade.
"I thought before we attempted to trade Steven, he had started grasping the way we want him to play," Cheeks said. "Rebounding, giving us energy, I thought he was doing that."
Cheeks said Hunter was welcomed back by his teammates.
"It seemed like he'd never left. He blended in, understood the plays we were doing," Cheeks said. "It didn't seem that awkward at all from our standpoint. Maybe from his it was."
Hunter said the difficult part was not knowing his fate for over a week, while doctors tried to resolve the conflict. The teams wouldn't discuss the problem, but Hunter said he thinks the Hornets' concerns were groundless.
"I was very surprised, because three months earlier our doctors passed me in the physical in order for me to sign my contract," said Hunter, who signed a five-year, $17.2 million deal in August. "I haven't missed a game or practice due to any injury since 2002. So I don't think anything's wrong with my bone structure, knees, joints or ankles. They just said I didn't pass the physical and rescinded the trade. But I feel fine."
Hunter is happy the situation is finally resolved.
"I had packed all my stuff. I had about eight bags in the airport. I put my house up for sale," Hunter said. "I did everything thinking I wouldn't be back here. For something like this to happen it was very, very stressful."
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