The date was November 16th, 2005. On this night in the city of Portland a power forward named Michael Sweetney was far and away the best player on the floor. He scored a career high 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, seven of those offensive, and had more points and rebounds than any other player who participated in the contest. Chicago ended up losing 96-93 on that November night at the Rose Garden, but members of the Bulls organization thought they were seeing the start of something special.
Nearly four years later, Sweetney's NBA career is in considerable peril. In fact, he hasn't played in a NBA game since the 2006-07 campaign.
Many fans in both Chicago and New York, where Sweetney started his career, have wondered what exactly happened to the big-man who once showed so much potential.
Was he in the NBA Developmental League?
Or, did he perhaps sign a contract overseas?
"Last year I was nowhere," Sweetney admitted. "I was down in Miami training at FIU with a guy named Mick Smith. He was the old strength coach with the Orlando Magic, so I was down here training with him trying to get my body right."
After working out in Miami last year, the Boston Celtics threw Sweetney a lifeline offering him a spot on their summer league squad. Truth be told, though, most observers in Orlando noted that Sweetney appeared to be north of 300 pounds and nowhere near his listed weight of 270. Weight is something Sweetney has been struggling with his entire life and is a major reason why his NBA career has veered off track.
"They just told me to come out here and do what I do," Sweetney said when asked what the Celtics wanted out of him this week in Orlando. "Don't do anything that I don't do. They want me to just play hard, run the floor and try to get in better shape."
Unfortunately, Sweetney has missed games during summer league play this week with a sore hamstring, which is something a player trying to work his way back in the league simply can't afford. Even despite this setback, Sweetney wants a shot at redemption.
When asked if his goal was to end up back on a NBA team, Sweetney replied: "Most definitely. This is my goal. I've been written off, so I'm just trying to prove to people I still can play. I'm out here just trying to do the little things. I know I can score, so I'm just trying to do the little things like rebound.
"This year off was just a learning experience for me," Sweetney explained. "I just got myself together mentally and physically."
Time will tell whether or not Sweetney gets another shot in the NBA. Assuming he's been smart with his money, he should be fine financially considering he made an estimated $8.6 million during his four years in the NBA.
What this will come down to for Sweetney is whether or not he has the passion and the drive to get himself back into the NBA. If a two-year absence doesn't provide the impetus for a return engagement in the Association, one has to wonder if anything else ever will.
