Re: where is my happy ending? where have all the cowboys gone?

["smishra" <smishra@ix.netcom.com>]

> 	The reason I want two big guys is that I see Walker as a 3 (as
> does he).  When he matched up with the better 4's this year (Baker and
> Garnett come to mind) he was outclassed due to the fact that they have
> much more size and as much athleticism.  Besides a Walker/Duncan duo at 4
> and 5 would be way too small for a starting frontcourt.

Absolutely we have the chance to draft two big guys and we should do so. In
fact I would use Radja or Eric Williams to move up and get Battie if we
can't get him the Dallas pick. There is no point in taking a guard with
this pick unless it's Mercer, but Vancouver will nob him with their 1st
pick unless we get 1 & 2.

> 	Moving on to the second round pick, the lastest Leventhaul ratings
> have Andre Woolridge at number 30 which is exactly where the C's pick
> would end up right now (there are only 28 first rounders this year).  He
> would make a great fit, giving us a backup point guard with some upside
> potential.  Although if a bigger guard were to slip down that far
> (especially Anderson or Simon however unlikely), I would scoop them up
> like a ground hog searching for food while some grounds keepers try to
run
> him over or be-head him with a metal rake.  (I have some weird friends.)

The C's need a backup point and this draft has lot of them Daniels,
Billups, Vaugn, Knight, Shamgod etc. if ML or Bird show some imagination
they could workout some deals. I understand the Knicks are not interested
in this years draft because they are loaded with all kinds of players..the
C's could cut some deal with them as long as they don't give them next
years first rounder.
 
> 	Another sort of positive aspect of taking a point instead of a 2
> in the second round is that it actually gives some value to Greg Minor.
> He would be the only "true" 2 guard on the team.  So given all that,
> here's my roster for next year:

Minor has been touted by many as a swingman as opposed to a SG, so I don't
know how much he can help. If we get the front line that we discussed above
and establish the inside game, we have players like Dana Barros capable of
shooting lights out. 

> 	I don't care who gets the 12th spot (Day, Fox, Conlon, Szabo,
> Hamer, maybe a free agent) as long as they only get a one year deal.  I'm
> hoping we can then free up money for next year and make a serious bid for
> Penny Hardaway.  I see him playing the 2 spot and bringing up the
> ball/running the offense some of the time.  It would take a lot of money
> (probably 8 figures over 7 years) and a great recruiting job to bring him
> here.

I would say the C's should prepare for the FA crop of 1998 and so they need
to sign Wesley this year but let Fox go unless he wants to stay and not
file for free agency. Hardway would be great but I don't see him leaving
Orlando, they have learnt from the Shaq experience and frankly will offer
heaven & earth to Hardway. If the C's do well the next season there maybe
some FA's willing to join the C's and we need to have the cap room for that
to happen.

> And that's not a knock on M.L., Pitino has
> much more coaching experience.  I would like to see M.L. still have a
> meaningful role with the team next year; but if having Bird call the
> shots is what it takes to land Pitino, then that is what must be done.

Without argument I would say that ML has one too many titles for his own
good. Director, GM, Coach. He needs to give up  the GM and Coach and
demonstrate that he ain't bozo after all.
                                                                     -
Mishra