Re: This "OPIE" business..

[damekmo@teleport.com]

>Relax, the only person taking pot shots at Bird is M.L.'s biggest
>fan.  I think Paul has gone so completely overboard in his defense of
>M.L. that he's lashing out at anyone slated to replace him.


What?...Lashing out?...LASHING OUT!...YOU THINK I'M LASHING OUT!...Well,
perhaps. OK...so here's the good news: maybe Opie wont even get the job.
Sorry, I couldn't help it. OK...OK...I'll stop with the "Opie" bit, even
though I thought we all agreed he looked like Opie...and talked like
Opie... All right. I can see everybody's had just about enough. But before
I do, I'd like to address the Croshere statements by L-A-R-R-Y...ok? Now,
once again, I'm going to ask all of you to look deep down into your souls
and tell me that you all actually believe that Croshere had a better year
than Van Horn. Isn't that what Larry said a few weeks ago. Here, you're
picking sides for a game and you're left with Croshere or Van Horn. Now
remember, you want to actually win...quick, who do you take? Croshere
played with three other guys who scored in double figures this year. Van
Horn carried the scoring load all year for his team. He led them in
rebounding and after Doleac, it wasn't even close. My point is that Van
Horn was Utah and everybody knew it. Now, I know that Larry wanted to see
Van Horn take over in their Tournament loss, but...did Duncan take over in
Wake's loss? Did Mercer take over? Now, look...I was the one who questioned
whether Van Horn got his shot off quick enough to make it in the pros. I
also question his ability to guard other small forwards as I assume he'll
play the 3 in the pros. But look at his game guys...if he makes it...he's
an absolute star in the NBA for years to come. If he makes it, he's going
to dominate his position on most nights. He's not perfect, but he's awfully
tempting. Now if the Celts trade down, unloading some dead weight, and pick
Croshere in the teens, I have no problem with that. But it sounds to me
like Larry actually likes Croshere's game "better" than Van Horn's! Now, I
don't know about Larry wanting Eddie Jones instead of Montross, but we do
all agree that once the Celts got Eric, Larry wanted to keep
him?...right?....liked his game?...right?...didn't want to trade
him?...right? I'm questioning the guy's judgement when it comes to
evaluating talent. If you have to go out on a limb, take a guess on a guy's
future when the talent isn't so obvious, I just wonder whether Larry's the
guy you want with the final word. The final word on Williams turned out
pretty well, as did the word "Wesley" when everyone gave up on him. Two not
so obvious talents. OK, no more "Opie." But if that little *&%#@*! decides
not to trade down and is looking at Van Horn and Croshere at six and he
takes Croshere...it's "Opie" with a vengeance.

I admire and love you all and I promise never to blaspheme again.



Paul M