RE: Why don't we all settle down a bit....

[John Lyell <Jlyell@concentric.net>]

I believe Vlade Divac is a free agent also.  Vlade is not bad but not the 
enforcer we need . Did I read an article correctly that Ike Austin is 29 ? 
 Where has he been ?

I like Michael Stewart.  He won't give us much offense, but he is a real 
raw talent and can rebound,  & block shots, and run the court.  I think he 
would be a great fit.  Austin would be great also.  I am not sure of 
Wright's status.  Can we afford to sign any of these players as FA's 
without somehow getting rid of Brown, Barros, Minor, or Ellison's salary or 
moving Knight or Declercq ?  Is anyone's contract up at year end ?

I really like Declercq he is not afraid to bang inside, and Knight has a 
lot of potential also.  Is Roy Roger's contract up at year end ?











-----Original Message-----
From:	Gregory Odegaard [SMTP:grodeg@kalama.com]
Sent:	Monday, December 29, 1997 8:00 PM
To:	Jp; 'Dorine Pratt'
Cc:	'Celtics'
Subject:	RE: Why don't we all settle down a bit....

As many have said and talked about, all we need is a young, strong running, 
defensive minded shot blocker.  Someone who will be with the team, assuming 
we can sign them and continue to work wonders with the capology, for the 
next ten years and more than a couple championships.

The bottom line, working with reality; I mean the draft, off season moves 
or FA pick-ups, which single player fits this mold?  I am on record, in the 
last day, saying we should not move any of the current base of players, 
except maybe Ellison or Minor.  I say keep Barros and Brown for the time 
being.  Unless the right deal comes along for them too.  Who do we go after 
in one way or another?  Keep Knight for a split b/u Center/PF role.  Knight 
can excel in many roles against most opponents in the league, just not 
against the dominate centers in the game.

The candidates appear to be:

1.  Austin
2.  Stewart
3.  Wright
4.  Jayson Williams
5.  Geiger (too old, bad attitude?)
6.  Siekaly (too old?)
7.  Maybe Battie for the right deal


My votes are for Austin (at 5MM per year), Stewart (2-3MM per year) or find 
a way to get Kelvin Cato from Portland.  I have said I don't see Portland 
giving him up, but I think he is a possible second choice behind Austin. 
 Wright and Williams are injury prone, and Geiger and Siekaly are certainly 
past their prime.  Am I missing someone from the possible FA class?  At 
this rate of team success (I am all for that) we can't count on a valuable 
draft pick.  Maybe we should package it with a big contract dumping trade.

Who is the one guy (no current superstars, remember reality bites) do you 
want for the next ten years at Center?

Happy New Year,
Greg