Re[2]: Draft Possibilities

[MBerry@mail.journalink.com (MBerry)]

Reply: I think this is a five-player draft: Duncan, Mercer, Battie,
          Thomas and Van Horn. The order they go will depend on the
          draft order. The Celts definitely will get one of these
          players (hopefully Duncan), and with any luck may well get
          two. A draft of Duncan and any one of the other four would
          have to be considered a great draft. I have to agree, to an
          extent, with your assessment of Van Horn. He is not the next
          Larry Bird. He may be, however, another Tom Gugliotta, and
          that is good enough for me. Check out Gugs' stats: 22
          points, 9 rebounds per game. Try finding many recent lottery
          picks with better numbers. 

          I also disagree with the opinion that the Celts don't need a
          power forward. Walker is playing well there, but he is
          destined to be a small forward -- a great rebounding small
          forward, but still a small forward. Eventually, he will be
          worn down and overpowered by the NBA's other power forwards.
          The C's two glaring needs are at 2 guard and power forward.
          Mercer is the only 2 guard that figures to be a true impact
          player. Battie, Van Horn, or even Thomas (if he bulks
          up) could be impact power forwards.








Interesting comments.  You will note that my pessimistic prediction re dallas
is coming all too true.  Not only are they not falling in the standings, but
they are winning!  It took a playoff team two overtimes to beat them last
night. IM sure everyone else is in the tank now, including san antonio.

Re picks.  For some reason, ESPN reported last night that the canadian teams
cant get the 1 or 2 picks.  I believe this to be wrong, but somebody should
check.  The reason they brought it up was that they think Van Horn will be
the number two.  I am no expert on him or NCAA basketball, but I think he is
seriously overrated.  It is worth noting that Larry Bird has been the
severest judge of "next Larry Bird" types, remarking of Michael SMith that he
was "just another white guy who cant run or jump."  Van Horn is better than
smith, but plays in a puffball conference, and doesn't even dominate there
most of the time.  Look at his stats.  I think Mercer is the only acceptable
consolation prize, unless Tim Thomas turns out to be coming out and a draft
camp/workout superstar.  If we need to trade to move up to do it, we should
get Mercer and Battie somehow, or some other combination, but I don't think
we should waste a top three pick on Van Horn.  Why is this guy so highly
thought of?  I think its just consistency (he's been this good since he was a
freshman) and the fact that hes a senior.  But I think he's as good as he's
gonna be, or at best a gugliotta type.  Im interested in Bird's opinion.  I
for one am much more impressed with Mercer, who I would play at 2.  
       as for a big forward, i really don't see where thats a priority.  Our
best player starts there, and our best injured (and untradable) player
provides one of the leagues best backups.  (Who would be better as a backup 4
than Dino?)