Knight

[Brian Lee <leexx179@gold.tc.umn.edu>]

I've summarized some of the pros and cons (IMHO) regarding the apparent =
future Celtic.  The statements below are based on my observations from =
the past season.

Pros
=3D=3D=3D=3D
Had some modest numbers considering he had limited playing time. (16 =
mins a game). =20
Shoots the ball well -- FG% at .509=20
Seems to be able to hang on to the ball, and has a surprisingly good =
passing touch.
Runs the floor _very_ well.  In particular, he fills the lane as the =
trailer on the break well, and then finishes the play pretty well.  Is a =
good match for RP's style of play.
Hits the boards well, especially on the offensive end.
Has he some ups, so he should do reasonably well in blocking shots -- in =
particular when coming over from the weak side.=20
Filled in admirably during O'Neal's injury.
NBA.com notes that he rooted for Larry Bird and the Celtics as a =
youngster.  At least he had/has a good role model!
Should show the same loyalty to the C's as he has demonstrated with the =
Lakers.

Cons
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He may struggle bodying up on the larger centers in the league, but then =
again most centers do. =20
While he's 7'0", he has a slighter body type (even though he's 235) than =
one may like for a center.  May actually feel more at home at the 4 =
position rather than the 5. =20
Needs to improve at the line.
7 Year deal for 22 M?  _Might_ have been a bit excessive for both the =
duration and amount.  Although, by acting early RP may have gotten him =
for less than what it _could_ have been (see 1996 - Jim McIlvaine).  We =
may someday look back at this deal as a bargain.

Profile:
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Born: 09/13/74
Height: 7-0
Weight: 235 lbs.=20

96-97 Stats
NAME      G  MIN   FG  FGA   FG%  FT FTA   FT% 3FG 3GA  ORB  TRB  AST =
STL  TO BLK  PF  PTS  AVG
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Knight   71 1156  140  275  .509  62 100  .620   0   0  130  319   39  =
31  49  58 170  342  4.8


I like that RP is being active in the draft and free agent market, while =
quickly discarding the players who do not fit into his championship =
plans.  I'm pleasantly surprised at how quickly he's making the changes. =
=20

I'm looking forward to the 97 opener already.


My $.02

Brian=20
Celts fan in Minneapolis








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Brian Lee
Access Financial
400 South Highway 169
St Louis Park, MN 55426

"It's the lure of the Boston Celtics -- its magical."
     - Rick Pitino
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