Garth Joseph

[kjgoo <kjgoo@worldnet.att.net>]

"JLyell" <jlyell@concentric.net> wrote:
> 
> I hope we don't end up with Joseph, Coleman,  or Closs.  They are just
> another in the long string of big man that suck, Earl, Montross, Hamilton,
> Hamer, etc.  We don't need another 3 toed sloth that is just taking up
> space & bricking free throws.  Get an athletic guy who can get physical
> inside.  We really don't need a lot of scoring ability out of them.  Read
> Leventhal's analysis of these guys, he says they all suck.  Joseph he says
> many scouts called a big load of #%@!.
> 

I'm not sure I'd buy everything Don Leventhal writes.  In his pre-draft 
report from 1995, he said that Brent Barry was a lock to be an All-Star 
and that Eric Williams was a too-slow 2nd round pick.  The better 
argument against Joseph (and Coleman, and Closs, and Hodge, and whatever 
other sides of beef they've hauled in) is that as far as I can recall, 
NO undrafted player has ever become even a serviceable NBA center.  The 
only remotely decent 7 footer I can remember who wasn't drafted in the 
first round was John Salley, who (a) wasn't really a center and (b) was 
a high second round pick (would've been a first in today's expanded 
league).  Parish was either a 6th or an 8th pick back in 1976.  Maybe 
Joseph, given his obscure background (Dominica?  St. Rose?) is the 
miraculous exception.  I hope Leo Papile is right about him.  On the 
other hand, maybe Kevin McHale's right -- the only reason Pitino wants 
Joseph around is to act as Rick's bodyguard when he visits the ATM.

I think I speak for most if not all true Celtic fans when I say:  
"DINO--GO TO HELLAS!"  Assuming he's really gone, what should the C's do 
about shoring up the 4 spot?  I know Danya Abrams and Otis Hill are in 
camp -- what about Ruben Garces from PC?  I like the idea of using the 
$1 million exception on Outlaw (FOR ONE YEAR ONLY); I'd rather save 
Dino's salary for Rasheed Wallace or Jayson Williams next year.  I'm 
glad no one's talking about Brian Williams!

Michael Gooen

P.S.  Add me to the list of all those requesting a rundown on who's in 
camp.  Also, does anyone know if the Atlanta Summer League games will be 
televised?  I had been a faithful attendee of the Westchester Summer 
League for several years, and I'm truly sorry to see it go.  Seeing old 
college favorites like Dan Cross and Nadav Henefeld in Celtic green was 
a trip.