Re: Rick Fox

["Jeff Tepper" <jaytee@itasoft.com>]

As much as i'm sorry to see him go, I agree with the decision to not resign
Fox.  If we signed him to a contract for his market value then that would
severely hinder us from being able to get one of the big men from the class
of '98 (Rasheed Wallace, Joe Smith, Antonio McDeyss, etc).  I agree with
all of the good things you say about Fox, but when it comes down to it, we
really do need to make a run at one of these good young big men who can
stay with the team and contribute for many years to come.

I also think that this might turn out to be better for Fox.  He's a veteran
that deserves the opportunity to play on a team that has a shot to win a
title next year.  The celtics are obviously in a rebuilding situation,
which Fox has played through for many years now.  He deserves something
better, and i hear that certain teams that are currently making the
playoffs and want Fox to help complete their team for a championship run
are interested in him.  I've heard specifically that Utah is interested,
and i would think that some other teams like Houston, Phoenix, and some
others that are currently playoff teams are interested  also.  

So maybe things will turn out best for both Fox and the Celtics...

Jeff


- ----------
> From: Daniel Pelletier <dlp@philabs.research.philips.com>
> To: 'Celtics@igtc.com' <Celtics@igtc.COM>
> Subject: Rick Fox
> Date: Wednesday, July 09, 1997 3:46 PM
> 
> Okay, I hear a bunch of you hinting at it, but I want to be the first to
> say it.  RICK PITINO IS AN IDIOT!!!!  He's a moron!  He knows nothing
> about basketball! He couldn't carry ML's gym bag! How could he let Rick
> Fox, the heart and soul of this team go?!?!  A guy who gave his all
> every game, even when it didn't count for anything, who competed just to
> compete, who epitomized all that is good and right and holy in athletic
> competition!?!?
> 
> I also want to introduce the first derisive nickname for Pitino:
> STUPITINO! 
> 
> First the Radja deal, where he got bamboozled by Larry Brown, then the
> Pippen mortgaging the future fiasco, then the give Travis Knight the
> keys to the store and lose Rick Fox in the bargain Travis-ty.  Now,
> field the only all-rookie all-unproven team in NBA history!   
> 
> Okay, I hope all realize that I'm just kidding ( at least partly ).  The
> only real problem I have with Pitino is the loss of Rick Fox, one of the
> few real class players around.  And I will wait a couple of years to see
> whether he can make something of this VERY young group or not before I
> really criticize.  But I think it's interesting to note that we have
> gone from almost annointing Pitino ( also unproven ) as the second
> coming of Red Auerbach in his prime to saying "Personally, I think what
> he did was nuts, but I'm willing to trust that he knows what he's doing
> because he's a basketball genius."  Now, whether he's nuts or a genius
> will depend on how well the team does next year.  
> 
> I agree with those that say of last years players, "15 wins, exactly why
> do you want ANYONE from that team back" with the exception of Rick Fox. 
> I somehow hope he ends up back in green again someday.  He will be
> missed.
> 
> Long Live Pitino!!  Long may he reign!!  
> 
> Dan Pelletier
>