Re: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Digest V4 #84

[Adam A Suchocki <Twilight@world.std.com>]

It's a little unfair to say that Manning carried his team to a
championship (with the implication that he had no real support - like
Duncan).   I believe Mannings Championship team put three players in the
NBA (although Manning was by far the best).  Point guard Scooter Barry has
just a brief stint in the NBA, but any guard good enough to do that is
better than what DUncan has - and definateluy provided some support.
Likewise, Center Greg Dreiling has been in the NBA ever since, and has
played more games than Manning - he's never been a star, but he's been a
solid back-up, which again appears to be better than anything Duncan has
this year.  

I really can't think of a one man team where no one else was good enough
to make the NBA, yet the team won the title.  I guess the Corlis
Williamson team comes close - but Thurman almost made it in the NBA.

Adam



> I was just responding to the question.  People criticized Duncan for not
> taking his *college* team further.  Someone responded by asking what one
> player ever carried his team to a championship.  The answer is Manning.
> 
> As for Duncan, I Agree  that he will have the benefit of other players
> around him (hopefully Celtic players).  The question is who is going to be
> the go-to, take control, can hit the big shot under pressure guy?  Few
> Centers have played that role on a championship team.  Can Duncan join the
> ranks of Kareem, Olajuwon, Wilt, or will the Celtics need to find their
> leader elsewhere?  If the later is true, we better hope we get lucky with
> that second pick or pull off some sort of a trade.
> 
> CJM
>