Thomas, Duncan, Mercer, KVH, etc.

["Caleb J. McArthur" <cmcarthu@umich.edu>]

> > Kareem, Dr. J., etc.  However, I will say this about him:  if you needed a
> > clutch basket, or someone to take over on offense for a key stretch of the
> > game, he was in the same category as those players.  That is a big reason
> > why the Pistons won two championships.  You need that kind of a player to
> > win.  I don't think Duncan is going to be that kind of a player.  Maybe
> > Mercer will.
> > 
> > CJM
> 
> Caleb, I hope you didn't think I was slandering you by tagging you as a
> Pistons fan -- all I assumed was that you've had more exposure to
> Isiah's game then those of us who aren't living in Michigan. 

No offense taken, but you should know that I have only been living here
for the 2.5 years I have been in law school.  Thomas retired before I got
here.  I spent most of my life following the Celtics from my home in
Newton, MA.


> I respectfully disagree with your view of Duncan.  I think he's the real
> deal.  As far as Mercer is concerned, Antoine apparently dislikes him,

I am not belittling Duncan's talents.  I just think it is very rare for a
center to dominate on offense the way a forward or a guard can.  Kareem,
Moses, Hakeem, Wilt did it.  Russell dominated with his defense.  Unlike
guards or forwards, centers have to have someone feed them the ball in the
right spot, they cannot create their own shots.  Hakeem, with his amazing
post moves and decent range, is an exception. Kareem could hit that hook
from anywhere.  I just don't think the Celts can win a championship if
their number one option when the game is tied with 10 seconds to go is to
try to feed it in to Duncan.  I hope that if we get him, he proves me
wrong.

> and the last thing this team needs is discord.  Let's hope the C's come
> up with a lottery twofer and that Duncan and Van Horn help turn Eric
> Williams into the next great Celtic 6th man. 

Did you watch the Kentucky/Utah game?  Mercer is going to be a far
superior player.  If the choice is between Walker and Mercer, I would
trade Walker for the pick to take Mercer.  Let's say we get the #1 and
#7.  Our lineup could be:

1.  Wesley
2.  Mercer
3.  Williams
4.  Duncan
5.  Foyle

Bench:  Fox, Minor, Radja, etc.

Mercer and Williams are better shooters by far and Duncan and Foyle will
more than makeup for any loss in rebounding.  I prefer this lineup to:


1.  Wesley
2.  Day?  Minor?
3.  Van Horn (by trading the 7th pick and Fox)
4.  Walker
5.  Duncan

Bench:  Williams, Radja, etc.

Vah Horn is the next Danny Ferry.  Nice shot, can rebound, too slow, can't
create.

CJM