Re: Draft

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

- ----------
> From: Gene Kirkpatrick <gkir@tjc.tyler.cc.tx.us>
> To: celtics@igtc.COM
> Subject: Draft
> Date: Wednesday, May 21, 1997 3:10 PM
> 
> Enjoying the comments.  I wish we could all see a representative film of
> the top prospects and share our insights about them.  I have two
> comments.
> 
> One reason a good trade with lottery picks is so difficult is that too
many
> gm jobs are on the line if they screw up (and probably should be).  What
> advantage we have with Pitino is mitigated by the fact that others will
be
> wary of letting him pick their pocket.  Thus, I am agreeing that we
should
> pick #3 and #6 for talent/need and hope to fill in with the second round.
> And trades might have to involve our B players for other high priced Bs
> and a draft choice.  It's dicey, but we should still wind up with two
> excellent and one good player--all capable of being in our top 8.
> 
> While I think Mercer is the real deal, I like Battie as consolation for
> Duncan.  He is much like PJ Brown as a rook, but better all
> around--quicker, better shot blocker, better shooter, and he seemed to
> be very consistent in college.  He might not be able to put on a lot of
> weight, so we would need a bruiser for a backup center.  Battie with
> Dino, Walker and Williams would be a good front line.

I think that we all like the idea of getting Battie, but the problem is
that the Sixers are expected to take him at #2.  Hopefully they will take
Mercer instead, but they really do need a big player so I think the chances
of them doing that are unlikely at best.

Jeff