Geiger, Ratliff or Austin?

["Noah P. Evans" <ishbak@conknet.com>]

If the NBA lockout ends on Feerick's hearing between August 24-25 and
Antoine resigns, the Celtics will find themselves thrust into the market for
a free-agent center(note:some of this is a rehash). Market wisdom assumes
that we should be able to sign Geiger or Ratliff easily(around 4 mil/year
which should fit easily under the celtics estimated 32 mil salary cap) or
have to reach for Austin(~10mil a year, which would require a cap dump of
some sort).
	Geiger is probably the safest bet, money and skills wise. A tall big body
with a consistent jumper out to 22 feet that finishes around the basket is a
steal for 4 mil(given his competition is McIlvaine and Ostertag). On a team
with a domineering post up player, Walker, Geiger might help team harmony by
staying out of Antoine's way. And Geiger would certainly bruise a driving
guard or two(and not foul out in 24 minutes, like poor Drew).
	Ratliff is intriguing, but definitely a risk and probably not what the
Celtics need. An amazing shotblocker, good rebounder who can run the floor
almost as well as Walter(Actually Ratliff reminds me of a refined Walter,
same Marfan frame, same speed, more muscle, better timing on shot blocks and
poor outside shooting[Walter has the potential to be a superative outside
shooter, he isn't one now though]) Ratliff can help a lot of teams. But not
the Celtics. Ratliff was effective in Philly because he had a pet rhinoceros
in Coleman. The Celtics, unlike Philly, lack a player with the requisite
viciousness to protect the middle when Ratliff doesn't have the body for the
task.
	Austin is easily the best of the three. A great post player(IMO better than
Mourning), who can hit from 19, as well as a big body and a decent defender,
Austin is definitely the most rounded. But Austin is also older, and needs
the ball to create his shot(and the ball is to hard get with Kenny and Toine
on the same team). These two issues, coupled with Austin's price, might not
work well for the Celtics.

Noah