RE: teams status next season

[John Lyell <Jlyell@concentric.net>]

I agree with Ken, Paul Pierce may be the first SF taken .  I have also 
heard Olowakandi will probably be the first center to go.    On the point 
issue I think this is the mistake Pitino made, instead of getting a veteran 
point at a reasonable price for Chauncy to learn under , putting him right 
into the fire was a bad decision.  Some players thrive on it , others don't 
mature as quickly.

This is one reason a liked signing God Shamgod at a budget price.  This kid 
definitely has the point guard quickness and mentality and could be a 
steal, and  learning under Anderson a big benefit.  Any big point coming 
out in the future will usually go top 5 and hopefully we will not be 
picking in that range in future years, so unless we get one through FA or a 
sleeper, we will have to improve based on a small points ability to make 
things happen & the other players better.  With Walker & Mercer's 
athleticism, and the key acquisition of a defensive shot blocker like 
Michael Stewart or Kelvin Cato,  a big point may not be needed  as Chicago 
has done it without a top notch point or center.


Pitino should make Stewart an offer to good to refuse.  Although he is 
still rough in most areas, and most middle range centers are overpaid,  he 
has the athletic ability and attitude to fit perfectly with this team.  We 
don't need a big scorer at the center spot, just a defensive Mutombo type.

If we were to get him and a 3 point threat through the draft or FA we would 
really have a great young nucleus.














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On Friday, February 20, 1998 7:32 AM, Ken Kokubo [SMTP:kk@harvard.edu] 
wrote:
> >Paul Pierce will be much higher in the draft, probably top 5. I would 
love to
> >see him in green and white, he has been one of my personal favorites in 
this
> >draft since seeing him play in the McDonalds HS All American game 3 
years ago.
>
> This is who I hope for as well (realistically, I don't think he will drop 
to 10-15).
>
> Also, thinking to future drafts as well (since I am really disapointed to 
see Billups go I have been trying to focus on positives). One of the things 
Kenny Anderson gives us is an experienced point that will also let us use 
our increasingly higher! draft picks to get a PG that we can groom and 
"bring up right" as his backup. I assume over the next 2-4 years we could 
find a gem in the 15-25 range.
>
> A game plan sort of like
> Big man through Free agency: 98 or 99
> SF through draft or FA: 98 or 99
> PG for the future: 99 and on
>
> Ken Kokubo
> UIS/Harvard University
> 617.496.8151
>
>