good times for Celtic's Nation

[Jeremy <jwarren@eecs.tufts.edu>]

	I'm so glad that Pitino isn't afraid to pull the trigger on trades
the way the previous administration was.  With the team we had before (and
no cap flexibility) we would have been mired in the lottery for years to
come.  Now we have at least a slim outside chance of making the playoffs
this year.  If we had KA for the entire season, we would be right in the
thick of things.

	Did anyone notice that Yinka Dare was waived by the Magic even
though he has two years left on his contract?  Since no one claimed him
off of waivers, he'll be on the Magic's cap until the next millenium.  I
don't see any harm in giving him a 10 day contract to see if he can help
us in the middle.

	Everybody's been talking about Walker and how much he's worth.
The way I see it, you can't commit megabucks to him until you get him some
inside help.  If we lock him up without improving the team, we'll be a
first round and out playoff team for many years to come.

	On the other hand, if we can sign him to something reasonable (say
$80M over six years) we might be able to put him in a package for Tim
Duncan next year, who will be very difficult for the Spurs to resign.

	Technically I think we're allowed to trade Travis Knight (the most
expensive 11th man in the league) to the Knicks even though the deadline
passed.  He just wouldn't be allowed on their playoff roster.  But Ewing
and Dudley should be back by then anyway. If they were to give us a six
pack of Sam Adams for him, I'd consider that more than reasonable.

	Before last night's game, Pitino said we would have to go 18-9 to
have a shot at making the playoffs.  Assuming we can beat the Joe
Smith-less Warriors on Friday night, we would still need to win 16 of our
last 25 games (only 12 of which are at home).  This team will have to grow
up in a hurry and win at least 7 of their last 13 road games to have any
chance.

	There will definitely be a lockout this summer.  The top issues
that ownership will bring to the table are: an individual salary cap,
traded players not reporting to their new teams, and a hard team cap.  The
top issue on the minds of the players will be the part of the uniform
player contract that reads: "A contract may be terminated for conduct
that is detrimental to the team or the NBA."

	Lastly, I don't see how anyone can argue that Pitino may not be a
good NBA coach.  Do you think Kenny would have reported to the Celtics
last year?  He has respect from players all over the league.  Sure he
yells.  But most good coaches do that, especially with a young team.  It's
just like the Pete Carroll/Bill Parcells argument in football.  You can't
even argue about which of them is a better coach.  And Bill yells a lot.
Granted football is a completely different sport.  For this young, mistake
prone team, Pitino is the best possible coach.  For anyone who disagrees,
who would you rather have?  

	Now as a general manager, so far Pitino is no better than average.
Since the trade deadline has passed, I think we can start the end of year
evaluations.  I give Pitino a C.  Signing Mills and Knight and trading 
Eric Williams for nothing were terrible, impatient moves.  Drafting Mercer
at #6 and trading for Kenny Anderson were his best transactions to date.
I can't say that drafting Billups at #3 was that bad, because there was
nothing else available.  And Billups had enough trade value to get a good
point guard and move Dee.  I also have to blame Pitino for screwing up the
Dino Radja trade.  Dino might have reported to Philly earlier (and hence
not raised Larry Brown's concern) or let the Celtics out of his contract
for less if it weren't for Pitino's infamous: "He (Dino) said he wanted to
go to a contender or a warm weather climate.  So I said, Dino this isn't
Club Med."  It was a good line, but Dino took it personally and ended up
doing everything he could to screw things up for the Celtics.

Jeremy