Where have the basketball gurus gone?

[Jp <leetjame@pilot.msu.edu>]

I am not a genius.  I am  not up on all the players in the league.  Who is Nash?  Why would anyone want Cheroke Parks?  Why would a rebuilding team look to trade away any of its promising young talent?   why are fans of the most storied franchise in all of sports so eager to rip apart their team just when there is light ahead of them?

	Does anyone have answers to any of these questions?  None of you have been able to name one player worthy enough to be suggewsted in a trade with Antoine Walker.  I joined this list in hopes of learning more about my team.  Yes they are my team.  I grew up in Boston.  I was there in the wonder of the 80's.  I know all the stories about the 60's and 70's from my family.  I  have read every book that even mentions  the Celtics.  I am a (very) minor owner of Boston Celtics' stock.  Come on everyone.  Let's hear some more about what it was Antoine yelled to Billups.  What is the idea behind our extra team captain?  What is the latest word on our injured players?  Is Travis going to be back in full form soon?  Waht about Rogers?  Have we seen all we can from him?  He can't still be out of shape.  Is he in the dog house?  Any real thoughts on the now-you-see-him-now-you-don't Barros?  Sure we can saivate over the prospect of having Damon Stoudamire on the team, but I question why we have any left to salivate after looking at the prospect of our own team.   
	When I  look at our team, I see a team.  yes  we have a super star in Walker, but every player out there, is out there for the team.  Sure Billups is no John Stockton or Marc Jackson, but in our helter  skelter game plan, how can we envision a rookie who would always have the ball.  Be the only one to distribute the ball and garner the majority of the assists.
	Just seems like we spend a lot of time on ideas that are either poorly  thought out or even just mindless dreaming with no chance of fruition.  Last night we tied our win output for all of last season.  Staisicaly we were second to last, but we were the worst team in all of the league last season.  Pitino has come in and is spear-heading a major return to PRIDE!!  I am excited about the games I have seen and will get to see this year.  It would be a dream come true to see these guys in the playoffs this year.  although that is not impossible, it is very very unlikely.With absolutley no changes made, we are a playoff team next year.  
	Here is a question for all of us to answer...waht do we need to be in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2000?  What will get us past Miami?

	John Lyell,  Luc Longley is a very good center.  He does not demand attention.  He has a very big body.  He is fundamentally sound.  He knows how to set a screen.  He picks his shots well.  What do you think his numbers would look like if he had played with Bird?  Sure he has no place on the Celtics of today.  He couldn't keep up with fast pace press.  OR could he?


Any thoughts?


Anyone?



Jp