RE: Where have the basketball gurus gone?

[John Lyell <Jlyell@concentric.net>]

I can't remember anyone proposing to "rip apart" the team.  But when you 
have a chance to improve it you can't sit pat with your thumb up your ass 
as we have the last 10 years.  You have to know when it is time to change. 
 Why is it the Lakers are close to reaching the top again, and we are 
fighting for .500 ?  Because they knew when to rebuild, and made some 
better personnel decisions like moving a Vlade Divac  a proven center, for 
Kobe Bryant.

As for Longley, as stated you could probably have replaced him with Stojko 
Vrankovich and the Bulls would still win.  He is an adequate, big body, 
that is a good passer,  but not I the top 10 centers IMO.


Maybe I am asking too much, but I expect more from the 3rd pick in the 
draft.







-----Original Message-----
From:	Jp [SMTP:leetjame@pilot.msu.edu]
Sent:	Saturday, January 03, 1998 12:24 PM
To:	'Celtics'
Subject:	Where have the basketball gurus gone?

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