A couple thoughts

[Chris Littlefield <chris@mjr.com>]

Hey, folks,

	It's been a little while, but I thought I'd ring in.  I must admit
that I am very pleased with Anderson, as the list itself generally seems to
be.  I guess I am a little surprised to hear folks talking about regretting
this trade in 3-5 years.  Had we traded for the 32 year-old Pippen I would
have agreed wholeheartedly.  But Anderson is 27.  From what I've been able
to gather both through watching and reading about the NBA, the accepted
'prime' of an NBA player's career is roughly 27-31, and I see evidence of
that prime extending further past that in certain cases.   Look at the
following players who are 31 or over who are still operating at a level
only slightly removed, if at all, from when in their "prime":

Michael Jordan (35)
Scottie Pippen (32)
Karl Malone (34?)
John Stockton (35)
Rod Strickland (31)


Kevin Johnson (injury-prone, but when on, _very on_), Barkley, Olajuwon,
Drexler, and others I'm sure I'm forgetting should also be on that list.

	My point is, there is life after 30 in the NBA, and in the meantime
we have the wonderfully talented Kenny Anderson entering the prime of his
career being asked to run an offense seemingly tailor-made for his skills.
My goodness, but he is a wonderful passer in transition!  Earlier in the
season, I had been repeatedly incensed watching Mercer tear up the wing, a
full step ahead of the pack, only to have to pull up and wave his arms to
no avail as the Celtic bringing the ball up with his head down would make a
1 on 3 drive.  More often than not, Kenny makes it just...look...easy!
He's setting everyone up beautifully.  I have seen not only Walker and
Mercer, but Declerq, Minor and Knight on the receiving ends of 'big-smile'
passes, where the player's just so happy, he has no time to think about
roaring or wiggling. He just runs back up the court with a big grin on his
face.  And Anderson more often than not has a pretty big smile on his face
as he backs down the court.

	I'm worried a little about his defense, his health, and a little
bit of a tendency to think too much offense.  I'll also be keeping an eye
on his attitude. But the effect of his presence on the team; the infectious
passing, the increased scoring, the waves of green and white sprinting on
the break with the knowledge that if they get open, they _will_ get the
ball for an easy hoop, more than balances out the areas of concern.  He's
worth it.  I wish Chauncey well, but Kenny Anderson puts this team years
ahead in its development.

	Folks worry about his health.  Frankly, I don't know whether Pitino
has been lucky or good, but this team has had remarkably few injury
problems.  Pervis' ankle is the only long-term injury I can think of.  My
hope is that an off-season regimen for Kenny will put set him up to return
to All-Star form next year.

	My little predictions (of course my last prediction was that the
C's would win no more than 20-25 games this season) follow:

1)  We will fall just shy of the playoffs.  In my heart of hearts I want
them to get in so bad I can taste it, and I've learned not to underestimate
Pitino's will, but I just don't see it.

2) Pitino will seek to upgrade in the draft and get more cap space by
trading a Barros (maybe even a Minor if Greg continues to play well) and
the C's draft pick for a pick in return.

	There's a small chance this could get the C's a top 5 pick.  I know
it's a pipe dream, but if we could land a top 5 pick and a couple more
million $ in cap space, we would end up with a long-term forward to go
alongside Antoine, and an Isaac Austin/Matt Geiger type free agent.  Then
all we have to do is resign Antoine, which I'm pretty much certain will
happen.  Walker wants his bucks, but he also wants to win, and knows
staying hooked with Pitino is the best way to do that.  I don't think he'll
go to Chicago.  He's mentioned a couple times that Chicago's management's
treatment of the players has left a sour taste in more than a few players'
mouths.

	Or...depending on how legit this Olowokandi guy is, we could draft
him at center and see if we could wrangle ourselves one Mr. Tom Gugliotta.

	Gee, that wouldn't be bad, would it?


Chris