Re: FA money and draft

[krai@gis.net]

At 14:15 -0400 5/18/98, gandahlf@capecod.net wrote:
>Dumping Travis is NOT the answer!! Unless we trade him for a large body
>that can rebound and play defense. Travis is a pf in a centers body, the
>major problem is we have to play him at center when he should be playing
>the 4.
>

I didn't say it IS the answer - not because I like him, but because this
whole Travis affair would seem even more stupid than it is.  As for his
real position, I doubt he can REALLY play any position (as opposed to
taking advantage of opportunities because of Shaq's dominance) - at least
not until he acquires some guts in addition to his so-so talent.

>	Secondly, if Pitino's gm skills are in question then please answer this
>question. How did we go from being 10 million over the cap with NO relief
>in sight till at least 1999 to having 5 million to spend this year in the
>free agent market.

It is not at all certain that we have indeed saved this much, so it's
pointless arguing about it until we know for sure.

>Because of his lack of skill as a gm???

I wasn't questioning his skills as a GM (besides, Wallace is the GM), but
as a talent evaluator.  To be frank, I don't think he CAN'T judge talent at
all, I just think he did a poor job of it this year. Maybe his record will
improve; e.g., the Billups-Anderson trade was good (but it was obvious, I
myself suggested it on the list right after Anderson refused to report to
Toronto, and I am sure others had thought of it as well).

>Pitino was
>saddled with the worst possible scenario in 97 to having cap flexibility in
>98. hmmm, sounds to me like he is doing pretty well with the hand he was
>dealt. When Pitino first came on board his statement was "our first goal is
>to put value back in the franchise" second "to give the fans entertainment
>for their dollar" third
>"to build this franchise back to the level of play Boston fans expect"
>By opening 5 million in cap space and improving our win loss record by
>20 games he has done #1. If you can honestly say that the Celtics were not
>more entertaining this year as compared to the past 5 years, We were not
>watching the same team!! As for #3 We will have to wait and see.

You're overgeneralizing my critique of his FA and #3 pick selections; I'm
NOT suggesting all these other things. And OF COURSE the team was better
and more entertaining and he's a good coach and all that stuff.
But the point is, neither the media, nor the fans are calling him on his
many player personell mistakes, and I don't know why that is. Honeymoon
period? His overpowering charm?  Heck, I like the guy a lot, but I'm not
blind to the fact that he must do a lot better in this year's draft/FA
signings for us to improve significantly.

K. Kveraga