Re: FA money and draft

[Sherry & Hart <hartleyo@ix.netcom.com>]

> 
> 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.
> 

I agree after you replace his guts, maybe we can also do a heart
transplant.

> 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.

I kind of agree with you ,but we were 1 of 2 in the draft, but the truth
of the matter is that he took a team over that was significantly
horrible, in fact if it wasn't for the Wesley/Fox combo, they probably
would have had been the Denver of 1997(struggling to win 9 games i/o 15)
but instead of trying to plug up a lot of holes, he dumped just about
that whole bunch in the trash and started from scratch. On the whole he
did alright but he arguably made 2 mistakes; Billups who almost every GM
as well as most on this list thought he was a can't miss intead of just
another ok player who was as it turned out should have been a #15-20
pick in the draft and probably will turn out to be a decent backup in
the mold of BJ Armstrong and Pooh Richardson. When you think about it
how many point guards come directly out of college and make an impact
and are above average(Magic and Isaah come to mind) without a couple of
years of NBA playing time, Payton took almost 3 years and he is the best
playing today. So, I for one will not fault him on this especially since
we acquired Anderson for Billups.
His biggest mistake was the signing of Travis, who right now is the
albatross around his neck, but go back in your memory, most of people on
this list, were dancing in the street when he was signed. He is just an
adequate backup nothing more, nothing less and all we can hope for is
that after his third year(unless he is as stupid as he is marginal) he
uses his out clause. 
Lets just hope he drafts a surprise big guy that is better than DQ, I
personally think that there is no one in the draft that is better, but
Pitino and Wallace know more than I or anyone on this list do and I also
think that by his comments he will try to draft an instant offense type
or try to package the 10 pick and a roster player for someone in the Rex
Chapman/Dale Ellis mold or a free agent signing of a (probably not
possible) McDyess/Gugliotta type.   

Regards,
Hart