Re: Walker trade

["Greg Odegaard" <gmodegaa@longvred.rmc.com>]

Mark this is an excellent anaylsis of the "situation".  I too would rather
keep AW, and try to find a quality starting center somewhere on the market,
but having seen Wallace for a couple of years here in Portland, I have
liked what I have seen for the most part, when healthy.  Can he play center
against every other body out there, not likely, but he is going to be OK,
IMO, about 3/4 times.  I have said many times that all but a half dozen
teams in this league have got some need for center, and championships have
been won without a Russell, Wilt, Kareem or Hakeem in the middle.  With
that said, the Blazers would have to take a couple cap drains, just to
swing the deal, therefore we would come out ahead, in theory, by virtue of
this fact alone.

On balance:

AW is a 7 (10 being LB, etc., potential included)
RW is a 5 (yes this probably makes him look "average", but Travis would be
a 2)
Throw in the +4 to +6 (or maybe more) we would then pickup in a FA move and
the balance in definately in our favor.  I know the formula idea is
simplistic, but I have long looked at trades for a +/- scenario and
comparing relative values of players in the league can assist in this
effort.  

BTW on the arbitrators big ruling, why in the heck should it take a full
month to make this kind of decision?  Is this guy sitting around, mulling
over the facts for 30 days only to come his high and mighty decision at the
last minute.  The courts decide the fate of men and families every day,
without dragging out the enevitable.  With the balance of the season, or at
least start of, hanging in the balance, it is a joke this guy couldn't rule
on this matter inside of week, let alone a couple of days.  Who bought his
throne anyway.

Later,
Greg

----------
> From: Mark Berry <mberry@journalink.com>
> To: celtics@igtc.com
> Subject: Walker trade
> Date: Tuesday, October 06, 1998 1:16 PM
> 
> 
>           I've been lurking through the summer because all this
>           lockout garbage and philosophical nonsense (you know who you
>           are Noah) bore me to tears.
> 
>           But when, finally, we had a basketball-related nugget thrown
>           in there, my ears perked up. I'm starting to feel training
>           camp withdrawal.
> 
>           Anyway, I thought I'd weigh in on the Walker-to-Portland
>           rumor.
> 
>           First, let me say that I'm in favor of signing Antoine and
>           keeping him here for a long, long time.
> 
>           But...of all the rumors and speculation I've heard
>           concerning AW's future, I have to say this one seems to make
>           the most sense.
> 
>           Look at it: Rasheed Wallace is a center playing small
>           forward on a team loaded with centers and power forwards.
>           Antoine is a small forward of power forward on a team
>           desperate for a center. Both players are young, athletic and
>           bring dynamic skills to a team.
> 
>           Wallace's numbers aren't what Antoine's are, but he's always
>           been on a better team. He's never had to be the primary
>           scoring option, although I'm sure he could be. I've been a
>           backer of his for some time now and believe he could be a
>           dynamite center in this league -- in the Alonzo Mourning
>           class -- if used properly. His rebounding numbers are down
>           because he's had to go out on the floor to cover small
>           forwards or to clear space for Sabonis and Grant on the
>           offensive end. Put him in the middle and he'd put up better
>           rebounding numbers.
> 
>           By contrast, Antoine's rebounding numbers are inflated
>           because he plays on a small front line without a true center
>           and he pulls down several rebounds each game almost by
>           default. Put him at small forward alongside Grant and
>           Sabonis, and AW's rebounding numbers will drop.
> 
>           The Blazers would have a dynamic front court, while the
>           Celts would have the young, athletic center they need. We'd
>           have to include several cap "problems" to make the salaries
>           work, which also benefits us. It might enable us, with a
>           little creativity, to make an offer to another power forward
>           -- say a Gugliotta or, if you want to risk it, a Coleman. Or
>           we could settle for Popeye at that spot.
> 
>           Anyway, I know it's all just speculation, but at least it's
>           not ruminations on "hard caps" or Marxism as it relate to
>           today's NBA.
> 
>           Feeling better,
> 
>           Mark