Re: Adios Mercer, Hello Vets!

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

You were doing alright, until you mentioned Tyrone Hill.  He's
been moved around a lot recently because he's very whiny.
Some how, not the type of veteran, Pitino wants to add.
Ray


> Subject: Adios Mercer, Hello Vets!
> Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 22:51:02 PDT
> From: "gil moreno" <kuya_g@hotmail.com>
> To: celtics@igtc.com
> 
> First and foremost let me say that I really love Ron Mercer.  Not only
> do I love the way he plays, I also like his attitude and the way he is
> honing his game: Slowly but Surely.  He wants to master the
> fundamentals (medium-range jumpers) before trying out new things
> (three-point shots).  I also love the fact that he wants to be a
> Celtic.
> But let's face it.  If the team really wants to improve in the near
> future changes must be made.  I agree with most guys on the list that
> the team has to get veterans.  And right now it is Mercer who has the
> most "value".  If we want to get a productive player we have to give
> one up also.  Being one of the valuable players with an expiring
> contract (plus the fact he isn't handled by RP compadre David Falk
> anymore)makes him the odd man out, the expendable one.
> And speaking of veteran players,  I hope the Celtics consider Tyrone
> Hill.  OK, OK, before you guys lambast me, try to take into
> consideration the following points:
> 1)  He can rebound  -  He has proven over the years that he can get
> some boards, something we surely need more of.  Aside from AW we do
> not have a consistent rebounder.  But I must commend Battie and
> Potapenko for their vast improvement these last few games.  I hope
> they keep it up.
> 2)  He is a no-nonsense type of player  -  This guy comes to play
> every night.  You won't hear him complaining about this and that. You
> won't see him acting like a brat if he isn't put in the game during
> crunch time.  He is a mature player, another virtue that most players
> on this team could use.
> 3)  He can provide leadership  -  I always say that a could leader
> must lead by example.  With Hill on the team, guys like AW and PP (who
> I feel needs some attitude adjustments)have someone to look upto.
> This guy has been through the wars of the NBA.  He is an All-Star in
> every sense of the word.  He's not the flashy type but he does the
> banging, the blocking, the rebounding, and other stuff that don't show
> on the stat sheet.  He will do anything to help the team win.
> If I were Chris Wallace I would try to pull-off a trade that would be
> something like this:
> 
> Popeye Jones, Greg Minor, Ron Mercer
>              for
> Tyrone Hill, Aaron Mckie, Future first-round lottery pick
> 
> Hill is a more flexible player than Popeye because he can play the
> 4 & 5 positions and he is definitely a better shot blocker.  Mckie is
> an upgraded version of Minor in the sense that he has a better outside
> shot, a better/tougher defender, a better rebounder, and has a wider
> range of offensive moves.  Adding Mercer to the mix is the insurance
> policy here.  Philly may feel that they are getting the shorter end of
> the stick if we just trade Jones and Minor straight-up.  Since they
> won't be getting a lottery pick this year they would be ecstatic to
> get a player like Mercer.
> Another trade I would pull off is Terrel Brandon for Kenny Anderson.
> This would be the sign and trade variety since Brandon is going to be
> a free agent at the end of the season.  I would rather pay Brandon 5M
> a year than Anderson.  Besides, Brandon excelled under a defensive
> minded coach (Mike Fratello) back in Cleveland.  I could say the same
> about Hill.  They had their best years with the Cavs.  I don't think
> they would have a hard time adjusting to Pitino-style basketball.
> With all this done, the starting line-up would look like this:
>            Terrel Brandon   -  PG
>            Paul Pierce      -  SG
>            Antoine Walker   -  SF
>            Tyrone Hill      -  PF
>            Vitaly Potapenko -  C
> With this starting five, we won't have a problem with rebounding.  4
> of the 5 players are good rebounders.  Walker and Pierce will lead the
> offense with adequate support from the other 3 guys.
> The reserves would be:
>            Tony Battie      -  F/C
>            Walter Mcarty    -  F
>            Aaron Mckie      -  SM
>            Bruce Bowen      -  SM
>            Dana Barros      -  PG
> 
> The 11th and 12th man will probably be Pervis and Damon Jones or a
> second-rounder(if we do have one).
> As Scottie Pippen is starting to realize in Houston, to many scorers
> spoil the offense.  When he was still in Chicago it was him and Jordan
> who provided the offense and the rest adapted to their roles.  Right
> now he is the third option on offense and I;m sure he feels he is
> wasting his time on this team.  In our case, we have Walker and Pierce
> to provide the offense and the others must play their roles.  Having
> to many star players will not work (e.g. Knicks, Suns, Sonics).
> Having 2 consitent ones and 10 role players will (e.g. Bulls of last
> season, Jazz, Blazers, post-Rice Hornets).
> This of course is just my opinion.  I just want to see a cohesive
> Celtic team and I believe that the above mentioned line-up can get the
> job done.  And one more thing,  you can forget about aquiring SHAQ!
> 
> 
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