Re: Vitaly's Summer Vacation -Reply

[j.hironaka@unesco.org]

Ryan Falcone wrote:

> That doesn't mean that I feel that Vitaly is a stiff, but you fail to
> differentiate between critics of Potapenko's game and critics of the
> specific trade logistics.
>
> Ryan

The trade obviously helped both teams, certainly Cleveland. No question it helps
Cleveland.

But even had we known in advance how horrible the Celtics would be this year
(thus giving up a very likely #4 through #8 pick), the trade is still a
no-brainer for our Celts. Imagine how much more bleak our situation would be if
we went into this draft/offseason with one of our career backup power-forwards as
the starting center. Pitino would have had no choice but to trade one or more of
our young "assets". No ifs, ands or buts.

I think that's Josh's point. Most sportswriters will look at this trade and
conclude that that we were desperate and got swindled by Wayne Embry. That's
exactly what Peter May is gleefully suggesting. Yet the Celts managed to retain
their three best players plus protection on the top three picks in this draft.


p.s. I wonder if Pitino actually learned his lesson or feels lucky that he
couldn't successfully trade Battie for Rodney Rogers. Thank goodness Pitino was
unaware of the rule changes. We can probably sign Rogers this summer at 1
million, if Pitino loves him so much.