defining trade? -Reply

[Ryan Falcone <FalconeR@nvg.com>]

Alex:

This assessment of the trade is RIGHT ON THE MONEY. 

Ryan


>>> Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu> 08/03/99 12:53pm >>>
I have to think that this may be the defining trade of Pitino's career
as a GM. The Billups trade was important but was essentially giving up
an ineffective point guard for an ineffective point guard. This trade
is both riskier and more ambitious. Five years down the road it could
be absolutely awful - Mercer develops a one-on-one game and/or a
three 
point shot and becomes the next Allan Houston; Fortson really proves to
be too short; and Denver makes the playoffs - or it could be awesome -
Fortson becomes Dennis Rodman with more offense; Celtics' draft pick 
turns into a superstar point guard; and Mercer remains a solid but limited
swingman.

It's nice that Mercer and Billups are reunited since they seemed to 
have developed a friendship during their brief tenure together in Boston.
On paper Denver actually has a very solid looking starting lineup with
excellent future prospects. But they may have the same problems as
Boston
has suffered - too many shooters. 

Alex