Oh, what the hell.

[damekmo@teleport.com]

>I bet yesterday's trade made it a lot less likely that Antoine will be traded.

Oh, what the hell. I have a few minutes before I leave for work. I had just
the opposite reaction concerning the Fortson trade and Antoine. While I'm
really impressed with Bill Cooper's analysis of Fortson's "foul troubles,"
let's all remember that a game against the Nuggets was considered a "night
off" given the rigors of last year's 50 game schedule. I'm not saying that
young Danny can't rebound. I just don't believe that Danny is able to stay
on the court playing big minutes along side Battle Ship Vitaly without
getting into foul trouble. I know young Danny can rebound. He's an
aggressive bruiser on the boards. But I just don't believe that Pitino
thinks he starts at power forward. I think Fortson is the perfect back up
at power forward. I think Ray is right. Pitino plays Tony at sf and Dale
Davis at pf with Fortson coming in off the bench. Pitino wants to play a
Blazer-like frontcourt. I was driving around Seattle when this trade was
announced and my first reaction was, "Goodbye Antoine!" And before you all
jump on Mishra's back, let's not forget that some of us live out here on
the west coast and have seen Danny play a few times.  And before you jump
on my back, I'm not saying I don't like Danny Fortson. But, Jackie
McMullan's right. Danny can rebound with anybody. But there is a question
about whether his size, his lack of size against mobile taller power
forwards, doesn't make him, how should I put this, a "foul target,"
especially late in games. There is a question about his capabilities on
defense, and nobody's staying up late wondering how they're going to keep
him from scoring. Dale Davis can score, rebound, and defend. He's the
starting veteran power forward that Pitino lusts after. Now, if I'm right,
and this trade just signals the arrival of Dale Davis at the expense of
Antoine Walker, I think you know how I feel about this trade. But, for
now...I'm holding my tongue.

Paul M.