FW: Celtics Center update from Bskball.com

["Ozersky, Joshua A" <OzerskyJA@corning.com>]

I don't know what happened.  Parts were missing from the posted version.  Here it is again.

Joshua Ozersky
Marketing Communications
Environmental Products Division
Corning Incorporated.
HP-CB-02-C6A
Corning, New York 14831
Phone:  (607) 974-8124
Fax:      (607) 974-2233



> ----------
> From: 	Ozersky, Joshua A
> Sent: 	Tuesday, August 10, 1999 11:22 AM
> To: 	'celtics@igtc.com'
> Cc: 	'sptguy33@aol.com'
> Subject: 	Celtics Center update from Bskball.com
> 
> 
> 
> Locked and Loaded
> 
> It has been a tough offseason for Celtics fans -- simultaneously trying and noneventful.  Even the spectacular good news of an immensely lopsided trade for Ron Mercer with the Denver Nuggets could not be fully enjoyed, because it was immediately followed up by a terrifying rumor that the team was considering trading Antoine Walker, its best player and greatest asset, for a couple of mediocre veterans and a late round draft pick.  Amazingly, the other team refused this trade, and so the Celtics appear primed for the devastating playoff run we have all been predicting since the arrival of Pitino two years ago.  But first it's necessary to backtrack.
> 
> The departure of Ron Mercer had been considered a fait accompli by Celtics fans at least since the end of last season, when the lanky youth turned himself into a contract-seeking missile guided by a sadly deluded and amateurish Pimp-Bot wannabe in the employ of rapper Master P.  That Mercer should have fired David Falk to hire such a dilletante suggested that he had lost contact with reality -- or more accurately, that the flattery in his ear from these bad influences was difficult to resist.  Mercer's shortcomings as a player -- his hesitancy to rebound, pass, defend, shoot 3-pointers, or take it to the rack in traffic -- were exacerbated just as Paul Pierce was coming into his own.  So Ron had to go, and money was a convenient excuse.  But a sadistic trading moratorium imposed by the league caused Celtics fans to hunger desperately for news and rumors for the entire month.  A number of trades were rumored, including one for Samaki Walker of Dallas and dallas's first round pick.  This seemed about the be
> 
> The Celtics now have the personnel in place to make their playoff run.  Two great do-everything players in Walker and Pierce; a physical, punishing center in Vitaly Potatpenko; a pure rebounder in Danny Fortson; a long fast shot blocker in Tony Battie (a role which Theo Ratliff and Marcus Camby have shown to be invaluable for playoff success); proven bench scorers in Eric Williams, Dana Barros, and recently signed Calbert Cheaney; and more-than-adequate backups in Adrian Griffin, Walter McCarty, and Wayne Turner.  The only question mark is Kenny Anderson, who will either be a dervish of uptempo passing or > will > ride the bench until he can be traded for a bag of Funyons.  The Celtics are as loaded with talent as any team in the conference, from 1-12:  the only question is whether they can play together and stay together long enough to become serious contenders.  So what Celtics fans have to fear most now is that either Rick Pitino will trade one of our good young players away in an act of managerial sur
> 
> If the Celtics under Rick Pitino are to make hay in the 21st Century NBA, this is the team it is going to happen with.  There is no chance of winning without a talent like Walker, and there is no way to get a talent like Walker in return unless Walker starts producing, in which case it would be stupid to trade him.  If that happens, and if Kenny Anderson can play uptempo ball, and Paul Pierce can diversify his offense.....and if the Organization doesn't blow up this wonderful team they have put together....this can be the year the Celtics return to glory.  And I mean glory.  Not one round and out glory -- but deep into the playoffs, since we now play in such a shady conference.  This is the make or break year for the Celtics.  I think that once Pitino can spend his time coaching instead of stewing or talking on cel phones, all will be right again.  But for my part, I am lobbying the NBA for a one year trading moratorium to begin immediately.
> 
> Joshua Ozersky
> Marketing Communications
> Environmental Products Division
> Corning Incorporated.
> HP-CB-02-C6A
> Corning, New York 14831
> Phone:  (607) 974-8124
> Fax:      (607) 974-2233
> 
> 
> 
>