Re: Mercer at small forward

["Jim Meninno" <jim_meninno@hotmail.com>]

>From: Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>
>
>Mercer actually did play a bit of small forward for the Celtics over
>the past few years. I can see why Issel is projecting Mercer at small
>forward because they had no depth there at all last year. They were
>playing Eric Washington and Bryant Stith there last year, who should
>both probably be shooting guards (and smaller ones than Mercer).
>I suppose the addition of McCloud should help their SF depth.
>But they don't have many choices; are they going to bench Chauncey
>Billups who was Issel's prize acquisition in his first year?

We're not talking about Mercer filling in at forward for a minute or two 
here, although I can't say I even remember that happening last year.  Seems 
to me, Minor and Bowen were used at forward and not Ron.  What we're talking 
about is Ron logging major forward minutes alongside a backcourt that is no 
bigger than Kenny and Marlon Garnett (ie. NVE and Chauncey).  I'm no expert 
on Raef LaFrentz, but I don't believe he's the most physical big man around, 
either.  I know this is the Western Conference, but when is the last time a 
three guard lineup ever amounted to anything.  How do you think Ron's going 
to look matched up with Shareef or Antoine?  Does he know how to defend in 
the post at all?  Does he know where the post is?  When's the last time you 
saw an all-star forward with zero inside moves?  Denver's lack of inside 
options is irrelevant.  If that were a concern to them, they wouldn't have 
traded Fortson and Williams for a guard and a forward who's an unknown due 
to injury.  Issel obviously considers Mercer a "three", or he wouldn't have 
made the trade.  I guess it's just that in Denver the "three" is another 
guard.  Must be the altitude.

Jim


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