Baker, Fortson, or just a good slap?

[damekmo@teleport.com]

>Not really Paul, they still have Horace Grant at PF and thus can use
>Fortson either at center or as a PF, off the bench. It is possible that
>Fortson + pick may not be enough for Baker, in which case RP can
>bolster his offer by offering next year's 1st rounde and a choice of
>any player on the Celtics roster other than  Walker, Pierce, Battie and
>Pot. - Mishra

Mercer, Fortson, Baker....all three make me itch. All of them have talent,
all of them have serious holes in their games. Mercer scoring...Fortson
shorty...Baker tubby. I don't think Mercer's a starting 2 on a team that
goes deep into the playoffs. I think Fortson's a backup whatever. You pick
a position, any position, and if Danny has to play big minutes, the team's
in trouble. Baker? Sometimes you just want to beat the crap out of Gaston,
ML and Pitino...in that order. Fortson, one of the many stiffs, and a draft
pick seems awfully steep for The Round Mound of Playoff Disappointment. But
if you want the team to actually make the playoffs next year, what
frontline do you think gets them there: Pot, Baker, and Walker with Battie
coming off the bench, or Pot, Fortson/Battie, Walker with Fortson/Battie
coming off the bench? Again, I'd rather just beat the crap out Gaston, ML,
and Pitino for the position the team's in, but I suppose if Battie or
Fortson has to be traded, Fortson has more value on the market, so.....you
hold your nose and move Fortson and crap for Baker. Oh Christ...rereading
that sentence makes me sweat "and" itch. How's this: I keep hearing rumors
about Shawn Kemp being unhappy. Kemp could come into camp looking like
Santa Claus and he's still the best player on the court most nights. How
about Fortson, draft picks and a stiff for Kemp? Jesus, how about the team
picks up one more real basketball player and the years of justifiable
ambivalence just end.

Paul M.