Re: Walker for Ratliff rumor continues

["Jaime Salud Castillo, Jr." <jaims@philonline.com>]

If ever we're trading Vitaly and Antoine, I'd rather have in return a Gieger
and Ratliff.  That, to me is equal!
----- Original Message -----
From: Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>
To: <celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Friday, December 03, 1999 2:07 AM
Subject: Walker for Ratliff rumor continues


> From the Philadelphia Inquirer:
>
> Reports that had the Boston Celtics swapping center Vitaly Potapenko and
> Antoine Walker to the Sixers for Tyrone Hill and Larry Hughes don't appear
> to be accurate.
>
> However, sources for both organizations confirmed yesterday that the
> Celtics are interested in sending Walker to Philadelphia in a one-for-one
> swap for Ratliff and that they have made that known to the Sixers.
>
> "They know we love Antoine, and we know they love Theo," Brown said.
> Celtics coach "Rick Pitino has wanted Theo for ages, but nothing's going
on."
>
> That's because of something called base-year compensation. For any player
> who receives a new contract worth more than 120 percent of his previous
> year's salary, the team that picks him up is prohibited from getting
> market value for that player in return.
>
> --
>
> This is really a bombshell in my mind, that their coach is actually
> quoted in the paper confirming interest. I wonder about the Walker+V
> for Ratliff and Hughes rumor (the writer accidentally substituted
> Hill for Ratliff evidently) because it would be trading our 4 and 5,
> which are our weakest positions, for a 4/5 and 2. I keep hearing about
> Hughes' talent (just like McGrady) but when I see them play, I'm
> impressed on occasional plays but come away generally disappointed.
> It's probably how other teams' fans come away watching Antoine, except
> that Antoine is much more productive than either of these guys.
>
> Anyways, a straight Ratliff for Walker trade would make more sense
> in completing each team's starting lineup although wouldn't be as good
> talent-wise if you believe all the hype about Hughes. Personally, I'd
> rather keep an average starting-quality center (Potapenko) than another
> talented but unproven guard. Anyways, the Sixers need a secondary
> scorer who can take the load off of Iverson but not interfere with him.
> Walker's ability to create and pass (in theory) as well as play inside
> would complement Iverson. Ratliff would provide the shotblocking
> presence that has been missing for the Celtics and provide some more
> depth at the big man positions.
>
> If Walker continued his current rather poor play, you'd have to say the
> deal would improve the Celtics (although where the scoring came from
> might become an issue). At the same time, you'd probably see Walker
> step up his play under Larry Brown, making us all curse the deal.
>
> Alex
>
>
>