Re: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Digest V6 #8

[peter delevett <pdelevett@amcity.com>]

I have a real problem with Hot Plate Williams. (Actually, I dislike that
nickname, since I think it's cruel to mock the guy's obvious eating disorder.
But I digress).

Williams not only ate himself out of a job in Washington, he did the same with
the Clippers, where Larry Brown was a big advocate for him. Then, Brown hired
him AGAIN in Indiana, and the same thing happened. If a demanding coach like
Brown couldn't get the guy in gear (not to mention the prospect of all those
lost dollars), why would RP and another bagful of money make any difference?
Sometimes you're just throwing good money after bad -- anybody remember Roy
Tarpley? Besides the weight and motivation issues, Williams also has a balky
knee, AND he's not young anymore; that was 10 years ago he was "one of the
youngest players in the league." I would absolutely, positively, under any
circumstances NOT want to lose Popeye to add Williams. (Besides, how would
that free up any cap room??)

> >
> 
> If Boston signs Hot Plate, Popeye will not be renewed.  Thus, giving the
> C's more cap space.
> 
> >From the 1989 Complete Handbook of Pro Basketball:
> 
> JOHN WILLIAMS 6-9 237 Forward
> Superstar in the making?... Still a baby, was youngest player in the NBA
> for second straight year....Left LSU after sophomore year and Bullets
> grabbed him No 12 on first round in 1986....Awesome raw talent...Has
> played four positions: both forward and guard spots, but hes sttlin in
> at power forward....Experiment to make him Magic East at point guard was
> wisely canned..Gave Pistons problems in the playoffs...Second on team in
> steals (1.43 per)...Jumper needs work..Has to drop some more baby
> fat....Only Bullet to play all 82 games....*snip*
> 
> 86-87 9.2 ppg
> 87-88 12.8 ppg
> 
> sounds good, huh?
> 
> FAST FORWARD>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> 
> >From the 1993 edition of the same handbook
> 
> JOHN WILLIAMS  26  6-9  *280*
> 
> Biggest (literally and figuratively) waste in years....An utter
> disgrace...Blew out his knee in 1989....Basically, has spent three years
> since rehabbing, getting fat and figthing Bullets through arbitration to
> get his paycheck...Did not play at all last year. Suspended by tema
> until he gets to 260..Wants to be traded...Bullets want to trade him but
> UNDER THE BLUBBER, THERE IS TALENT AND THEY'D LIKE SOME VALUE....May
> never play again *snip*
> 
> 88-89 13.7 ppg
> 89-90 18.2 ppg (only 18 games due to injury)
> 90-91 12.5 ppg (33 games)
> 
> I still have to find my 94/95 Handbook wherein he played for the
> Clipps...at any rate, seems to be worth the risk.
 
> 
>