Potapenko

[peter delevett <pdelevett@amcity.com>]

If we do make this trade, I would sure hope it's more than Pierce for
Potapenko straight up. Make them at least give us Wesley Person (would love
his shooting touch) and take someone like Minor off our hands. As I've said
repeatedly, I do like Potapenko's size and low-post scoring, but I don't know
that he is quick enough to play in our system -- he played only 17 mpg last
year for CLeveland, which was running an uptempo game -- and as I've also
said, his rebounding and shotblocking suck. Get him to be the big body in the
post, but Pierce could give us so much more. I'll hold out hope they can sign
Michael Stewart and not have to deal PP. Unlike many on this list, I think
Popeye would be most effective for us backing up Walker -- keep AW at the
four, where he seems to have an advantage, give Popeye 20 mpg or so, with a
few of those at center (if Rodman and Antonio Davis could play center, Popeye
can). Make Battie beat out Stewart or Jones for playing time, but DON'T deal a
kid who could be a poor man's Scottie Pippen!


Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 11:27:06 -0500
From: Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Jackie MacMullan: Celtics Should Trade Pierce For Potapenko Or Any
Big Man

On WEEI, MacMullan indicated that Paul Pierce may not be long in
Celtic nation.  She said that they should trade Pierce for Potapenko
or some other big man.  Her reasoning was with Ron Mercer now locked
into
a long term salary slot, you can move Pierce for a big man.  There was
some 
debate as to whether to deal Pierce now with his stock so high, or wait.
Jackie gave strong indications that we should not be surprised if Pierce 
is dealt.

Perhaps the impending Pierce trade will be the subject of the strangely
absent Michael Holley, who's been AWOL the last few days. 

Ray