Re: From Michael Holley.

[damekmo@teleport.com]

>So here's the deal: Mercer, Battie, and future No. 1 to the Clips
>for Taylor and Wright.  Certainly would would solve a lot of the
>C's problems, and with the upcoming draft being rich in shooting
>guard/small forwards, the C's could draft an adequate replacement
>for Mercer.
>
>MG

So what about the Lakers? Eddie Jones isn't happy. Now, I know that winning
can change everything, and they have been winning since Rodman, but if
things go down hill it could be Eddie as trade bait all over again. Rumors
are flying out here on the Rice trade. One rumor is that it's a done deal,
the other is that it's only 50/50. So...how about Eddie in the backcourt
with KA? Now...they'd probably, no, they'd "definitely" have to take "Elden
the Slug" but....perhaps Elden could actually rediscover his game with
Pitino. The guy can play...nobody doubts his ability. Now...I know I've
been preaching "avoid the guy like the plague" but if he knows he's going
to play big minutes every night and be the primary low-post scoring threat
on the team...maybe the guy has a new found incentive to play well more
consistently. I only bring this up because I'd LOVE to see Eddie Jones on
the Celtics. He can score, has "NBA sg range" on his jump shot, and can
actually play defense. I've also moaned about his play in big games, but at
least the guy's gone deep into the playoffs, as opposed to anyone else on
the team. Maybe he becomes another veteran who helps this "painfully young"
team. Maybe you take a chance on Elden to get Jones who, I think, is the
perfect fit at shooting guard for Pitino. I suppose if you're going to
trade Mercer you should get a sure thing in the frontcourt, but the
backcourt defense really isn't any good on this team, and are Wright and
Taylor sure things in the front court? My God...have they made the Clippers
anything to get excited about? Maybe you trade Mercer and others to get a
talented center who's a question mark and an all-star shooting guard, the
"sure thing", before you trade him for two frontcourt players who are both
question marks. Maybe Jerry West sees Mercer as a decent replacement for
Jones. Rice certainly can't play defense any better than Mercer and Mercer
certainly wouldn't demand the ball as much as Rice. Now, I think Josh is
right about Pitino overreacting and the team being tired last night.
However...the trade deadline is approaching and we all know Pitino loves to
shuffle the deck. Is he willing to stay with Mercer, Walker and Pierce and
work through these "painfully young" years? He probably should, and I hope
he does, but I just have a feeling that when he lamented the team's lack of
"talent" on defense, he's signalling that he's about ready to give up and
move someone. Eddie gives you an effective defender even if the offense
isn't working, but...the offense works pretty well most nights. Watch...he
trades Walker for David Robinson. Shoot me now.

Paul M.