Re: From Michael Holley.

["Cecil Wright" <cecil@hfx.andara.com>]

I love Ron Mercer, but if I can get my hands on Eddie Jones, I'd have to
think about it.  I fail to see the need in the front court for the Lakers
for Merc if the get Rice.  They just signed Fox to a deal.

Cecil

-----Original Message-----
From: damekmo@teleport.com <damekmo@teleport.com>
To: celtics@igtc.com <celtics@igtc.com>
Date: Wednesday, March 03, 1999 5:52 PM
Subject: Re: From Michael Holley.


>>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.
>
>
>