Potapenko trade

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

I've heard various reports about the first round pick to be
given up. It will be a first round draft pick in one of the
next three years with the Cavs having the choice. I believe 
the game telecast mentioned that it was lottery protected 
this year, while ESPN.com reports that it is protected if it 
is in the top three this year. 

One thing about comparing stats of Declercq and Potapenko:
Boston just plays a more uptempo game than Cleveland in general
and it causes some statistical inflation. For example, I think
Boston scores and gives up about 10% more points and gets 
and gives up about 20% more rebounds that Cleveland. With that
in mind, Potapenko, as a starter, averages 9.3 ppg (43% fg)
and 6.4 rpg in 32 mpg. 

Is he a legit big man? He has some potential to be one down the
road, at least. As for giving up the first rounder, I really
don't care at this point. We still have two in the next three
years and that is plenty to fill out backup positions, etc.
At least Pitino is taking a risk and trying to improve the team.

One thing that Pitino said about his first unit was that he 
didn't envision using them to press too much because Walker and
Anderson were just not players suited for pressing, in the same
way that Pitino wouldn't envision Larry Bird as a press defender.
I imagine that Potapenko doesn't fit into the press scheme either.
He won't be a factor in the fast break offense either but none
of our current centers really are either.

Alex