RE: Year end moves

[John Lyell <Jlyell@concentric.net>]

On Sunday, March 14, 1999 10:43 PM, Starke R. Farrell 
[SMTP:sfarrell@tsixroads.com]

> I understand the list's frustration when we are currently out of 
contention.  I
> am not ready to give up on the guys that we currently have on the floor,
> however.  Today's game showed a celtics team that is growing , with each 
game.
> Growth includes  periods of instability and losses.
>     I read where list members were down on Antoine for getting a shot 
blocked
> or mercer for passing on a shot in the 4th.  What happened in the game is 
the
> result of a more experienced team executing down the stretch.
>     The team we had o the floor today was solid at 1-5.  The entire team
> executed well.  Potapenko brings us legitimacy at the 5.  This team will 
start
> playing solid b-ball by the beginning of April.
>
>     You don't build a team by treading the upcoming stars you have for
> rookies.  Trading Walker, Mercer or Anderson is not the answer.  We will 
never
> develop chemistry if we keep shuffling players.  I suggest we give this 
unit
> time to gel and then enjoy the product we have waited so long for.
>
>
> You have got to know when to pull the trigger and when your "future 
stars" like Michael Smith, Dee Brown ,Eric Montross, Jim Jackson, Tim 
Thomas, Benoit Benjamin !just aren't going to happen. Mercer is a great 
athlete, but if he can not bring it consistently, or be the clutch shooter, 
you better move him or be satisfied with .500 for many years, as his 
contract will be up soon an he will be wanting 6 yrs $71M.    If the draft 
pick is better, and more mature, than your veteran, you make the deal.  If 
you can't pull the trigger, you will always doubt your ability to spot 
talent.
> Would you trade a Mercer for an Elton Brand or Baron Davis ?  I would. 
 We still need a power 4 & a point. 2's & 3's are easy to get.
>
>
> I believe the Lakers, who many despise,  were quickly rebuilt through 
trades of top veterans (who were determined to be past their prime) for 
rookies, other veterans, and key FA acquisitions, because they wanted to 
play for the Lakers.  Boston is no longer seen as a good place for veteran 
FA's.  Pitino's game plan won't work in the NBA, just like Jerry Tarkanian 
& Paul Westhead gameplans that were successful in college didn't either It 
is much higher level with more disciplined athletes and better team 
passing.
>
> Pitino has not made one extremely positive deal that I can think of.  And 
most of the veterans wanted nothing to do with his system.
>
> If Potapenko can show he can rebound and defend decently, he might be 
worth  $5M a year, this is pretty cheap for a center these days.  It will 
be nice to see who Cleveland gets with our pick to go with Anderson, Sura, 
Knight, Kemp & Ilgauskas.   Francis ?  Szczerbiak ? Odom ? Artest ? 
Hamilton ?  Only time will tell.
>
>
>