If I had a vote, which I don't, I would stand pat with the basic team roster. I don't think any other team is going to "give" us anyone. It's to early to trade the youngsters, their value hasn't been set yet and cap issues. We will not, IMO, be able to trade for upgraded talent unless another team is in the same place as the Cav's were, needing something for nothing like we are with Mercer if he opts out.. (I still think the VP trade was put together by the agent in return for something else as well.) The Stewart debacle shows that the only guy's coming here are those who like Pitino's system. This should be a short list. He probably knows them by first name. A wholesale trade will not upgrade this team. A player here and a player there will. It just has to be the right player, but you can only pick from the available, to the Celt's, pool. You can't sit Mercer or Pierce as a sixth man until you have someone behind one of them who can do at least one thing (Score, defend, rebound etc...) as well as the person your sitting. There isn't anyone who is, right now. I think what needs to be done is for Pitino to get control of the players and make them play his system. Or bench them. Period. They'll have their agent work a trade to get out if they are sitting on the bench not playing. This "system" is about controlling the tempo of the game with defense and looking to score in transition. I like this style of play and would prefer watching the second team play this system then the first teams continuous, one on one attempts with who is shooting the ball dependent on whom got the ball first. There have to be 10 quality basketball players in the NBA today who would like to play this system, in Boston, for the Celtic's, together as a team. I'm not talking of the "Dream Team" here. Just 10 players who can play within themselves while making their teammates on the floor better by trying harder then the opponent. All the time. The beginning of the new season should prove all that the coach's need to know about this roster. The players who are in basketball shape when camp opens can stay, send everyone else home to call their agent. Fill in from there. <Jim
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