Re: Kevin Willis Update

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

Did I say I would trade Battie/Walker/Denver pick for Willis? No,
I said it's the type of trade(s) Pitino would do. And I wouldn't
write off Willis based on his performance during the strike-shortened
season or the fact he's 37.  He could help the Celtics, in fact, they
need a proven low post scorer like him.  If I were trading for Willis,
I'd offer Battie and a lottery-protected draft choice, but I'm not
the desperate Pitino, who has practically guaranteed a playoff spot,
and may be willing to overpay to accomplish that goal.

Personally, I'd get in touch with Dallas and try to work out a Battie
and 
Potapenko for Bradley deal. He'd be perfect for the Pitino's system and
would really compliment Fortson.
Ray

opi@unesco.org wrote:
> 
> Way Of The Ray wrote:
> 
> > I believe if there is a Kevin Willis to Celtics trade it will
> > involve Antoine Walker for Willis and McGrady. This is in reference to
> > Celtics news group member Roger William's sighting of Willis at
> > Logan Airport Sunday. Willis could have been in town to visit friends
> > or his agent or check out the Ryder Cup, but if it was to conduct
> > a clandestine meeting with the Celtics, the above trade would be
> > the sort of deal pitino would do. An alternative trade would be to
> > send Tony Battie, cap filler and the Denver pick for Willis.
> > The usually reliable inside track has not had any Willis information
> > as pertains to a Ryder Cup appearance, so maybe something is up....
> > Ray
> 
> Kevin Willis is already 37-years-old and managed just .418FG% last year,
> far below his career .495FG%. Some might say he is finished. He had a
> great career IMO.
> 
> If you favor trading Tony Battie plus a Denver 1st round pick for Willis
> at this stage, then I'm glad you are not a GM.  Battie's solid PF numbers
> after Walker went down last season and his confident play at FILA suggest
> he may be a better prospect than Kevin Willis next year and down the road.
> Just my opinion.
> 
> Remember that McGrady is not yet a double figure contributor in either of
> his two NBA seasons, so there is a risk in trading Antoine and building
> around that kid.
> -----
> 
> Bob Miller wrote:
> 
> > >Look at that starting lineup: Hakeem, Sir Charles, Anderson, Steve
> > >Francis and either Pippen or whoever they get in exchange for him.
> >
> > Has any team ever won the championship with a rookie starting point
> > guard? (Even in Magic's rookie year, Norm Nixon was their starting
> > point).
> 
> With that much firepower, you'd think Houston would get more wins starting
> a pure ball distributor point guard. Personally, I think there is still
> plenty of room in the NBA for an impact 6-3 shooting guard, especially one
> will great speed and ball handling skills. More and more you see converted
> NCAA small forwards playing that position, even if they can't dribble or
> defend a great dribbler. IMO, Houston shouldn't pigeon-hole Steve Francis
> with the "point guard or bust" label, unless that kid shows he's really
> very precocious and also unselfish.  The last thing that lineup needs is a
> fifth scorer. It would be a pity to see that much talent fail to mesh as a
> team.
> 
> Joe