Re: what does Grant to Heat mean to Celtics?

["Jim Meninno" <Jim_Meninno@hotmail.com>]

----- Original Message ----- From: Joe Hironaka <j.hironaka@unesco.org>

> In terms of productivity, teams are better off with a guy who is tall
enough
> (6-8 and above), has a thick base and who's play isn't defined by
athleticism
> but by hunger. But the fact is a lot of GMs these days would still draft
an
> unproven 6-11 super athletic, leaper over a productive college player with
a
> Charles Oakley or Karl Malone physique.

Joe, I think it's more than just tall skinny guys, or even "tweeners" in
general.  GMs are always better off drafting talent, preferably multiple
talents, but, yes, even just one proven skill, and desire/work-ethic over
"measureables".  E.g.. the "big not-necessarily-white stiff" phenomenon is
just as common as your "tall skinny athlete" syndrome.  Eric Montross, and
countless other 7'0" busts, certainly have a "thick base" and are not
tweeners.  I guess I'm saying that I don't think it's necessarily true that
the tall skinny athlete is more apt to be a bust than any other "category"
of player.  It just might seem that way because of all the low-talent tall
skinny athletes that have played for Boston over the last few years.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about it.  This experiment is reaching its
final stages.  Especially if Pitino manages to acquire Jermaine O'Neal.  If
that happens, there's no way to blame any failures on "not being athletic
enough".

Jim