Re: '97 draft blew C's ill wind

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

> '97 draft blew C's ill wind
[cut]
>                             In hindsight, Pitino would have been better
>                    off drafting Brevin Knight instead of Billups and
>                    trading the sixth pick for a veteran. Better yet,
>                    Pitino could have beaten New Jersey to the punch
>                    and sent both picks to Philadelphia for the second
>                    pick and taken Van Horn, even though he's tailed
>                    off this season. Either move would have been
>                    criticized at the time, however.

I think this is the most interesting paragraph, because it's the one
that most writers conveniently forget to put in - what was the
alternative? Looks like "draft Brevin Knight third" is the best that
this writer can do, with the benefit of 2.5 seasons of hindsight. Not
particularly impressive.

As for the "Better yet" scenario of trading for Van Horn:
Is there any evidence that Philly would have done this trade? Remember
that they dumped quite a few bad salaries as well for expiring contracts,
which we didn't have. Pitino has said, "We tried everything to get Van
Horn." I would guess that offering the 3rd and 6th picks would have been
included here. It's another example of criticism with no evidence.
While we're at it, why not bash Pitino for refusing San Antonio's offer
of trading Tim Duncan for Pervis Ellison? I mean, it never happened,
but what do I care, I'm a sportswriter!

Alex