Re: How to keep Fortson

["Cecil Wright" <cecil@hfx.eastlink.ca>]

----- Original Message -----
From: kevin lok <kevin.lok@lycosmail.com>
To: celtics <celtics@igtc.com>; R. Bentz Kirby <bocelts@usit.net>
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2000 12:28 PM
Subject: How to keep Fortson



>
> Trade AW (when the time's right), not Fortson.
>

It has been mentioned before that Antoine Walker is a young player who is
just really scratching the surface so far as reaching the expectations which
have been placed on him is concerned.  Trading him for draft picks is an
option but would move the organization another step away from competing at
the level we would like.  And then of course is the fact that the draft is a
frigging crapshoot with no guarantees that you would get a player who would
perform at Toine's level.

I think our best option is to build around what we have, because we are not
that far away.  We need a couple players who can contribute at both ends of
the floor off the bench IMHO and we need to develop a defensive consistency
that only comes with repetition.  I understand that some of you wish Pitino
would shut the hell up during the game, but that is not his style.  He's a
hollerer and a screamer on the sidelines.  What, we didn't know that when he
was hired?  I did.

Regarding the unending trade rumors regarding Fortson, I agree with those
who think he merits a shot at some playing time.  Christ, Billups messed up
several times and he still gave him ample opportunities before he was
jettisoned to the Raps.  If Danny is not good in the trapping, pressing
system, the ripper should simply not play him in those situations.  I'd like
to see him used with VP and Toine upfront, and PP and Kenny in the
backcourt.  With that crew, they could foresake the fastbreak, unless they
had numbers, and run a screen and post offensive set.  Fortson could do his
Mr. Clean act, Toine could still work the baseline and VP could be the high
post target.

AG is the 6th man filling in where he's needed.

Cecil