Re: More about Fortson Rumor

[jmc@ptc.com]

David A Wickerham <aw623@freenet.buffalo.edu> said:
> Gatling is a scorer off the bench, and at 6'10, he can hit the three and
> still fill in at C and PF.  He's also a strong rebounder who looks like he
> would be a good fit in place of Fortson. The only downside is he has been
> moved a lot in the past few years.  I seem to remember he had some
> problems in NJ last year. The other plus is his contract runs out in 01.

Gatling may be better than Fortson now, but he's been around a while and 
has reached his potential.  I also hate the way he plays.  He plays dirty 
(annoys the other player into fouling him... flopping to the floor to try 
to draw a foul call, etc.)  and I don't want to see that kind of player 
on the Celtics.  The Gatlings of the world would be much better if they 
just focussed all their mental energy on playing good basketball. 

Fortson is much younger, and with much more potential, and an incredible 
desire to play and improve.  Heinsohn said Fortson regularly stays
after practice an extra hour shooting free throws.  You can already see
his free throw shooting improving.  You can't teach that kind of
desire.  Fortson WILL improve.  He will soon be much better than
Gatling, and he won't have to play dirty to be better.

> We had Derrick Strong who was a mediocre player on a mediocre bench.  He
> will never be anything other than mediocre and I would hate to see us tied
> up with his salary until '03

Agreed.  Fortson is already having more of a positive impact than Derrick 
Strong ever would. 

Jon Mc