Re: Demand Croshere and Bender for Walker

[Joe Hironaka <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

    I assume Chris Mullin is part of the scenario in order to match salaries, but
that he will retire once the trade is announced. Mullin is the anti-thesis of
what Pitino needs on defense next year. This trade, which I regard as hot air, is
basically a Walker for Croshere straight up offer.

    Now who would you rather have next year as a defensive liabilty at power
forward, Croshere or Fortson? I've watched my Fortson tapes and I really think
the manner in which we write off his skills is just our way of rationalizing in
order to help us get over the fact that better head coaches in Orlando, LA, NY
etc. actually covet the kid.

    Getting back to Croshere-Walker, this trade basically puts Boston in a good
position to make a serious run for the top lottery pick next year, which might
not be such a bad thing. Of course Pitino might throw those picks away to also
add a Wahad to the mix. He said he was going to be aggressive this summer and
I'll take him for his word.

Joe

p.s. Can anyone tell me how Jonathan Bender played in the Shaw league. I didn't
hear much about him. There were a lot of mixed feelings about Bender upside at
the time he was drafted. TSN was particularly critical of his abilities and the
inevitable comparisons to Kevin Garnett.

----

DJessen33@aol.com wrote:

> Just a thought.
>
> I can see why the Pacers would really like Walker. First, they have an
> exception that they have to use by August 1 or they lose it. Second. Walker
> would be perfect for a veteran team like the Pacers. They have a guy who can
> knock melon heads like Walker in Davis. They have a Dream teamer in Miller.
> They have a veteran point guard who has seen it all in Jackson. They just
> need something they give them another step up against the Lakers. Walker
> provides all of that. He has an intense desire to win. He can pass. He can
> score. He can rebound. He can do it all but yet he can be a  punk. That is
> why he is perfect for the Pacers and terrible for the Celtics. It is too bad
> the Celtics don't have these kind of Pacer players and all we needed was a
> Walker type of player. That is the way it used to be.
>
> However, to get it done, I would demand Croshere and Bender. Croshere didn't
> start and Bender may not contribrute for a couple more years. The Pacers have
> another good year and maybe more if Walker can get his role set by the Pacer
> veterans. I think you have to look at what the Pacers are looking at instead
> of what we are looking at. Maybe I am overestimating Walker. Maybe not...
>
> DJessen33