Re: Pitino Basically Says No Boston/Denver/LA Deal

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

Thndrblt31@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 7/26/00 3:47:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> wayray@ix.netcom.com writes:
>
> << ``If it happens, honestly, I'm going to be happy,'' Abdul-Wahad said
>  last night. ``I'm not going to complain. It's the Boston Celtics.
>
>  ``They really like me. They like my game. I like their coach. I'm not
>  difficult. How can you be difficult if the Boston Celtics want you to
>  play for their team. It's like the Yankees. Ultimately, it's going to
>  turn (around) for Boston.'' >>
>
> I love this kid.
>
> Thndrblt31

    I would think Abdul-Wahad may just be repeating word-for-word from Rick
Pitino's recruitment sales pitch (I have no doubt Croshere and Mercer could
repeat the same exact expressions).  If put on the spot, Abdul-Wahad might
not even know the names of any Hall of Famers who have played for the Red
Sox and Yankees. He was born and raised in Evreux, France.

Joe

p.s. As for the Clippers "killing the deal" (because it forces them to take
on more guaranteed contracts than roster spaces with the addition of Keon
Clark and Dana Barros), the only way this trade could be rekindled by
August 1st is for Pitino to say "what the heck, let's throw in our other
first rounder to compensate the Clippers for their troubles!" No but
seriously, even if Pitino offered who knows how many first round draft
picks for Jermaine O'Neil, I honestly don't think he would be reckless
enough to give up two first rounders for Abdul-Wahad. If the kid had decent
stats or was 7 feet tall, Pitino might be able to spin it to the Boston
public but that's just not the case. This is about a kid whose market value
is probably only slightly more than 2.25 million. It is not worth
mortgaging the future for (even one draft pick in a banner year).

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