Re: TSN celtics report

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

"Berry, Mark S" wrote:
> 
> I don't know Ray, is Moiso any more of a gamble than Kenyon Martin, a 6-7
> power forward coming off a serious injury? 

I was never that high on Martin, whom is essentially Bo Outlaw with more
offensive skills. There's several players in this draft who could turn
out to be better pros.

Or Chris Mihm, a 7-footer who can
> move and shoot, but who reminds me more of Kevin Willis than Tim Duncan?

You mean those dinosaur arms... Mihm might surprise, should at least
be solid. Good shotblocker.

> Marcus Fizer could be Gary Trent.

Could be. Trent's pretty good when he's not frequently injured.

 Mike Miller could be Billy Owens.

Definitely needed another year of school, but if you're going to be
drafted in
the top ten picks, you might as well get an early start on your next
contract.

 And how
> do we know these high schoolers will ever dedicate themselves enough to pan
> out?

Might have to disagree with you on this one. Those that are usually good
enough
to be drafted in the first round, seem to turn out to be good players,
in sort of a survival of the fittest.
 
> No, the more I look at this draft, the more convinced I become that the
> Celts are fine where they are. I know I wouldn't be shocked if Jerome Moiso
> turned out better than Marcus Fizer or Chris Mihm. 

Could happen with Moisu or he could be Battie all over again.
Bust-or-break-out
-potential big time.

Or if Tsakalidis was
> better than Mihm.

Seems to be a tougher player with apparently no chance of being
available for the
C's.

 Or if Dermar Johnson was better than Mike Miller.

That could happen too.

 This
> just seems like one of those years when having a high pick doesn't really
> mean that much. I think it's a deep draft, but not especially strong at the
> top.

Well, Miles and Swift might be worth trading up for and Pryzbilla is
the type of shotblocker, the C's need. And Tsakalidis seems to possess
atypical European meaness. Must have hung out with Parisian waiters.
 
> Now, would I encourage the Celts to trade up if they could do it without
> losing Walker or Pierce?

I'd trade up to lose Walker. 

 Sure I would. And I'd definitely encourage them to
> explore trades for veterans. But if the Celts come away with Moiso, a 6-11
> leaper with a face-the-basket game and big upside, with the 11th pick, then
> I think they've done pretty well.

Unless of course he turns out to be Battie redux. Then by mid-season,
you'll
wonder why they didn't draft Olumide.

 
> By the way, I think the Bulls are in perfect position. If I were Jerry
> Krause, I'd love to nab Przybilla with the fourth pick and
> Miller/Johnson/Miles with the seventh. And yet he apparently has offered 4 &
> 7 to Jersey for No. 1 (with his eyes on Mihm).

Jerry's a talented fiend, when it comes to assessing talent. 

 The Nets would be nuts not to
> take that offer,

Nuts and the Nets frequently appear in the same sentence.


 if you ask me. Przybilla is just what they need, and they
> could add a swingman with the later pick. You know, they could have had me
> as Prez and GM for a fraction of what they gave Rod Thorn.

That's true, but Thorn is a pretty good addition too.
Ray

> Mark