Yesiree. It Could Happen.

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

Yesiree

Peter May will report in tomorrow's Boston Globe of a name to
to think about in the NBA draft.  He's a 19 year old, 6-9 native of
Nigeria, 
who played for Dirk Nowitzki's old team in Germany, is a work in
progress, 
is an "ath-a-lete" and "has, as the scouts love to say, a big
upside..."  

Yes, it's Olumide Oyedeji, and it's nice of Peter to clue 
us in about him.  Except we already knew this about two months back. 
Oh well, someone please hook Peter up to the internet, but welcome him
to
the Big O2 bandwagon any way. And since May Day has jumped aboard, it's
time to start envisioning him in a Celtics uniform, because that's
what I think is the hidden gist of May's blurb in the Globe....


It Could Happen

Yes, it could, and it involves the Celtics drafting JR Rider-wannabee,
girlfriend-smacking, and all-around rapscallion Courtney Alexander at
11, and then trading him (and other considerations) to a team higher 
up in the lottery in a switch of picks. And Alexander could be
available, 
because the consensus of experts and the mock drafters seems to be 
that he is going to be selected by Orlando at 10. 

But what if they bypass him?  Do the Celtics dare pass on him and his
trade 
value?  Probably not, as some of the teams drafting ahead of the Celtics
are 
definitely in need of a bonafide, big time, immediately ready for the
NBA, 
madman type of scoring guard.  So, you say, if that's the case, why
don't 
one of those clubs just draft him?

Well, there's the problem with his reputation, and the fact that a team
may
not feel they can justify it to their fans or the local media, who are
going to
question his character, if say he was chosen in the top seven.  But if
they
can deal down for him at 11 and pick up a future draft choice in the
mix, 
well they may feel that will be easier to sell to the fans and media. 
Or they may like him, but just want him at a lower salary scale, and the 
future draft choice is always a nice addition.

Whatever the case, if the Celtics take Courtney, don't expect them to
keep 
him, as the media will crucify Pitino, and the team doesn't need anymore 
negativity, but they do need a way to acquire a big center like 
Pryzbilla or Tsakalidis.
Ray