Chris Wallace Chat Transcript

[BSF <Bostonsptsfan@yahoo.com>]

Here's the full chat session. It was pretty short, actually. 

*(What will they do with the pick)

I think what we'll probably do, it's still early, but if we retain this
pick and exercise it, we'll probably place our wager on the player we
think can be the best NBA player.


*Are you guys really high on Jerome Moiso?

I like Jerome Moisio. I've been intrigued by him since I saw him at the
NIke Hoops Summit in 1997. He's one of the better combinations of
talent/upside in this draft. The question around Jerome is consistency,
and because he's so slight, how he's going to hold up against the
bangers in the NBA.

*Are you looking to get a shot blocker with your first pick?

I don't know that there will be a bona fide shot blocker there. I know
there will be players who can block shots, but that's not necessarily a
shot blocker night in and night out. There would have to be some major
slipping and sliding above us for that to occur.

*Hi Chris, who do you think is the best draft pick you have ever made?

Paul Pierce.

*What are your thoughts on Marcus Fizer

Marcus Fizer is probably as ready to play next year as almost anyone in
the draft. He has a pro body, he's an accomplished player. He carried
the load for an extremely successful team at Iowa State. I think he's
going to be successful in the NBA. He'll contribute more sooner than a
lot of others in the draft.

*Do you think Darius Miles is ready for the NBA

Depends what your definition of ready is. Is he undoubtably ready to
come in and handle all aspects of the game on and off the court? No. But
neither is anybody else you're going to draft. Readiness is overrates.
This is about upside and potential. If you sacrifice that for an
immediate payback, your team could really suffer. We've seen so many
players come in and do well. If you're talented, somewhere in your
second or third year it will kick in. recent examples are Tracy McGrady
and Rashard Lewis. Miles is like a bomb waiting to detonate

*Does seeing the Lakers rebound so quickly disappoint the Celtics Chris?

I've only been here three years. I didn't grow up in Boston. I did not
see firsthand the rivalry that flourished through the 60s, and the 70s
and 80s. In some ways our franchises are tied together, from the past. I
salute the Lakers, what they've done this year. I think its good for the
league to have a dominant team with glittering stars. When they come
into Boston next year that will be an event. That's positive.

*Which player in the draft best fits your style of play?

Probably Kenyon Martin.
There's a minor technicality there. He's probably going to go 1 or 2 and
we're 11. There's a gulf there. In drafting, that's from Los Angeles to
Tokyo

*What is your opinion on Jamaal Magloire? If he is around at 39 would
you take him?

Jamaal Magloire has fared well in his workouts. He has a long wing span,
huge hands, and he will be able to rebound and defend at the NBA level.
He has the strength and the talent to defend. going into the draft, we
don't have a second-round pick. It was conveyed to the Knicks because of
a prior transaction, and I don't expect Jamaal to last to the second
round.

I would like to thank the fans out there for their interest in the
Boston Celtics and the NBA as a whole. I wouldn't have the great job I
did if people weren't interested in the Celtics. And I've enjoyed the
chat! Thanks!