Re: I Think This Guy May Have Nailed The First 11 Picks

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

    Mark, if the Celtics moved up to number three, I'm convinced Wallace would
only do so to grab Darius Miles (not Pryz or anyone else). You are talking about
a 6-8 blinding first step wing slasher who regularly handles the ball in a guard
role, shot 66.7% from the field last year, and averaged an unheard of 7.4 blocks
per game on defense (12.1 boards). More about his defense later.

The thing about FoxSports is that--unlike CBS's Rodecker-- those guys routinely
dis virtually every player in the draft as overrated or flawed, whether it be
Miller, Fizer, felllow prepster Stephenson or you name it. But, by contrast,
here is what FoxSports say about Darius Miles' defense: "if anyone deserves the
runaway comparisons with Scottie Pippen in this category, it’s Miles. He seems
to truly dig locking down on his opponent, using quickness and the reach of a
freeloading dinner guest to defend the hoop. A maniac in passing lanes."

Yo think that's not going to help the Boston Celtics down the road?? In terms of
excitement and explosiveness, he sure sounds almost like a Kobe. As Wallace said
in his interview, Miles is a "time bomb waiting to explode."

The problem is that getting him is as big a gamble (trading at least Potapenko
and #11)  as the one Jerry West took (trading Vlade even before Shaq had signed)
in order to go get Kobe Bryant.

------------

"Berry, Mark S" wrote:

> A couple of points on two good posts from Ray and Jim:
>
> 1.      Ray mentioned that Orlando may take Stevenson at 10 because they
> fear the Celtics may take him at 11. This is a great point. Maybe the Celts
> schedule the kid for another workout, making it seem like they're
> interested, when in fact they're only trying to goad the Magic into taking
> him at 10 so "Player X" (Alexander, Johnson) slips to them. It's all part of
> the game.
> 2.      And Jim, on Tsakalidis... I've been thinking the same thing lately.
> If the Cavs pass on this guy (unlikely), and he's there at 11... and
> ASSUMING Wallace and Pitino have done all their homework, scouted the guy,
> worked him out and are CONVINCED he's not just 7-2, 280 pounds of Eurostiff,
> then take him. If he's the next Sabonis, and you're getting him when he's
> 21, 22, 23... whatever, you take him. Sabonis in his prime was a bigger Bill
> Walton. If that's the kind of player you really, truly believe Tsakalidis is
> or will be, then take him. Contract or no contract. I don't care how good
> Alexander, Johnson, Crawford, Moiso or anyone else turns out to be, none of
> them would have a greater impact than the kind of player we just described.
>
> And finally, I'll get back on my Przybilla soapbox for one moment. My
> fascination with this guy is inexplicable (other than the fact that I
> believe he's the one guy in this draft who brings exactly what the Celtics
> need-a Mutombo for the next 10 years), but bear with me.... It sounds like
> there is one team seriously entertaining the kind of offer the Celtics might
> be able to make... the Clippers, at No. 3. If they could pick up a Moiso or
> Alexander with the 11th pick, and add a Vitaly or Kenny Anderson (they need
> PF and point guard), might they bite? Sweeten the pot with a future No. 1?
> Again, this is contingent on Wallace and Pitino being convinced, after
> scouting and workouts, that Przybilla is worth it. But if he is (and I think
> he might be), then offer everything short of Walker or Pierce to get it
> done.
>
> Mark