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

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

Hi Mark
    I admit I also have zilch to go on regarding "Big Jake" Tsakalidis, but the
impressive thing about his photos on the various sites like FoxSports is that he
looks pretty close to his reported 280 pounds but also has no excess flab on his
arms or upperbody.  Still, his numbers last year really stink if you ask me. He
can't shoot free throws, barely scores, barely rebounds, barely blocked shots.
I'd accept him for his potential if he were only 21, but if he's actually 23
(Antoine's age) as reported, then I'd stay away from him and hope for better
luck next year getting a center through the draft with a mid-lottery pick like
Loren Wood or even Brendan Haywood. I have a feeling the top five of next year's
draft will be dominated by prepsters and freshmen, with a few Troy Murphy types
thrown in.

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"Berry, Mark S" wrote:

> Hi Joe,
>
> You may be right. The Celts supposedly tried to move up to take Bender last
> year, so they seem to understand the potential of these kids.
>
> I guess I'm a little scared of Miles because he's 6-8. The Garnett
> comparisons are nice, but Garnett is a 7-footer. Miles doesn't have the
> perimeter game of a McGrady or Kobe... yet. He doesn't even have the
> perimeter game of Garnett or Bender. That scares me.
>
> But you're probably right. I do think Przybilla is being vastly underrated,
> however. A few years from now, I think everyone will look back and wonder
> how guys like Martin, Fizer and Mihm went ahead of Przybilla. I also think
> he's the one guy the Celtics could add from this draft (keeping in mind I
> haven't seen Tsakalidis play) who would seriously upgrade their performance
> next season. I've been a big proponent of overhauling this team, but
> Przybilla might mean drastic changes aren't necessary. He is the kind of
> force in the middle that would help disguise the glaring defensive
> shortcomings of Toine at the PF spot. And if Toine can play PF, Pierce can
> move back to SF, and we can make do at the SG spot. Add a Mark Jackson, and
> this team could really improve.
>
> Just my thoughts. By the way, you've sufficiently scared me away from Moiso.
> I hate some of the generalizations comparing him to Battie, but if there
> have been consistent questions about his effort, then I agree with you,
> steer clear.
>
> And one more thing-I keep reading good things about Tsakalidis. He sounds
> like a guy who is improving rapidly and is showing much more ability in
> workouts than he was permitted to in the Greek league. I have to admit my
> ears will really perk up when the Cavs go on the clock Wednesday.
>
> Mark