Re: Good-bye draft picks - and future?

[damekmo@teleport.com]

>Are you kidding? If anything, it seems like Pierce takes longer than he
>should to come back. I mean, players sprain ankles in this league all the
>time, but not many take two weeks off and then come back and complain about
>not being 100 percent for the next month. And Griffin, well, it looks like
>his ankle sprain may be career-ending.

If Paul Pierce were named Antoine Walker we'd all be saying he's become
selfish, lackadaisical, soft, and he only cares about his numbers. The
comparison to Carter and Iverson, after this season, is laughable. So
what's happened? Either he simply isn't as good as we thought or he's given
up on the team and his coach because he doesn't believe the coach is taking
the team anywhere. Perhaps he just doesn't get what Pitino wants him to do.
I have to admit I go back and forth. I know you hate to hear it Mark, but
it's certainly possible that the kid has a point. However...he could also
just be soft, lackadaisical, selfish, and maybe he does only care about his
numbers, that is, his ticket out of here when he tells Ricky, "I want out."
I think we'll find out really soon. If Ricky stays I suggest moving Pierce
as he's going to get real players in a trade. And move him quickly before
Pitino calls up a team, mentions Carter in the same sentence with Pierce,
and hears laughter at the other end. Maybe it's Ricky, maybe it's Paul. Who
knows with this miserable team. But I think the reality is, and I know it's
painful after watching this guy accumulate talent - Ron Mercer for Fortson!
- Ricky's staying.

Paul M.




>
>No, I think Pitino and the Celtics have been more than patient when it comes
>to these injuries that would be "nagging" for most players but are crippling
>for Pierce and Griffin. We have a team of soft-minded players with skills
>(Pierce, Battie, Anderson, Cheaney) or tough-minded players without
>(Fortson, Vitaly, McCarty, Williams). Then we have Toine, who is
>tough-minded with skills, but not an ounce of basketball sense in his body.
>
>What a group. I'm just glad we won't see it again next year.
>
>One more thing: The one problem with Pitino's Philly/Toronto comparison is
>the small fact that we don't have an Iverson or Vince Carter to build
>around. Were Carter and Pierce really that close in the rookie of the year
>race? You'd never know it now. Carter has developed into one of those
>take-over-a-game types. Iverson is too. Pierce is too soft for that, and
>either he, Antoine or both are gone after this season.
>
>Mark