Re: Good-bye draft picks-and future?

[opi@unesco.org]

Pierce and Mercer are the least complementary players I've ever seen on the
court together. As long as Mercer is out their imposing his will to jack up
shots (while delivering little in terms of rebounds or assists), Paul Pierce
turns into "Toto from Kansas" Mr wallflower boy. Ron Mercer even jacked up more
shots than Antoine per game once he rejoined the team from injury last year,
just in time coincidentally to start us on our season-killing 4-14 run.

This season, Pierce stepped into Mercer's vacated role and presently is second
in the NBA in steals. And while he's "no Vince Carter", he averages just as many
rebounds as VC while playing fulltime at the shooting guard position.

The only thing "devastating" about this trade IMO is that it shows beyond doubt
how an egotistical, dogmatic coach can take a team with two young scorers and
several well-rounded, quality role players and still totally screw things up.
The final nail in the coffin will be when Pitino blows up this team this summer.

I know there are very intelligent opinions on both sides, but that happens to be
my take on things, Mark.

Joe

****

"Berry, Mark S" wrote:

> The Mercer-Fortson trade was devastating. I don't think most of us totally
> realize just how much that crippled us. Here's why: Up to that point, Pitino
> had done a pretty good job of acquiring talent-Mercer, Pierce and
> (inherited) Walker. That talent, however all ranged between 6-7 and 6-9.
> What that gave us was a nice surplus to deal from.
>
> At this point, Pitino made a few mistakes. First, he chose Mercer as the
> tradeable commodity. Mercer was making contract an issue, which drove his
> value down. He immediately became the least valuable commodity of the three.
> If he had kept Mercer (and signed him), he could have dealt Walker or Pierce
> for much higher return. The second mistake was the return for Mercer. Good
> God, what a disaster. Fortson and Eric Williams. That Denver pick better
> bring in something pretty special to make that deal wash.
>
> But it's not just a bad trade. It left us with zero options for improving
> this team. We no longer have a surplus at any position, so we are going to
> be forced into rolling the dice and dealing one or both of our tradeable
> commodities (Walker and Pierce) in the hope that we can get it right this
> time. The Mercer trade wasn't just a bad deal. It was a catastrophe.
>
> The next bad decision: I've flip-flopped on the Vitaly trade. Yes, Vitaly is
> serviceable. And no, I don't think his contract is outrageous. Actually, in
> comparison to Geiger, Longley and Reeves, it's a bargain. But I've come to
> the conclusion that if you can't have a top center, don't waste your money
> on an average one. Get by with low-paid big bodies and expend your energies
> acquiring other talent. I'd sure like to have Andre Miller or Shawn Marion
> about now, with DeClercq or some other stiff at center. Or maybe we could
> have dealt that eighth pick and ??? to move up for an Odom, Francis or
> Bender?
>
> You all know I'm a Pitino defender, but I'm willing to admit I think these
> moves were mistakes. I don't, however, blame Pitino for Pierce regressing or
> drifting. I think Pierce slipped in the draft for a reason. He was a soft,
> unassertive player at Kansas. He's a soft, unassertive player now. He's a
> valuable complementary piece, but he's not a horse like Carter or Iverson.
> If that's enough, then hold onto him. But I certainly wouldn't close the
> door to shipping him out for an upgrade. That goes for anyone on this team.
>
> Mark