RE: the Indy stuff

["Michael Griffin" <mgriffin@rillc.com>]

Problem is that the majority of Celtics fans don't want a five-year plan,
they expect to make the playoffs next year just like they (myself included)
did last year and the year before that.  I thought Pitino would work his
magic but like Gary Steven said when Jimmy Johnson let him go (editors note:
I'm a huge Miami Dolphins fan and Gary Steven was the offensive coordinator
under Jimmy Johnson for his first three years before being let go before
last year), "you can't make chicken salad out of chicken sh**."

When you have a roster with Ellison,Barros and Minor chewing away at
valuable cap space its no wonder the Celtics are $ conscious.  The financial
moves they have made have been terribly questionable over the last
half-decade.  The draft picks have not been good returns on investment (jury
still out on Walker and to a lesser extent, pierce).  Walker will need to
have an all-pro year next year to validate keeping him - I'd move him in the
right deal.  I think the thing that sticks in my mind is that "wiggle thing"
he does.  A nose-to-the-grindstone player would never do that.  Larry never
did that and no other Celtic ever looked that foolish for just making some
shot.  Anyone see Larry Johnson make his rediculous "L" sign with his hand
after hitting a "bank" shot 3-pointer yesterday.  Does the L stand for
Lame,Ludicrous,Looks Rediculous or just plain loser?.  A little trash talkin
and fist pumping is fine but when you have to do an endzone dance that
extends to your side of the court, that personifies a "me first" attitude.
I know Walker is only 23 but I guess you do have to wonder if those things
ever change.  He didn't seem to do it as much this year but I recall him
still doing it (never mind that he didn't really have a reason to do it for
the first 50 games).

That is why I'd probably be in favor of a Van Horn for Walker trade because
Van Horn seems "bring it" each game and not be concerned as much about
personal stats.  I don't think Majerus ever had to console Van Horn after a
game in which Utah won but Keith had an off-night (unlike Walker having to
be "consoled" by Pitino).  You know it is funny but last year it was the
same talk - we have to get better in the off season, another year of
cohesiveness but how many teams will keep a team together?  Maybe 4 players
max?  We have a starting off guard who average 30 minutes/game and less than
5 points (Cheaney?), Griffin down the stretch played 20 minutes a game with
almost no contribution although I realize he played 500 games last year.

More ramblings but I do hope that our current roster is turned over by 50%.
(The six to go: Barros, Ellison, Overton, McCarty, Cheaney, Battie, Kenny,
Pierce or Walker if right deal comes along).  Fortson will probably go
regardless


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Berry, Mark S [mailto:berrym@BATTELLE.ORG]
> Sent: Monday, May 01, 2000 2:05 PM
> To: 'mgriffin@rillc.com'; 'celtics@igtc.com'
> Subject: Re: the Indy stuff
>
>
> Michael,
>
> If your definition of "bonafide superstar" is Tim Duncan, then you're
> right-there are no bonafide superstars in this draft. Of course, if there
> were, no one would trade away that pick anyway.
>
> Every year we hear about how bad these drafts are, and every year
> there is a
> Vince Carter or Antonio McDyess (taken in the Joe Smith draft and
> traded-for
> Brent Barry and Rodney Rogers). The key is identifying who those
> players are
> and being bold enough to make your move for them. Stromile Swift
> is a great
> example. Now, I don't know how good this kid is, but if the Celts'
> braintrust is as sold on him as they seem to be, then be bold. It
> might cost
> you Pierce, but at some point you have to trust your evaluators enough to
> make that kind of move. Don't trade up just to do it, but if
> there is a guy
> there you believe will be great, and you have a chance to deal
> for him, you
> have to do it.
>
> On Pryzbilla: I've seen him play a little here in Big Ten country
> and he is
> far, far better than Big Country. This kid is a long, lanky, but
> sturdy 7-1
> with a knack for blocking shots. His offense is coming around, but he'll
> never average more than15 points per game. I believe he'll be a fast riser
> come draft time and go in the top five. He'll almost certainly
> last no later
> than Jersey's pick at 7.
>
> I do agree that if you stay at 11, you have to consider all
> options for the
> best player available-including the high schoolers. I don't think Darius
> Miles, the one prepster to come out to this point (I think he declared
> today), will be around at 11, but you never know how things will go in
> workouts. But you're right Michael, the kids are much more attractive
> alternatives now that they're locked in for five seasons.
>
> Makes for interesting discussion.
>
> Mark
>