Re: Garnett?

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

I don't know the inside details of the story, but it is sad if McHale gets fired
and has to leave the sport he loves hanging his head in shame. Five first
rounders is practically a franchise killer for a small market team that was
making good acquistions and showing a willingness to pay to compete. I'm sure
some fans will resent management for this penalty. You always feel bad for the
first guy that gets nailed for doing what everyone else at least seems to be
doing, since it is not clear that they should have known better than to break
the rules.

But at least this means he will be available to the Boston Celtics should
Poultrino/Gaston/Wallace leave, and that might also be the right opportunity for
personal redemption from McHale's perspective as well.

Joe

p.s. Mark, I still think it is much more plausible that Boston would enter the
KG sweepstakes by offering a serious package of Vitaly "Chicken Kiev" Potapenko,
Antoine "KFC" Walker and maybe Jerome "Coq au vin" Moiso plus at least two draft
picks and cap filler. Paul Pierce has a very solid fan base in Boston (except at
the Buzz Club) right now and is a pretty nice player for this or any system. I
wouldn't mind swapping Kenny Anderson for Terrell Brandon either, although both
have pretty outrageous salaries. You all know I love Antoine Walker and those
others, but Kevin Garnett is worth essentially any asking price as Mark says. He
is as close to a no-weaknesses superstar as exists in any sport. He's like A-Rod
in baseball, I guess.

------

"Berry, Mark S" wrote:

> Well, just for fun, I played around with this idea on RealGM.com. First, the
> thing about including Antoine is it doesn't really help their cap situation.
> I'd think any deal they made would be designed to ease the cap problems so
> they can add players through free agency.
>
> This worked: Pierce, Vitaly, Moiso, Stith, Minor and McCarty. Stith and
> Minor's contracts are up after this season. McCarty either this season or
> next. That's $10 million off the books right there. Vitaly certainly could
> fetch a draft pick, if they want to clear his number. Throw in draft picks,
> and who knows?
>
> I just think Pierce would be the guy they'd want as the centerpiece. Here's
> an interesting question: If they asked for Pierce and Toine (with cap filler
> to make it work) would anyone do it? The Celts would have a forward tandem
> of Garnett and Moiso, a young point guard in Herren, young centers in Pot
> and Blount. Something to think about.
>
> Probably a waste of time even discussing it, but I'm sure they're tossing it
> around in 27 other NBA cities as we speak.
>
> Mark