Re: Pierce and Walker for Kobe

["Berry, Mark S" <berrym@BATTELLE.ORG>]

Until recently, I didn't think the Celtics had what it would take to get
Kobe. I didn't think Pierce and Walker would be enough. But I've changed my
mind because Pierce has come on so strong. I now think the Lakers would
seriously consider this offer. Pierce would be a great complement to Shaq
with his perimeter shooting, and Antoine could actually play power forward
because he'd have a dominant center beside him. Throw in the fact that
Pierce is an L.A. guy, and maybe...

Should the Celtics do it? Absolutely. I'd say the same thing if Shaq, Duncan
or Garnett were on the market--championship teams are built around
superstars in the NBA, and Kobe is a superstar (and only getting better).
Pierce is close, and he might get there... but you don't know. He'll never
be as good as Kobe.

The Celtics actually are in position to make a move like this because they
have the three first-rounders this year to add to the team around Kobe.

Would they do it? Probably not. It would be a bold move, and I think hiring
Pitino scared them away from bold moves for a while. Of course, it wouldn't
matter if the Suns actually did offer Kidd and Marion, as Sam Smith
suggested--that offer beats Pierce and Walker. The Lakers may feel the same
way about Vince and Antonio Davis (certainly a comparable offer) or McGrady
(the one other young player in the league in Kobe's class).

Anyway, the Kobe situation is going to be fun to watch, and I certainly hope
the Celtics are watching closely...

Mark