RE: Pierce on TNT

[kai_brunnen_g@ix.netcom.com]

I'd do it, but the Celtics won't break up the O'Brien/Pierce/Walker
love triangle.
Ray


> ** Original Subject: RE: Pierce on TNT
> ** Original Sender: "Thomas Murphy" <tfmiii@worldnet.att.net>
> ** Original Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 11:21:23 -0700

> ** Original Message follows... 

>
> Interesting to see Pierce on TNT with Barkley et.al.; seemed like a
> thoughtful - if a tad shy and deferential - young man. Hopefully this is the
> start of a trend of higher visibility for Pierce and the Celts. Pierce
> played it close to the vest both Sat and Sun but he did pick the Charlotte
> upset and loosened up when he told Jordan to just keep watching the
> highlights. Barkley paid him a nice complement when he said Pierce was a BMW
> who could be a Mercedes (like him and Jordan).
> 
> One more interesting insight into Pierce: when asked what he thought of
> Rasheed Wallace and his techs Pierce simply said something to the effect
> that "he is who he is - he's and intense player and you have to take what he
> gives you". This seems like a pretty mature view and would help explain why
> he gets on with Twon so well: you accept people for what they are - good AND
> bad - and don't get upset over things you can't change/control.
> 
> That being said, it got me to thinking of whether the opportunity to swap
> Walker for Rasheed might present itself this offseason given the implosion
> in Portland. Before you fire off the "not THAT headcase" salvos, consider
> the following stats:
> 
> Wallace: 77 games, 38.2 MPG, 50% FG% (WOW!!), 19.2 PPG, 90 steals, 135
> blocks 7.8 RPG
> 
> All that with only 15.3 shot attempts per game - say what you want about
> Wallace and the refs, he is fairly unselfish when it comes to his teammates
> and effective at what a PF should do. Aside from the techs the only weakness
> seems to be in total rebounds, but he averages 9.8 over 48min to Twon's 10.2
> per 48 so this is basically a wash given Portland has better rebounders
> around Rasheed.
> 
> Add to that the fact that Wallace is an active and effective defender on the
> post (and hence from my perspective a more complete player) and such a swap
> sounds quite tempting. Of course the Cs would have to employ a PG if they
> swapped Walker for Rasheed, but  . . . is that such a bad thing?
> 
> Cheers - Tom Murphy
> 
> 


>** --------- End Original Message ----------- **

>