...but, that Nero was one hell of a fiddler.

[Jim Metz <JBMetzEA@AOL.com>]

   With one open roster spot and Tony Battie's physical condition open to
debate, I would guess that waiting until training camp, to see whether point
guard or center is the biggest concern, is founded in the reality of that
one open spot. However; when I see teams like Washington trading for
Haywood, Toronto signing Olaijuwon,  and Atlanta getting Vaughn and Davis, I
see three teams in our division, two who finished behind us last season,
getting stronger.  
   Orlando and Detroit have improved, Philly,Miami, Charlotte, Millwaukee
all have contending teams. Are we expected to beat out New York? If Jordan
returns, does anyone think the wizards won't be in the playoffs?
   To the bold go the spoils. What have we done since Pitino left, except
sit and wait for players to drop in our lap, no matter what positions we
have needs in and even then, we had a weak trigger finger to sign El-Amin,
who came in and showed he could help, in one of those areas of weakness.
   In addition, what if we wind up needing both a point guard(Anderson and
Brown are injured, as usual) and a center (Battie, not able to get lift on
his foot), where do we go from there?
   If a Vaughn can be signed for $550,000, what is the downside of signing
him, (or another at that price) and either renouncing him or another player
(like Walter) if we need to go out and get a center? The downside is
$550,000. Is that too big a price to get a look in camp at a real point
guard? 
   More astute observers than I, have claimed that the Celtics took the best
available players in the draft, but I'll never forget that opportunity to
trade down with Houston and the fact that we had two major holes on this
team and they went out and added three wing players, when Walker and Pierce
are already playing outside.
   A little creativity and we might have had; say Bibby, or as I wrote
yesterday; Johnson, Parker/Tinsley and Loren Woods. There was even the
possibility, by taking the Houston picks of getting Johnson, Brown/Randolph,
Parker/Tinsley  and Woods.
I've never seen Parker play, but I've seen Woods and Tinsley. They are huge
upgrades over Blount and Palacio.
   Kedrick Brown had better be; "All That."

-JB-

                   

                   
Unchain My Heart!