RE: interesting NBA notes

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

Amen Joe. Great points about forming "winning habits." Toronto is a great
example of that and why patience can be overrated. They traded Marcus Camby
for Charles Oakley and got ripped for it. Oakley was old, his best days were
past him, blah, blah, blah. But that was a great example of a win-win trade
for both teams. New York got a young, impact big man, and Toronto advanced
the development of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady-and the team as a whole-by
adding Oakley's toughness and leadership. They then added to that by trading
the fifth pick in the draft for Antonio Davis-another move that was
questioned at the time. Look at what those moves did for the Raptors. They
were a point away from toppling the Sixers and playing in the Eastern
Conference Finals.

Everyone points to Oakley, Davis and Willis as important factors because of
their "veteran presence" but those guys also can play. They defend, rebound,
set picks-do all the dirty work that teams need to win. The Celtics
desperately need those kinds of players. It's funny how good teams seem to
follow big men like Davis, Oakley, P.J. Brown, Dale Davis, Horace Grant,
Brian Grant around.

It's time for the Celtics to make a move like the Raptors made. If it
doesn't happen this year, you have to think it will happen next year,
because they're going to struggle again with this front line. Of course, it
has to be the right guy, but that's what Chris Wallace gets paid for. 

Mark


 -----Original Message-----
From: 	j.hironaka [mailto:j.hironaka@unesco.org] 
Sent:	Tuesday, July 10, 2001 11:44 AM
To:	Berry, Mark  S; celtics@igtc.com
Subject:	Re: interesting NBA notes

At 10:23 10/07/01 -0400, you wrote:
>Insider actually has NBA sources who claim Webber is down to
>San Antonio and Sacramento, and is very intrigued by the idea of playing
>next to Tim Duncan. The Spurs hope a long-term deal with Webber, who is
much
>younger and more effective at this point than Robinson, would help convince
>Duncan to sign long-term when his contract is up in two years. Insider also
>speculates that the Spurs, if they sign Webber, the Spurs would try to work
>some kind of sign-and-trade for Robinson and Anderson, but I don't think
>that's possible.

Please happen!! I think the Spurs just might give the LA pink triangle 
offense fits with that lineup. Duncan will have his hands full, but Webber 
should cause major matchup problems for LA.

I don't know the details of what the Spurs are offering him, but Robinson 
really does come off as a hypocrite after begging Tim Duncan to re-sign 
last summer. How much money does this guy need to retire on?

Here's a thought on the Celtics. Chances are Paul Pierce won't continue 
averaging 25+ points per game next year with three similar perimeter 
shooters brought onboard. If we don't make the playoffs next year, I 
wouldn't be surprised to see him consider leaving if his role gets reduced 
by Kedrick or Johnson or Forte.

We have to start winning. That's the only way Walker (who is signed) and 
Pierce (who isn't) will accept a reduced role. The rebounding deficity is 
what will prevent Boston from going on consistent winning streaks and a 
playoff run, no matter how well all three rookies perform well. Moreiver, 
if all our young perimeter scorers perform well and we still lose games, 
the players won't form good team habits or '"learn how to win" as they say.

For instance, if Vince Carter didn't have the Oakley's and Willis' and 
Davis' assuring the Raptors were a playoff contender these past three 
years, he might not have developed the tools and instincts to be anything 
other than a selfish player.

For this reason, I also agree with Mark that Boston needs to explore ways 
to address the rebounding deficit through sign-and-trades or the 4.5 
million exception. Making the playoffs next year matters for the future 
cohesion of the Celtics and the correct development of our players.

Moreover, the Celtics are under the luxury tax ceiling and this may be one 
of the cheapest years ever to get quality with the 4.5 million, given that 
so many teams are hovering just at or way over the luxury tax range. If 
Gaston made some sort of quid pro quo deal with Wallace (e.g. you have a 
job and can draft anyone you want, provided you don't go spending on 
another free agent) then Wallace should work the sign-and-trade or straight 
trade route dangling one of our two "proven" centers. The guy has a dream 
job. He needs to do what the great GM's are paid to do.

Joe

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