Re: [Celtic_Pride] Re: Adrian Griffin signs with Mavs

[Alexander Wang <awang@MIT.EDU>]

At 10:14 AM 7/28/01, Kestas wrote:
> >I am of the opposite opinion actually. Offensively (relatively) abled Matt
> >Gieger can't play D.
>
>Which is no doubt why he's making $10M/yr. while defensive specialists are
>closer to the NBA minimum. Look, if you assume that the NBA talent market
>is driven by supply and demand (which it is, for the most part), and that
>teams pay more for qualities that are in short supply than those that are
>abundant, the verdict is very clear: offensive abilities are valued much
>more than are defensive abilities.  If you doubt me, just check the
>salaries of Antoine Walker and Glenn Robinson, and compare them to the
>earnings of Bruce Bowen and Adrian Griffin.

Actually, I think it's more than just "offense vs. defense". There's a big 
difference between guys who can defend on the perimeter, like Bowen, and 
guys who can defend inside, like Charles Oakley for instance. You do see 
inside defensive specialists like PJ Brown making good money and having 
high trade value because they're pretty hard to find. There's a requirement 
of length, strength, and athleticism that is rare. On the other hand, it's 
not that hard to find a 6'5" guy who works really hard, can be taught to 
play physically, and has decent enough quickness to defend a 2 guard.

I can understand why people want to root for Griffin, because he's got a 
great story. Working out of the CBA despite his lack of athleticism, 
playing for the minimum, a humble and likeable personality, etc. But on the 
court, he had two good months, got injured, and was not really an NBA 
caliber player for the rest of his two years here. I hope he can contribute 
to the Mavs and get rewarded by Mark Cuban a couple years down the road 
because he's the type of person who deserves it. But I don't think the 
Celtics are really going to miss him on the court, not with Johnson and 
Kedrick Brown and Forte all fighting for minutes at his spot.

Alex