Wistful

["Gene Kirkpatrick" <gkir@tjc.tyler.cc.tx.us>]

Now that it appears that Gasol will go early, from 3 to 6, I find
myself wishing we could have stolen him.  Of course, it took three
weeks of teeth gnashing for most of us to come around to accept that
he looks like the real deal.

So, if we get Diop, Brown and Forte or Cook as Josh suggests, I don't
see how we can help but be let down.  Missing out on the likes of
Gasol, Johnson, White, when we were so close.  And there Atlanta is
revamping their front line in a big way--not to mention the quantum
leap the Griz could be taking.

But, Diop is a worthwhile gamble.  He won't be worse than Blount.  He
is smart and that goes a long way with these projects (which is the
only hesitation I have about Kedrick Brown; we get some JC boys who
are sharp and some who I hope I can find a way to give a C).  So, it's
hit or miss with Diop.  So be it.  Brown sounds like a good shell; if
there's any there there, then he could wow us.  And Forte, he's got
the inside for sure:  the drive, the instinct, the class, while the
question is his exterior, his speed, size, and ability to utilize a
less than perfect NBA body.   At the least, he's Williams of Seattle?
with three more inches.

Roll 'em, Danno.  (Some of you are too young for the old Jack Lord
line, "Book 'em, Danno.)  Let's tee it up.  I hope for one good slider
(other than Diop), which to me would be Johnson or Battier.  It's too
much to hope for White.     Gene