Recap of Coach O'Brien's NBA.Com chat

["Alessandro Celtics-Fan" <alessan420@hotmail.com>]

Some interesting tidbits from coach O'Brien's NBA.Com chat :

* When asked about the rumors involving a trade with Portland, O'Brien 
flatout stated that "the rumors are totally untrue".

* Thinks that "the caliber of players at the 10th and 11th pick can make 
immediate contributions. We think our veterans can carry us for the first 
part of the season [and] are very happy to have three of the top amateurs 
playing for us next year and think they can pay big dividends in the future" 
(hmm, sounds like we're keeping those three
picks to me).

* Says that he is a big Joe Forte fan, but "I don't think he will be around 
at pick 21".

* "We intend to Paul Pierce to a long-term deal, and we are going to make 
sure we don't pay a luxury tax. We have to use our draft picks well, because 
free agency is not really an option".

* Has heard that Shane Battier is slipping in the draft because "he doesn't 
have as much upside as others, but I don't know if I believe that; he shoots 
well, is mature, plays great defense and brings so many intangibles. 
Whomever gets Shane will be happy with what they get".

* Would take Kwame Brown if Boston had the number one pick ("He seems 
level-headed and has great physical skills; he has the most potential and a 
good work ethic").

* However, any dreams Celtics fans might've had about the team trading up 
for that number one pick were shot down in the very next question, where 
O'Brien states that "we don't plan to move up, simply because we believe the 
players we get at 10 and 11 will be fine NBA players; there are no 
guarantees in front of us, so we like our position as it stands now".

* Thinks that Paul Gasol may be the steal of the draft, but we'll have to 
wait to "see what the high school players can do".



How much of the above is just a smoke-screen by Jimmy to keep the other NBA 
teams guessing/in the dark? I don't know, but (if I had to bet on it) I'd 
say that at the end of the night the Celtics will have three rookies in the 
Green and White uniform; no trades, thank you come again ;)


Alessandro
alessan420@hotmail.com
http://pub61.ezboard.com/bthemeangreen




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