RE: I'm on the Nazr Mohammed bandwagon

[OzerskyJA <OzerskyJA@cmog.org>]

Boy, Dale Davis would really be a great fit on
this team.  We would be better than Toronto tomorrow
if we got him.  Jerome Williams would be a great fit,
too.  Othella Harrington; guys like that.  Dale Davis
is a legit center, though.  As for the triangle, I tend
to doubt O'Brien is going to use Johnson, Brown, and
Forte as spot-up jump shooters.  There is a reason they
drafted these guys after all.

-----Original Message-----
From: Berry, Mark S [mailto:berrym@BATTELLE.ORG]
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 11:00 AM
To: 'celtics@igtc.com'
Subject: I'm on the Nazr Mohammed bandwagon


We're at a disadvantage because we can only offer the $4.5 mill exception,
but things can be done. If Nazr makes it clear to the Hawks he will take
that exception elsewhere because he wants to start, then he has a little
leverage to force a sign-and-trade. I certainly could see a Vitaly-based
sign-and-trade package going to the Hawks for Nazr, and locking him up at
somewhere around $6 mill a year. The guy isn't an all-star, but he's better
than anyone on our roster. He'd come in and start right away, and keep
Battie and Blount in their natural roles. He's a pretty good rebounder and
shot-blocker, about 6-10 but solidly built. He'd be a great addition.
Everyone knows about his friendship with Toine, and I wonder how he feels
about O'Brien? Just seems like a natural target.

By the way, whether it's Nazr or someone else, I expect the Celts to
actively explore moving either Vitaly or Battie this summer for either a
point guard (not likely) or more of an impact big man. I have no idea who
(other than Nazr) but it just seems to make sense. I could see Portland
having a real interest in Vitaly, and Dale Davis is available. 

One more thing... I don't know who mentioned it in a post yesterday, but I
wanted to comment on the thought that the triangle offense seems like a
natural fit for the Celtics. I think that's genius. Now, it will never
happen because O'Brien would rather play five small forwards and have them
shoot 3-pointers all day (oops, that slipped out)... but the triangle would
be perfect for the Celts. It de-emphasizes the traditional point guard and
center (our weaknesses), emphasizes long, versatile slashers and shooters,
and demands passing and player movement. With all of these talented
swingmen, I think we'd see a beautiful offense. Too bad Tex Winter didn't
join the team with Dick Harter.

Mark

P.S. I agree with Josh that as optimistic as most of us are, we probably
still are underestimating the talent we just pulled. This draft was
incredible. I think in Joe Johnson and Kedrick Brown, we got what normally
would be top-five talent in most drafts, and Forte probably late lottery. We
may not see it all this year, but the first two guys could turn into
definite impact players, and Forte may even become a starter at some point.
It creates a logjam, but that will sort itself out through trades.