Interesting stuff

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

Some nice tidbits on Griffin, Gasol and the draft workouts. Thanks to
everyone for posting them.

On Pau Gasol... I know there are a lot of people skeptical of this guy, and
it's understandable since we haven't seen him. But if you look back at the
draft, these European studs actually have been consistently undervalued in
the draft. I'm sure part of it is unfamiliarity, language barriers, contract
complications and GMs' never-ending fascination with "athleticism." But
Nowitzki, Stojakovic, Turkoglu, Ilgauskas and Kukoc all were drafted much
lower than their ability dictated. Go all the way back to Dino Radja,
Arvydas Sabonis, Sarunas Marciulonis, Vlade Divac and Drazen Petrovic... all
would be considered steals at their draft spots. GMs have reached for
European centers on occasion, but that's just as true of American big men.
If Gasol is as good as Ray's posted article indicates, he'd be another steal
at 10 or 11. Of course, almost all of these players needed a year or two of
seasoning before really adjusting to the NBA game.

On the draft workouts... Apparently that early buzz on Rodney White was
legit. If he's that good, it can only be good news for the Celtics. Granted,
it may push him up in the draft and out of the Celts' reach, but that also
pushes someone down. Maybe it's Tyson Chandler (although I'd be shocked).
I'm hoping Joe Johnson shows as well in workouts, because that will make the
draft at least 10 deep-Curry, Brown, Griffin, Diop, Battier, Chandler,
Richardson, White, Johnson and Gasol. I also agree with the NBATalk (great
to have them back!) note on Haywood. He may or may not make it in the NBA,
but I'll be shocked if his stock doesn't rise into top-10 consideration.
Personally, if the Celts walked away with one of the 10 names above and
Haywood at 10 and 11, I'd be thrilled. I'm also still high on Zach Randolph,
although it seems he's just on the fringe of that elite group in the eyes of
scouts at this point.

I'd still try to move Heaven and Earth for Eddy Curry or Kwame Brown, but
short of that, the Celts probably can do just as well with their two picks
at 10 and 11.

One last thing... I hope the Celts talk to the Kings this year about Jason
Williams. I know he has flaws, but I think the Kings have handled him
poorly. In their efforts to try to improve his weaknesses, they've taken
away many of his strengths. They've stolen his mojo. He's the kind of guy
who you have to accept for what he gives you-and at his best that's
breakneck tempo, unbelievable passing and infectious enthusiasm. But that
also means some ill-advised shots, exasperating turnovers and shaky defense.
I don't blame the Kings for pushing him to play better defense, but in
trying to rein in his style of play, they've taken away what makes him
unique-that flashy, unselfish, enthusiastic style that seemed to make
passing cool again in Sacramento. I watched them this year and they didn't
seem like the same team. Granted, they were very good, but they didn't move
the ball the way they did in Williams' first couple of seasons. I'd love to
see the impact that kind of passing and pushing the ball could have on the
Celts. (Now, can you live with his boorish and often offensive behavior?
That's a legitimate question.)

Mark