Prescription

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

The Celtics will not win consistenty at the 55 - 27 level until their third scorer is Antoine Walker.  We all know Walker's strengths and weaknesses; he is simply most helpful to the team when he scores 15 to 20 points (on less than 20 shots) and contributes with rebounds and assists.  Pierce is a bona fide 25 point a night scoring leader.

I think that our best candidate for the second scorer (in the 17-22 range) is Joe Johnson, but either Forte or Kedrick Brown could provide that.  So, it will be a while.  For this year, Walker will continue to do too much shooting and we will win more than before; but, our destiny lies with another shooter/scorer and that's more likely one of the rookies.  IMO

The deal with Strickland is confusing.  Both Kenny and Milt are doing well--for them.  Why add another 20 minute #1/2??  It could be that some GMs out there see Kenny as a plus now.  Who knows?  And just when he is doing what we want him to do.  Well, I would pull the trigger on a Kenny for pf deal--someone who could rebound and bump for 15 minutes.  Really, don't you think that the brass sees Forte as a real possibility at #1; especially after his big game last week?  I think they're maneuvering to allow him more opportunity; ya gotta believe they can see what I can see all the way from Texas.

Anyway, we will like Strickland just as we liked Stith.  He provides much the same defensive intensity with scoring ability.  At 26, he could be a stellar backup for years.  Cheers, looking forward to a snappy showing tonight and, who knows, a gutsy win in Milwaukee.  Seriously.  When these guys go all out, they're pretty formidable.    Gene