RE: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Digest V8 #379

["Ravi Singh" <kelticsfan@home.com>]

Actually, I recall Fortson, towards the end of his time with Boston, playing
some solid position defense on guys like Mourning, Campbell, and the other
under sized centers in the East.  I watched him battle Shaq better than any
other big man when he was with Denver. Sure he is short, and can't jump but
he is wide and immovable with long arms.  He can battle every bit as well as
Vitaly but doesn't have the skillets for hands.  I think he is at more of a
disadvantage trying to cover quick power forwards than he would be covering
7 footers because he doesn't give up position on the block and most 7
footers don't have the quickness to beat him off the dribble.  They can
shoot over him but they have to go through him to get to a favorable spot on
the floor.

Battie still gets pushed around too easy for my tastes.  Even the finesse
Vin Baker had his way with Battie the other night.

I do like your choice of the big lineup.  JJ needs work on his defense but,
by next year, should be a more than capable defender against guys that are
smaller than him.  It is clear that he will be very capable of running an
offense fairly soon.  The problem is that Pierce still cannot defend
shooting guards and Walker cannot defend big power forwards.  It is hard to
mask the deficiencies
of both players unless there is a dominating defensive presence behind them
which, of course, there isn't.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-celtics@igtc.com [mailto:owner-celtics@igtc.com]On Behalf Of
GuyClinch@AOL.com
Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2001 9:47 AM
To: Celtics@igtc.com
Subject: Re: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Digest V8 #379


Hello there,


> Anybody looking at the numbers Fortson is putting up.  At 6'-7" he could
> have been the best starting center on this team.  Think about Fortson
> taking
> feeds off of penetration.  Those mits wouldn't be fumbling balls out of
> bounds.  Not to mention how many fast breaks he could initiate.  Oh
well...
>

Nah...Fortson is an okay PF...a bit of defensive liability though..
As a center he is just to short and earth bound. Stats don't tell the whole
story.
Fortson can work, if you pair him with say Theo Ratliff...

The Fortson Walker Pierce front line just cant stop anyone.
Yuck. We tried that remember?

Defense is poorly reflected in stats..and defense is just as important as
offense.

What we need is a a Stromile Swift type player...and move Walker to small
forward.

Best lineup...Swift Battie Walker up front.
Backcourt... Joe Johnson and Pierce.

J.J. is a stud..he can dribble fairly well and sees the court great.
The guy is just good at everything from what I have seen. I love Kenny but,
that
size in the backcourt would be awesome.

Most of the time Kenny would probably still start though...
I say to all you Kenny haters...Kenny has the best handle in the game. I
love
watching him.

Pete