Re: Bo Outlaw + 1st rd pick to the Suns...

["j.hironaka" <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

Bo knows shotblocking, which is Boston's great weaknesss. And he's an 
excellent defender, a career .578 shooter and a good offensive rebounder. 
Not a bargain though, but at least you always know he'll work hard (except 
on his FT shooting). Prior to the start of the season, I would have thought 
this trade scenario (say Walter instead of Jud Buchler) would be both a 
steal and an ideal fit.

An old pattern is re-emerging. Boston has been out-rebounded by 22 boards 
in the last two games. Walker and Pierce can't continue averaging 20 a game 
combined...there is no way.

I had a strong feeling the Atlanta series would be a split. Had we pulled 
off the comeback on Saturday, I bet we would have blown the rematch this 
Wednesday. Atlanta is not a pushover. Due to injuries, guys like Glover and 
Mohammed have emerged to add even more depth to a team built around a tall 
frontline with two more All Stars than Boston had last year (Shareef and 
Theo) plus Kukoc. The Hawks just have a terrible point guard situation.

I guess you can blame our three centers for scoring only 4 points, but 
offense wasn't the culprit on Saturday. The Celtics (103 points) scored 
just above their season average because Milt and Strickland (32 points 
combined) more than made up for Joe Johnson's 1-7 game.

What hurt Boston was defense and rebounding. Mohammed outrebounded our big 
three combined and Boston blocked only one shot (by Joe Johnson).

Joe

p.s. FWIW, I think Lamar Odom might be the next ballplayer to go in a 
firesale-type situation. I just hope its not to the Lakers or Philly. Its 
just a hunch at this stage, but this is the kind of situation where you 
might dangle Forte or Kedrick. Because of his drug problem its hard to tell 
if Lamar will ever be more than a Billy Owens or Danny Manning, or if he'll 
fit in on a team that already has Joe Johnson and Antoine.