Re: Memo to Michael:

[snoopy1@pig.net]

While in one way, I think he "shoulda' stood in bed", I guess part of me 
thinks about someone loving to play so much he'd walk away from an easy 
life to put himself through the grind of a comeback.  I know some people 
think he's a glory-hound, or bored, or whatever.  Maybe--just maybe--he 
wants nothing more than to play, and in doing so to compete with the best 
the game can throw at him.

Certainly if glory was all he wanted, he has plenty.  He's widely respected 
even by people who played against him.  People hold him up as an example of 
someone who learned to play a team game when he could easily have spent his 
whole career playing like he did his first few seasons.  He's rich enough 
that he's playing this year essentially for free as far as the NBA is 
concerned--though I'm cognizant that the endorsement people are probably 
already lining up to have a chat with him. Even then, he was already doing 
commercials and suchlike.

Even if one concedes that he's not as strong or fast as he was years ago, 
it may be that there's no one else he can play against without 
automatically mopping the floor with them. And if there's one thing 
Basketball is, it's competitive.

I guess the bottom line is, if he can play at that level and bring 
something positive to the team, then he should go for it.  It remains only 
to see if that is the case.

Snoopy the Celtics Beagle

At 01:03 PM 9/26/01 -0500, Gene Kirkpatrick wrote:
>Bring it!
>
>While I am not "all for" His return, I am for it.  He should energize the 
>East for sure.  Not only in playing him, but throughout the season, the 
>young stars should be stepping up their games.  And we've got two of 
>them.  Expect better ball all around because of this.
>
>I hope he will stay healthy through the early part of the season.  He may 
>endure the whole of it, but really!  And he may be the best of the over 30 
>crowd, but the legs and the mind are nearly 40.  I really think it will be 
>hard for him to do it mentally.  Sure he's unusual, but the total focus 
>that he once had will be very difficult to maintain, especially while 
>losing 2 of every 3 games.
>
>What does it mean for us?  As suggested earlier, Pierce has more incentive 
>now and Walker should, too.  For the young guys, what an opportunity.  As 
>always, I expect us to do well.  When predictions begin I'll be up near 45 
>and a sixth place finish in the East.  Cheers.
>Gene