Re: the Portland game

["Dan Forant" <dforant1@nycap.rr.com>]

There is absolutely no doubt, the Celtic fortunes turned when EWill and
Strickland became part of the big picture. They may not be standouts, but
certainly standout from the rest of the pine shiners. I like most when EWill
constantly puts pressure on the inside with his drives.


L8ter
DanF
----- Original Message -----
From: "bird" <birdwl@earthlink.net>
To: <Celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2002 6:29 PM
Subject: re: the Portland game


> > From: Kestas <Kestutis.Kveraga@dartmouth.edu>
> >
> > Eric Williams is amazing: he can't shoot from more than 5 feet anymore
> > (his
> > jumpers barely reached the rim), and he can't stop anyone one-on-one,
yet
> > somehow he finds a way to contribute.
>
> I know!  I can't fathom EWill: a "good defender" who can't defend very
> well, and a shooter who doesn't shoot very well.  But I want the guy on
> the court for his 15-20 minutes a game.  Things fall more into place when
> he's out there, but pick apart his game and you're left wondering what all
> the fuss is about.
>
> > That can't be said about JJ, who has
> > about 10x more talent, but no fire in the belly.
>
> We'll see.  I don't deny there might be a problem there, but all those who
> are cashing him in already are just a tad bit premature.
>
> > But hey, Byron Russell will solve these problems....
>
> I'm with Joe H. on the Bryon Russell thing, up to a point: I think you can
> make a case for this being a basketball decision.  Russell is a decent NBA
> player with experience.  While Gaston and management may very well be
> looking at the bottom line to the detriment of the team, now and in the
> future, I just don't think it's a given.  I don't mind trading Brown and
> McCarty, but the pick's inclusion is unfortunate.  It may be the team is
> looking to acquire veterans in the next few years, planning on developing
> this "mangled" group of rookies we have now.  In the end, I wouldn't do
> this trade, but it's a close call, and I can't say I'd be too up in arms
> if it were to occur.  I just don't like Russell that much as a player, but
> getting rid of Brown and McCarty's salaries might just be worth it ... .
>
> > Opposition players of note: 'Sheed is so freakishly talented, he's only
> > top-5 in the league talentwise. I can't believe some listmembers think
> > Walker is better or comparable.
>
> I think if you lived out here and saw a lot of Sheed you might feel
> differently.  Paul M. said it well: nice numbers, but if you think Joe
> Johnson has no fire in the belly, than Sheed is not going to be your
> savior.  He's obsessed with being "one of the guys" on a team that needs
> his "leadership" on the court, and need him to be the "go-to guy" in the
> parlance of the NBA.  He doesn't want that.  That doesn't sound too bad,
> until you realize that you're paying him the max to basically be Dale
> Davis.  Meanwhile, Walker will probably produce more for his team than
> Sheed ever will.  But watching Walker every game makes you very familiar
> with his shortcomings: the FG percentage, the stuffs down low, the
> turnovers.  Watching the ubiquitous Blazers here in Oregon makes those of
> us subjected to that torture very familiar with Sheed's own shortcomings.
> Yes, Sheed probably has more raw talent than Walker.  I'd take Walker,
> though, because he's actually going to use more of his talent than Sheed
> seems willing to do.
>
> Bird