Re: Read It and Weep

["pmaurice" <damekmo@teleport.com>]

Josh, am I wrong or are you a little upset about this?


----- Original Message -----
From: Josh Ozersky <jozersky1@nyc.rr.com>
To: celtics list <celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2002 11:10 PM
Subject: Read It and Weep


>       The Celtics Report, Featuring Joe Johnson
>       By: Josh Ozersky
>       February 22 2002, 11:07 pm
>       Joe Johnson Line for Friday, Feb. 22
>
>
>       11-18, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 turnovers. Put this down with "Paul
> Pierce stabbed in bar"and "ML Carr to name himself as coach" among my
favorite
> Celtic memories of recent years.
>
>       I never come out and say Celtics news is a disaster -- but this is a
> disaster for the franchise. Worse than the Potapenko pick, which at least
> supplied a scarce long-term asset in a semi-skilled, fundamentally sound,
> powerful young big man. Far worse the Billups trade, which at least was
made
> in good faith. (Boston thought they were getting a top-ten point guard.) I
> don't know if it's ever happened in Boston history -- a young player as
> obviously talented, skilled, and selfless as Johnson traded away this
early in
> his career. I can hardly believe it has happened. This guy was as
pass-first
> as a point guard, could pass and shoot off the dribble, had forward size
and
> the handle of a six-footer, effortless speed, and was completely cerebral
in
> his approach to the game. He couldn't flourish in a freakishly stagnant,
> ill-formed offense that would have stymied Magic Johnson, so we traded him
> away. To some salary cap space.
>
>       How could this have happened? Each day that goes by makes me more
> incredulous, more overwhelmed and depressed. The Celtics should have a fan
> appreciation night where they give out Xanax at the door. Or maybe a
portrait
> of a Celtic "dream team" of Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, Shawn Marion, Andre
> Miller, and Joe Johnson, with Larry Bird coaching. Alright, capitano! I'm
> ready. Fire at will.