Why Joe Johnson isn't untouchable

["Berry, Mark S" <berrym@BATTELLE.ORG>]

I like Joe and think he'll be a good player, but the suggestions that he
should be off-limits unless we're talking about Tim Duncan are unrealistic.

Joe started off with seven strong games, when he scored double figures five
times and at least 20 points twice. Since then, however, in 23 games, he's
averaging just 6 points per game and shooting 40 percent from the field.
He's only gone to the line 20 times in 30 games.

He's a nice player, but if he can land an impact big man like Lafrentz,
Jackson or Clark, you don't let him hold up the deal. Not when you already
have Pierce and expect big things from Kedrick Brown.

Moot point. Like Kestas, I don't expect much of anything from the Celts
until summer of 2003.

Mark