mid-year musings

[Robert Bowman <rbow@mn.mediaone.net>]

i don't have league pass so my thoughts are based on the couple games
i've seen, postings from this list, and game recaps and box scores.

the rookies:

whatever is bothering jj--physical, emotional, mental, someone needs to
help him figure it out and get him back on track. he comes across as an
intelligent player who has an intuitive feel for the game. i think he
could be like havlicek. i would think twice about trading him unless
it's just too good to pass up.

kb: jury is still out. let's get him some regular rotation time so he
knows what to expect and what's expected. evaluate him at the end of the
year. trading him?...same as jj.

forte: hey, let's get him some playing time. billups is blossoming in
minnesota. not that they're the same type of player but it took billups
a few years and some veteran influence to get him on track. he's a
valuable contributor on the twolves and was the starting point while
brandon's been out. twolves had won 9 in a row or something. forte needs
the same type of situation as the other two. regular rotation. what to
expect; what's expected.

summation: the rooks need time to develop and it needs to be done as
much as possible---this year! i don't see how this team as currently
constructed is going deep in the playoffs. do i want to make the
playoffs? of course, but we also need to see who to keep and who to pkg
and trade. all 3 need to know when to play and what's expected of them.
jj and kb should be able to get 20 min a game. forte 12-15. night in and
night out. rotate them in with pierce and walker and kenny. let's build
some chemistry. at least one of the three needs to be a starter and at
least one other a valuable role player--6th, 7th man.

leadership:

is there a blueprint that they're following? there has to be a master
plan. what is it? like many, i was hoping they'd pick up haywood. ok
they didn't, i'm over it. but who plays center? as many have said they
need a center who can play d and rebound. a pet move or two such as a
reliable hook or popout jumper is all that's needed offensively. on this
team with toine and pp and hopefully the development of one of the 3
rooks the center is basically the 4th option. the question is who fits
the bill?  someone posted recently a rundown of possible options.
management needs to evaluate the available options and make it happen.

the draft: it will be here. if jason williams is the tim duncan of this
draft, i.e., a sure thing, then the celtics need to go all out and get
him. lakers got kobe and shaq the same year. dig deep and make it
happen. everyone is saying this is the year of the pg. if so, then we
need to get the best one we can--an allstar and potential allpro.

inside game: i've already mentioned center. the next thing is pf. if
they keep walker, and i'm ambivalent about him, then they need to get a
big pf to bang inside. walker becomes a point forward working in tandem
with jason williams or whoever the point becomes. with 2 decent+ inside
guys walker really blossoms, imo. imagine him on san antonio or the
lakers among others.

guard: they're set with pierce. still need the point. kenny is ok for
the short term and, if he's willing, can help tutor the new guy. if they
get j williams i suspect he'll be ready to roll right away.

summation: the team is playing pretty much to its potential. kudos to ob
for that. not convinced that wallace and his group are the right guys to
lead the management of the team. they for sure know what the needs are
(as if they didn't already). now they need to get at least one more
piece this offseason. keep the cap space open and get the final piece in
'03. if we're not on the road to serious title contention by then it's
gonna be a long century. but, i'm optimistic. celtics in 6 in the '04
finals!

if i'm boss here's what i do:

for sure keep: pierce
for now keep: walker, 3 rooks, and upcoming draft picks. trade walker
and combo only for a for sure piece of the puzzle. i do lean towards
keeping walker if they can get: either 1 dominant inside guy or 2 more
than decent inside guys. also, ob gets to stay. wallace and his
team--they get 2 more yrs provided they do something by way or
trade/draft this yr.
everyone else: expendable


well, not real insightful, i know. i don't put in the time that so many
of you experts do. i enjoy reading all the great postings and know we
all have the same goal: another great run of banners in the near future.
thanks for reading. bob