Right Idea, Wrong Player

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The idea is a sound one.

Since Dino Radja (?) or beyond to Parish/McHale, the Celtics
have desperately needed a low post presence. Especially in the
perimeter weeny Eastern Conference, where having a big
man imparts a bountiful advantage.

But making Vin Baker that low post presence is a sour pill to
swallow, because of his exhorbitant contract, declining productivity,
age,
injury problems, and psychological difficulties.

Who would have been the right player for the job?

The rightist of the right would have been one Pau Gasol, whom the
Celtics may very well  have traded up in the draft for,
if they hadn't set aside the 11th pick in a deal with Kedrick Brown's
agent.

But Gasol is not alone. Equally applicable to the task, could have been
Eddy
Curry, Nick from Georgia, Chris Wilcox, Nene Hillario, and Amare
Stoudamire.

If only the Celtics had practiced better management of their past draft
choices.

If. If. If.

In the Pitino - Wallace management era, the ifs are what we've grown
accustomed to.

If the Celtics had taken Tracy McGrady instead of Mercer; if the Celtics
had drafted
Courtney Alexander instead of Moiso; if the Celtics hadn't cut a deal
with Brown's agent;
if the Celtics had shown a little patience and foresight and let the
Denver pick roll;
if the Celtics hadn't traded away Johnson and a draft pick (which would
have
brought them a damn good PG in Dickau) for Rogers.

Lots of ifs, lots of questions, lots of stumbling around for answers
that
don't seem to be there.
Ray