re: Let's hope the leaks killed the trade

[bird <birdwl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> From: "Berry, Mark S" <berrym@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Believe it or not, I'd prefer either Grant or Croshere-even
> straight up-to Baker.
Not so hard to believe at all -- I happen to agree.  (Ah, wait, I just 
figured it out.  Anyway.)  The story with Grant is about his injuries, not 
about his talent or drive.  I'd take the chance.  And Croshere had that 
great seaon/playoffs under Bird.  Maybe he needs a change of scenery.  
These are things I can be sold on.  You may have to buy me dinner first.  
Perhaps a little sweet-nothings in my ear.  But Baker I cannot be sold on.

The thing with Baker is threefold: 1) he's a former All-Star in the East 
and seems to play well against the East.  Let's bring him back to the East!
  Only this sounds tenuous to begin with, plus, if all the power forwards 
come over to the East, it'll be like he's playing in the West again, and 
will suck.  (Oh, he'll have a decent month or two, but then he'll go back 
to sucking).  2) He's from New England.  I don't care.  3)  The man is 
clearly on the decline of his career.  Now, people have said this about a 
lot of players.  Anderson springs to mind.  But the difference is, you can 
see it in Baker's body; he's gotten much less mobile, much slower, much 
bulkier without accompanying strength.  In short, he's what passes in the 
NBA for a big tub of goo.  (Oh, he'd kick my behind in any athletic event,
 but you know how it is, "we" call people at the median weight "fat" so 
what do "we" know?)

It is possible that Baker *would* rejuvenate his career.  "Possible" in 
the sense that, say, you survive a fall from a very great height.  In the 
sense that any child can grow up to be President.  In the sense that 
humanity will "grow up" and one day pull it together enough to go out and 
peaceably explore outer space -- like on some sort of vast "star trek" or 
something -- on a grand scale.  "Possible" in those sense of the word.

Didn't this whole thing kind of have the smack of Seattle's desperation 
about it right from the start, though?  Probably an attempt to bank on the 
whole "Baker back to NE" thing to begin with.  That, and they know one of 
the Celts' weaknesses (big man).  Look, they'd be looking at taking on 
Kenny Anderson's contract for a year.  How desperate can you be?

Bird