Tough call, but my first reaction is Anderson, with several asterisks.
In no particular order, asterisk #1 is his physical condition -- can he have
another year like this year? Asterisk #2 is similar: I figure he has at most
three productive years left, so am taking the question as asking about
untouchables for the 2002-03 team ONLY. And Asterisk #3, a big, huge
asterisk, is his role on the team. I know very little about how he gets
along with the Big Two, or what sort of locker room presence he is. If he is
not a strong, veteran, leadership presence, contributing to strong team
chemistry off and on the court, then he drops out of consideration for this
third slot. In favor of ...?
I must admit, I like Strickland for his apparent contribution to
chemistry, etc. Isn't he as close as we have had in some time to Vinnie
Johnson?
Oh hell, I don't know. Pay me $4,000,000 per year and THEN I'll tell
you.
<G> Yeah, when I asked I was thinking that Anderson is probably my choice,
but as you point out there are a lot of ifs. I actually give Kenny credit
that I think he'll come in in shape again and has accepted the reduced role
now that he's gotten a taste of the potential payoff. He gets the money
anyway and I think he'd honestly like to win enough to do what it takes, so
long as the money's a given. I think the thing on Kenny is that I would
trade him if it involved a near replacement or possible upgrade, but don't
think we can afford to otherwise because our own offense is so
underdeveloped and we don't have a real replacement. Delk's biggest
weakness at the point isn't the obvious ones of pure skills so much as lack
of court vision. He just doesn't LOOK enough and when he does, he doesn't
see what's there. The first you can change, the second I think is more
instinct. And I don't want Walker continually playing the point because
we're better served otherwise. Strick I love for his toughness, and he
actually does see things a bit better than Delk, but the offense still
doesn't usually flow as well with him in there. He's the one that I'm
afraid is gone that I'm sorry about.