Re: end o' da bench

["James A. Hill" <jahill@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I agree with your concern about the free agents except for Blount.  I think
he is worth keeping around if the money is right.  This is a small team and
if this new coach can truly teach "low post" and Blount can improve with
this coaching then he is worth a continued ride.  Wasn't Blount a McDonalds
All American or some such when he was younger?  Players with winning
backgrounds have merit at the end of the bench, IMO, as long as there may be
upside left in his game.  W

As much as I like having Strickland on the team, the addition of Delk means
his spot, IMO, should go to another big guy, like DS.  (If the team can find
a taker for Delk in a trade then keep Strick.)

I would not sign McCarty.  His place should go to someone who may have
upside that got passed up in the draft or from overseas.
<Jim
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**********8

I hope the Celtics' management isn't setting me up to be so disgusted that I
fade away.  It happened many years ago when the Baltimore Colts, my lifelong
team, moved to Indianapolis and made other stupid moves.  I still like their
uniforms, but lost my love.  Now, with the decisions on Blount, McCarty, and
possibly Strickland they will show us whether misplaced loyalty or
determination to get better drives them.  I can see a case for Strickland.
I hailed his coming and think he brings more positives than negatives; the
problem is, "how many tweener guards do we need?"  Presumably, Delk will be
better next year.  He has to be.

But the decisions on Blount and McCarty have me worried.  I think we're
better off with a good pf, such as Songaila might be, or this DD fella, than
with a third rate, bumbling (and occasionally helpful) Blount.  It's not
like Blount helps that much vs. Mutombo or Shaw.  Likewise, McCarty is no
more than a status quo player.  He helps at times, but he's not getting
better or helping much.  And he's already feasted off a gimme contract from
Pitino.  Time's up.

If we try for Rodgers and lose, ok.  But if we give away positions and money
to Blount and McCarty, I think we have lost it before we get started.  It's
not like we're tampering with the core of the team to cut these guys loose.

Cheers,  Gene (enjoying the repartee on Walker and Rodgers.  I feel strongly
both ways.)