Re: Old timers..why?

[JB <jimmetz@xxxxxxx>]

	We don't have a point guard on this team and we have no toughness. Old 
timers, young timers, whatever you can get. The pickins' are gettin' 
slimmer by the day. Grant Long was signed today. Khalid El-Amin on 
Friday.
	Other teams have signed unproven points; Smush Parker and Omar Cook. 
For toughness;Tractor Trailor and  Brian Skinner, got their contracts.
	We're talking about paying these guys the minimum salary of about 
650,000 (the league picks up the difference between that and the 
veteran's minimum).
	Have you seen Rod  Strickland play recently? He still has the handle 
and passing skills.  He can still penetrate  and dish. He has three 
point range and has a point guard savvy, that you don't learn in an 
exhibition season.
	Mark Jackson has played at the highest level. Can he give us 15-20 
minutes a game, to keep an offensive flow, so Bremer and S. Williams 
can see how it's done?
	Charles Oakley is a strong man and you don't fool with him, or his 
teammates. Remember how badly we were pushed around, before Vitaly, R. 
Rogers and Fortson came on board? We are back to square one in the 
intimidation dept. and don't think that teams won't use that card.
	 I'm not saying these guys are all-stars, but for cheap money, I'd 
rather have them to  call on than Bremer and Wolkowyski, if  we do see 
N.J. in the finals again.
	I'm not saying these players  can lead us to a championship, but we 
don't need them to. We have Walker, Pierce and Baker to do that, but if 
we don't back them up with some toughness and  a point guard who can 
break a press and beat a trap, it could be a  very frustrating season.
	
		JB


On Monday, September 30, 2002, at 02:37  AM, GuyClinch@AOL.com wrote:


> >    Mark Jackson, Greg Anthony and Rod Strickland would all make this 
> > team
> > better,     in an instant. So would Charles Oakley (now that Gary 
> > Trent is
> > gone); to                 address Michael Marlowe's concern
> > about adding
> > toughness.
> Hmm...
> I think this list overrates some of these old timers..
> I don't get the fascination with these guys. There are reasons
> why they are unsigned.
>
> It is that Oak, Mark Jackson and Rod Strickland are dead and done. 
> Veteran "savy" doesn't get you championships.
>
> The Celtics didn't lose to the Nets because they were missing Charles 
> Oakley. Bleh. That guy was never that good in his prime. He has put up 
> crap numbers the last few years..and his teams don't seem to exactly 
> win because of him. Why do people like this guy? Cause he cheats..and 
> fouls? People treat him like Robert Horry..heck he isn't even as good 
> as A.C Green right now.
>
> Jackson? That guy couldn't stop a point guard from Princeton nevermind 
> a NBA quality guard. Sure he can pass...but his ponderous ball 
> handling, as well as his lead feet should keep him off the Celtics 
> roster...thank God. Likely Dick Harter would resign if they signed > 
> him.
>
> J.R. Bremer while not a name is an athletic stud. I would rather take 
> my chances with him.
>
> And Rod Strickland..isn't he a legendary Coleman like malcontent? I 
> hope the Celtics never get that desperate.
> The last time he showed much talent was back when Jackson
> was a rookie..and that's cause he was playing in NY.
> NYC plays up any modest player into a "superstar"...Bleh.
>
> Greg Anthony can still play though. He is the guy I would sign
> out of that lot. Gary Trent would have been a solid addition as well. 
> That guy can play too.
>
> What the Celtics need are a few more guys who can play.
> Rodney looked like a superstar because he was the fourth guy
> on the team who could play...
>
> Lets hope Vin can still play..though I think he might be
> another Kemp.
>
> Pete