Re: CELTICS GET WHAT THEY DESERVE

["Lance Jacobson" <lancejacob@xxxxxxxxx>]

The Celtics were unbelievably, appallingly stupid to
let Strickland walk without having had serious talks
with Best's people. Was there any contingency in
place? I would have been having these discussions with
both sides weeks ago. >>Peter Delevett


I'd read that the Celts had talked to Best's people this summer.  The report
indicated that Best wanted more money and a multi-year contract offer.

I'm sure that the Celts brass (and they have plenty of brass) responded with
something on the order of supply/demand issues and that there were likely only
so many teams with any money to spend, and that Best may well be left off the
lists of those seeking Watson, Daniels, Hudson, Anderson, Strickland and
others.  Musical chairs--Wallace was quoted as essentially betting that enough
teams would stay under the cap to restrict the available spots for free agent
PGs, and that they'd expect that Best, or someone near his level, would be
available at the minimum by the end of summer.  Strick left for what I believe
is the same money he was offered here, or close, as he was insulted by the
offer and the trades after all he'd done for the team.

The Celts understood the risks; they assumed that they would have a better
selection of bargain-priced players.  The worst thing is that Wallace told me
last year that their next priority was finding a replacement to groom for
Kenny Anderson.  No way that plan was ever put in place, obviously.  The
second worst thing is that we've got our PG responsibilities in the hands of
an unproven, 2nd round dropout and a guy who's not impressed anyone in 3
seasons.  For a team that made the Final Four, that's "ludicrisp".