Ruben Wolkowysky

[bird <birdwl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> From: "hironaka@xxxxxxxxx"<hironaka@xxxxxxxxx>
>
> Ruben Wolkowysky (can we just call him "W"?) had 9 points
> with 9 boards and an assist in 28 minutes versus Team
> USA. It appears that he played in Moscow last year. There
> isn't much written on this guy so far...but change the
> keyword to "Dubya" and you get a whole nuther story.
You get what you pay for, as my grandpappy used to say.  Who knew it would 
ever be applicable in the NBA?  The Celts are getting just about anyone 
they can for the minimum, and if the guy is only worth the minimum, the 
chances that he'll have a major effect on the team decrease.  However, you 
get enough guys for the minimum, as the C's seem to do doing, and at least 
*one* of them will get significant time, right?

Looks as if the guys from "Dreamwater.com" didn't give W much a chance 
(4-5 games) before labeling him a bust, though he seemed to put up some 
decent numbers in the Worlds.  Can't wait for training camp to actually 
see these guys play.  If either Sundov or W can be effective backup big 
men in the league, Wallace has pulled another rabbit out of the hat of 
despair.  'Course he'll never be able to re-sign them in that case, but...
 .

Almost no matter who the 12th guy turns out to be, this team has changed 
most dramatically from last year.  The coaching staff's going to have to 
make some serious changes, especially on offense.  Baker needs to be used,
 otherwise, what's the point?  I'm not a huge "inside-out" strategy fan, 
but it could prove effective for next year's team.  I hope Obie alters his 
thinking a bit, as plugging the new guys into the slots the old guys 
inhabited is probably a recipe for disaster.  (Vin Baker jumping out on 
the pick-and-roll really scares me.)  Obie's better off using the guys 
Wallace gives him.

I sure wish the management triumvirate (Obie-Wallace-Pond) were more on 
the same page.  You know, Wallace gets (or keeps) the guys Obie wants, and 
Pond ponies up the dough.  The way it is, Wallace is just making do, Obie'
s making do, and this'll probably trickle down to us fans making do, as 
well.  Vin Baker has to regain most of his All-Star form.  Just has to.  
At least, that's what I'm hoping for.

Bird