Rumors and other stuff

["Berry, Mark S" <berrym@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks to Josh for the info from Wallace. It's really nice to have that line
to the Celtics.

I haven't posted on any of this, because I just don't know what to think.
Ruben W. (I'll learn how to spell his last name if we actually sign the guy)
for some reason made a good impression on me in a game against the Celtics a
couple of years ago. I don't remember if it was a preseason game or one of
the trips to Seattle, but he played tough and rebounded. I remember thinking
he would be a nice pickup, and being surprised later that he had become such
a complete non-factor. For that small reason alone, I'm hoping they sign
Ruben.

As for mustard boy, I have no idea. I watched some of the Yugoslavian games
in the World Championships, and he never did anything to stand out to me.
He's not skinny, but he's not big either. Kind of reminds me of Scott
Pollard of the Kings, only not as active (which, to be honest, is the key to
Pollard's effectiveness). But I hesitate to form any strong opinions,
because the international and NBA games are completely different. Who knows
how effective he might be under NBA rules? 

I don't know... Wallace says they don't want to sign a point guard unless
he's a difference-maker. Fine. But these big guys aren't difference-makers.
Yes, they need another big man, but just adding another big man doesn't help
if he isn't going to (or can't) play. I'm the biggest proponent of this team
getting stronger up front, but I'm not so sure they wouldn't be better
served by signing an impact scorer to come off the bench-a Walt Williams,
for example. Let's face it, if Kedrick doesn't come through big-time that
bench is going to be pathetic, especially offensively. I just don't see how
either of these foreign big men make a real difference on this team if
Walker, Baker and Battie stay healthy.

Rod Strickland would have been interesting. He's a nut and he may have
ruined chemistry, but he IS a point guard. Oh well, not going to happen.

Stackhouse trade... the Pistons just took a step back. The Wizards took a
step up. Don't be surprised to see those teams finish very close to each
other this season. I could see both teams making the playoffs, although I
think Detroit will really struggle to score.

Finally, I wanted to  touch on this Pierce-Andre Miller thing. I think
Miller is getting unfairly attacked. All we know is he had a dust-up with
Pierce. Nothing wrong with that for either guy. We know Pierce is an
emotional, confident guy. He wants the ball and says so. Remember the
incident in the playoffs when he threw a little fit when a last-second play
wasn't called for him? I don't hold that against him, and I don't hold
anything he might have said to Miller against him. Just as I don't blame
Miller. He's a point guard. He has to make decisions that not everyone will
like. Pierce is used to an offense starts with him much of the time, not a
point guard-oriented offense. There was a conflict. No big deal. Andre
Miller was a huge winner in college, including a trip to the NCAA finals his
senior season without Keith Van Horn. He is the leading assist man in the
NBA, even though he plays on a team without any offensive threats. He
rebounds, plays defense and scores when needed. His reputation is spotless.
I'm not going to suddenly consider him a selfish loser because he had a
disagreement with Pierce. And the Bucher blurb about anonymous teammates
hating Pierce... it did say "teammates" and it didn't single out Miller. I
think anyone criticizing Pierce for his play in that tournament needs to
take a long look in the mirror, but I'm not ready to hang Andre Miller for
those comments. As for the criticism of Miller's play in the loss to
Yugoslavia... he and Pierce were the only guys on the team with the guts to
shoot down the stretch. Was every decision perfect? Of course not, but he
wasn't afraid. Same with Pierce. I'll take both guys on my team.

Mark