RE: Rumors and other stuff

["Ravi Singh" <kelticsfan@xxxxxxxxx>]

I agree with Mark on Ruben Wolkowysky.  The guy definitely has some
skills. I saw him play that preseason with Seattle and he was impressive
during it as well as performing well during the  season when he played.
He is a big body, does have some nice footwork inside given his size,
has decent hands and can make the 15-18 foot shot consistently.  He was
not a great defender but he boxed out very well.  The Sonics were high
on him, however at the time he did not show the consistent intensity in
practice and the games to warrant additional playing time. 

He is not a stiff as some are saying but whether he has developed the
commitment to play hard every night I don't know...

Ravi

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-celtics@igtc.com [mailto:owner-celtics@igtc.com] On Behalf
Of Berry, Mark S
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2002 6:06 AM
To: 'celtics@igtc.com'
Subject: Rumors and other stuff


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