Re: Celts save $50,000; Best signs for vet. minimum

[Eggcentric@xxxxxxx]

< No, shame on Travis Best and his agent for attempting
to get more than they had any right to ask for.... > - Ryan

If you were Best, wouldn't you feel you owed it to yourself to test 
the market prior to accepting the minimum from the first team you
talked to?  And wouldn't you expect the Celts would give you at least
48 hours to get back to them on their offer?

< and who cares anyway...it's not like the Marcus Banks isn't going to be 
playing between 30-35 minutes a night anyway. > - Ryan  

I care.  Counting on that many minutes from a rookie is a tad optimistic,
n'est ce pas?  You leave little room for poor performance, injury, or the 
''rookie wall.''   A more savvy veteran PG than James just might have 
been a bit more beneficial to Banks.  As is, cocky rookie Banks has no 
competition and no mentor.  He is already obnoxiously full of himself, and
if handed the keys, well ... we might be looking at another undisciplined, 
out-of-control Toine in the making.  Pierce and Walker will likely accept 
Banks' ''tude'' if he puts his game where his mouth is.  If not, there goes 
the neighborhood, and with it, team chemistry.

< Furthermore, Mike James is cheaper, younger (and thus, at least 
in theory, less likely to be injured), hungier to make his mark, 
and a larger guard (who can provide a good deal of strength against
the Jason Kidds of the world). > - Ryan 

James is not that much younger than Best. He is 28 yrs. old.  Nor is 
he large enough to provide your ''good deal of strength against the 
Jason Kidds of the world.''  His agent measured him at 6' 2''. Hope the 
metal lifts in his sneaks don't cause him problems as he attempts 
to get through the airport scanners on his way to training camp.  

CAREER AVERAGES: 

Best    (.435 FG%, .355 3P%, .829 FT%, 3.8 APG, 8.2 PPG)
James   (.371 FG%, .301 3P%, .725 FT%, 2.8 APG, 7.0 PPG)

Eggy