Moore

[Peter Delevett <pdelevett@xxxxxxxxx>]

The real story behind the Mikki Mouse, er, Moore
signing is, this is proof positive that Baker is
beyond salvation, at least in O'Brien's eyes. What did
he say was the top attribute he was looking to add?
Toughness. Had Grant Long been available, it would
only have underlined the point: Long, who's 300 years
old, would still have been preferable to Baker and his
$51 million contract. 

Think about the opportunity Baker has been handed:
Battie, Boston's only competent (most charitable word
I could find) big man, is out hurt. Baker's *totals*
in the two games since Battie's been out? 12 points,
14 rebounds. That "the best player in the NBDL," as
the Globe dubbed Moore, is seen by the coaching staff
as an upgrade over Baker makes ME want to go on the
injured list.

O'Brien should really thanks Wallace for signing up
those twin towers of effectiveness, Sundov and
Willywonka. The good news about Ruben's appendectomy
is that it won't affect his contribution on the floor.
In fact, he's been about as useful AS an appendix.
(Not to slam Wallace alone here, because Obie was the
one going on and on and on about big men being able to
shoot the three. Somehow I doubt Moore had to go
through a three-point-shooting drill to land the job.)

Globe hit it right on the head the other day that for
Boston to get anywhere - not this season, but ever -
its talent base will have to be more than "Pierce and
Walker and pray for threes." Statistically, Delk and
Shammond have filled the gap left by Kenny and
Strickland, but there's nobody approaching a competent
frontcourt scorer, let alone somebody with the
toughness & professionalism Rogers and Strickland
brought. Baker is anti-tough. 
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