Re: Interviewed Wallace Tonight

["Josh Ozersky" <jozersky1@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Good question Troy.  I think he gave me
his take, and I think he gave Ainge his take
too.  Despite his botching the 2001 draft,
I think Ainge respects him and the work he's
done scouting these guys all year, particularly
the euros...also, if there is a deal in place with
Banks, it has his fingerprints all over it... beyond
that, your guess is as good as mine.

Josh
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Troy Hash" <troyhash@kih.net>
To: "Josh Ozersky" <jozersky1@nyc.rr.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2003 12:44 AM
Subject: Re: Interviewed Wallace Tonight


> Hey Josh!  Thanks for info.  Do you feel that he is basically speaking for
> the organization as a whole or just himself with this comments???   Troy
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Josh Ozersky" <jozersky1@nyc.rr.com>
> To: "celtics list" <celtics@igtc.com>
> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2003 12:40 AM
> Subject: Interviewed Wallace Tonight
>
>
> > Re: Peter's question about whether the Celts
> > would draft Collison if they had the chance,
> > I had a long interview with Wallace today.  I
> > could tell he thought a lot of Collison, and so
> > I asked him point blank if the Celtics would
> > take him if he were available.  He didn't come
> > out and say yes, but the answer was yes.  His
> > voice when the said, "he would be a PRIME
> > candidate for us" suggested ardor.  Didn't care
> > that he could only bench 175 four times; he's
> > not drafting him for a power-lifting team.  I think
> > he really likes Collison.  I can tell when Wallace
> > is bullshitting / spinning, and this wasn't it.  This
> > is the guy who did Blue Ribbon Yearbook back
> > at what he loves best.
> >
> > Other impressions I picked up that will go into my hoopsworld
> > draft report include:
> >
> > -- it doesn't sound like they're looking to move up or
> > down, or to pick up a second rounder.  The Celtics
> > seem to feel that they can get two good players
> > where they are.  They can also afford to pay them
> > both next year.
> >
> > -- Wallace is wary about "workout wonders."  Said the
> > best workout he's ever seen was Keith Van Horn,
> > and number two was Keon Clark.  And the Celtics
> > had had Tracy McGrady in.
> >
> > -- asked about making a Kedrick-type deal, and Wallace defended
> > the strategy.   Said if you want your guy it's something
> > you can do.  I asked about the risk of having somebody
> > great fall to you, and not being able to take him.  He said
> > he could live with it.  I asked if it was really incredible, like
> > a Paul Pierce, would they break the promise.  He said that
> > the world of NBA agents is a small one, and you have to
> > keep your word.
> >
> > -- spoke highly of Marcus Banks, saying that he was "explosive,"
> > a "tremendous defender," and a "star"
> > in junior college and at UNLV.  Said they hadn't worked
> > out Barbossa, and that the league he played in was
> > poorly scouted and that he (wallace) had never seen the
> > guy play live.
> >
> > -- Said that TV doesn't do justice to TJ Ford or Kirk Hinrich,
> > who are so quick that you can basically feel the wind when
> > they blow by people.
> >
> > -- said it's harder to judge european players who are young,
> > because even the best of them get only spot minutes from
> > their coaches, who are all Pat Rileys who only like to play
> > veterans.  Also some teams hide good players for contractual
> > reasons, or to keep them from leaving for the US.
> >
> > -- talked about the workouts, how they do strength and
> > flexibility drills, have two guys play each other, or have two
> > on two games so they can show their court sense.  NBA
> > rules say they can't do five on five, or even three on three drills.
> >
> > -- said a team should "throw the roster out the window" when
> > drafting, and don't let roster issues enter into it at all.  Said you
> > should draft entirely for quality.  (!)
> >
> > -- other player quotes:
> > Pavolic:  "impressive," "textbook jumper"
> > that's "always true" and near the rim; athletic but may take some
> > time to develop.  Baby Shaq:  huge, "could be an NFL lineman,"
> > has "tree trunks for legs" can rebound and knows how to play.
> > He's six eight.  Zarko: an older player at 22, very skilled offensively,
> > good ball handler, does one-handed stuff like Connie Hawkins.
> > David West:  Very productive, legit 6 9, "high character guy," blocks
> > shots, scores, experience and mature.  A little thin at the 4 spot at
> > 230 something pounds.  But gets the job done.
> >
> > -- mentioned some other guys, Diaw, Khrypa, Zauh.  Seemed to have a
> > good handle, but to restate:  most enthusiasm was
> > for Pavolic, Banks, and Collison.  He doesn't think Collison
> > or the guy from Georgetown will be available.
> >
> > -- he might not be with the Celtics come draft time, but has
> > briefed everybody really well.  He feels that you should have
> > your player rankings ready to go a day before the draft, and
> > then just hang out and ignore "stock market type surges" in
> > value.  Draft day should basically consist of crossing off
> > players on your list.
> >
> > Please don't repost this.  It's a Hoopsworld exclusive and I haven't
> > written it up yet.
> >
> > Josh