Allow Me to Clarify

["Josh Ozersky" <jozersky1@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Garnett is an impact player, of course; with his
talent, basketball IQ, and skill level, how could he
not be?  But he doesn't really impose himself on a
game; in a big game, I'll take Sam Cassell or even
Antoine.  Like David Robinson, Garnett has never been
able to translate his unearthly abilities into
winning, or even for that matter competing at the
highest level.  Sure sure, if he was in the east, he
would play the Nets in the conference finals.  BFD.  I
want a guy who will make an impact on the W and L
column, not just fill a stat sheet.

I just think that there is a vogue now for
multi-skilled, ultra-mobile seven-footers, just as a
few years ago everyone wanted "Scottie Pippin types"
i.e. slashing 6'8" point forwards.  But in fact, very
few of these "KG clones" is even comparable to the
original, and EVEN THE ORIGINAL CAN'T TAKE OVER A
GAME.  I don't think that KG is a top three player, or
a top five player, or even a top ten player in the
NBA.  Call me crazy, or call me a pervert.  I'll take
the guy who you can hand the ball to in the fourth
quarter and say, "carry us on your back, champ."  That
means Shaq, Kobe, Duncan, Kidd, Pierce, Cassell,
Iverson, Gary Payton, Steve Francis.  NOT Ray Allen,
Kevin Garnett, Jamal Mashburn, Rasheed Wallace, Chris
Webber, or the other stat-stuffers.  (The jury is
still out on Tracy McGrady.)

I want a winner with my top-five pick.  Period.
Skills, athleticism, upside, and all the rest of it
are only means to one end:  winning.

Josh


  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Josh Ozersky
  To: celtics list
  Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2003 6:28 PM
  Subject: Trade Yes, but not for Bosh


  If we do trade Antoine for a top five pick,
  -- and I have to say I hope we do, since his
  body will never measure up to his heart --
  I really think the guy we should target is Ford,
  not Bosh.  So many "Garnett Clones" have turned
  out to be non-impact players -- like Garnett himself.
  Ford is my guy; he can create scoring opportunities
  all over the court, get shots for raw athletes like
  Kedrick Brown and Alexsandr Pavlovic (say) and
  take pressure off Pierce in a way Antoine can't.
  I love to watch him pass and penetrate.  He's a real
  point guard, and I want him, not Bosh, in green.
  I'm not even sure I would take Bosh over Mike Sweeney,
  who is a true beast with pro success written all over him.

  Josh