RE: West/Ainge - puzzles within a puzzle

["John Lyell" <jlyell@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I am still confused with Jerry's draft. He can't play Williams and Bell
together and not get killed defensively.
Maybe one of them and Swift will be going somewhere in a deal. I expect they
were looking at Hayes or Gaines.

John




-----Original Message-----
From: owner-celtics@xxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-celtics@xxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
Wright, Cecil
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 7:06 AM
To: Celtics@xxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: West/Ainge - puzzles within a puzzle


Eggy,

I don't think it was West making the phone calls but rather Leo.  In
swapping selections, he obviously saved a few bucks and got the 2 guard to
play alongside white chocolate.  With Bell, the Griz have more versatility
in that he can play both spots.  Had he stuck with Banks, he would have 2
points after just having acquired Williams last year.  As well, Jones
provides insurance at the 2 spot where Michael Dickerson has been
injury-plagued for the past few years.

Obviously West and Hubie were looking for someone else with their first pick
but must have been beaten to the punch.

Cecil

-----Original Message-----
From: Eggcentric@xxxxxxx [mailto:Eggcentric@xxxxxxx]
Sent: June 27, 2003 10:43 AM
To: Celtics@xxxxxxxx
Subject: West/Ainge - puzzles within a puzzle


I have never seen Banks, Perkins, or Dahntay Jones play, but am quite
familiar with the assets/liabilities of Troy Bell having closely followed
Boston College.  Much as I appreciate Bell's college play and character,
I am afraid he will be yet another 6 ft. SG-PG pro tweener.

I have high respect for Jerry West, but cannot understand his moves
in this draft.  He obviously prefers BELL TO BANKS or he would have just
stuck with Banks at #13 and still easily obtained his man Dahntay (rated
a #40-50 pick) at #27.  Put another way, if West so liked Bell over Banks,
why didn't he simply draft Bell at #13 and Jones at #27 instead of
having to trade for them?  It would have saved his team 150 phone calls
at .07 per minute and $29,500 on salaries... not much but every little bit
counts.

Is there a future consideration owed West for agreeing to draft Banks and
turn him over to us?

Rookie salary scale:
#16 $1,071,200
#20    $886,400
Total:  $1,957,600

#13 $1,249,500
#27    $678,600
Total:  $1,928,100

I am hoping that Banks will be all that Ainge thinks he can be. Maybe
Banks will prove to be a tasty hors d'oeuvre instead of the tree toad
that many, aside from Ainge, think he is. Maybe there is tons of untapped
luscious to him, but early on, based upon his UNLV play and prior to the
Ainge rumor (denied to the very end by both Ainge and Bank's agent) Banks
was considered about the 8th best PG in the draft.  Like a miracle capable
of staggering sextillions of infidels (Celt fans), without workouts, his
stock kept RISING ON NUTTIN giving us the impression that we have
drafted a hot one.

I only wonder if Bank's alleged speed, ''D'',  drive and dish, questionable
perimeter shooting, and questionable character will ever equal his
''hype'' strategy.  What will Danny do if Obie stubbornly prefers the solid
but unspectacular Bremer to him?  I am hearing rumors that Banks is
another Joe Forte personality, but if he can translate his bravado into
deeds of beauty on the court, then no problem

Is this draft merely full of marble before it blooms of statues?  We
won't know the results of this particular embryo draft for years to
come what with such parity and confusion after the first ten locks.

Maybe I am in the gutter looking at the stars, but I feel Ainge has
at least addressed the right questions (PG and Center).  I can only
now hope Banks and Perkins will eventually prove to be the right
answers.

Egg