Re: why did we re-up OB?

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I thought it was a mistake not to wait. O'Brien still had a year
left on the original contract. They lost out on Larry Brown,
a much better coach by not waiting. And if not Brown, then
someone else better than O'Brien would have been available this offseason.
Perhaps Nelson? Any ways, as the new Head of Basketball Operations, Ainge
had a leeway period to evaluate things and could have postponed action
on the OBrien issue to see what other options were out there.

On Walker: Give it up, Mark. He's here for part of next season at least.
You don't refer to a player as a cornerstone of your franchise (unless
your name is Pitino) and then trade him two months later.  I'd like to see
Walker gone too, and I'd definitely try to grease the skids for a future
departure, by  going all out in the draft for
Lampe, as besides a PG, the Celtics biggest need is a 6-10 to 7-2
guy who can have an impact/replace Toine at PF, but Walker is safe for awhile.
Ray


> > ** Original Subject:  why did we re-up OB?
> > ** Original Sender: "Berry, Mark  S" <berrym@BATTELLE.ORG>
> > ** Original Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 12:15:27 -0700 (PDT)
>
>
> >The following post, and Paul M.'s, nail it. Douglas is right that the
> > extension for Obie isn't that daunting. It probably has a buyout. They all
> > do. So why bother with the extension? Because otherwise, you're sending a
> > coach out there who is a lame duck. You're signaling to the players that
> > Obie really isn't your guy and you're not committed to him past this season.
> > That's a bad recipe for any team, but some of the players on this team have
> > a history of quitting on a coach. Why make it easy for them by telling them
> > they'll have a new coach next season anyway?
> >
> > As for trades... You're both right. Ainge didn't say he wouldn't trade
> > Antoine. He said he had "no intention" of trading him. He said he wouldn't
> > make that phone call-he didn't say he wouldn't answer the phone. You want
> > honesty and forthrightness from Ainge? Too bad. He's not going to  do it. He
> > won't be sharing his innermost thoughts on draft picks, trades and free
> > agency. The closest we're going to get to his current thought process is to
> > go back and look at what he said as an analyst, when he WAS at liberty to
> > share those thoughts. So what does that tell us? He doesn't like the style
> > of play and he doesn't think Antoine and Pierce are guys you build a team
> > around. So you do the math. I'll be shocked if Antoine is with the team next
> > season. I really expect him to be traded IF Ainge can get a fair deal. But
> > does anyone think the best avenue for Ainge to take is to come out and
> > announce his plans to trade Antoine? Of course not.
> >
> > No, something is going to change. The Obie extension means it won't be the
> > coach. A couple of mid-round draft picks aren't the answer. So... you're
> > back to Antoine. Wait and see.
> >
> > Mark
> >
> >
> > --- --- ---
> >
> > Douglas wrote:
> >
> >      Good lord, he's a near-failure already?  First, he didn't say he
> > wouldn't trade Walker; I think he said he wouldn't shop him.  Remember the
> > sullen
> > Walker when word was out that Pitino might be shopping him around?  We want
> > to go
> > that route again?  Significant difference.  Plus, NEVER believe anyone who
> > says he won't trade a given player.  Everyone has a price.  Pierce for
> > Duncan,
> > Bryant, Wallace & Kidd?  I think Paul would be gone.  Second, on Obie.  Obie
> >
> > does seem to have rapport with the players.  A two-year contract is pretty
> > short, easily discardable in the vent he has to be canned.  I think Ainge is
> > doing
> > OK by acting somewhat positive towards this team instead of putting out
> > messages that tell them they are all a bunch of worthless slugs AFTER St.
> > Paul.
> >      And on an unrelated note, it will be interesting to see how hands-on
> > Ainge is with regards to style of play.  DO GMs often get into designing
> > offenses
> > and plays?  I really don't know and am asking, not hinting that I know the
> > answer.
>
> >** --------- End Original Message ----------- **