Re: is there...

[CeltsSteve@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 11/7/03 11:42:26 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
kimmalo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

> Er, Steve, um, uh, could you please PLEASE propose a stupid trade or demand 
> that Vin sit so Kendrick can get 30 minutes a game, or something. I um, 
> well, I get ...twitchy... when someone on the list has a whole succession of 
> posts I agree with and think show nothing but good sense <g>



Kim,

Thanks for the kind words.

As it relates to your facetious request that I propose a demand that Vin sit 
in favor of Kendrick,  I couldn't and wouldn't endorse that. Vin needs to be 
playing somewhere around 33 - 35 minutes a night if he's not in foul trouble 
and he has his "A" game going. And in that span of time, I think if he should 
get 12 - 15 shot attempts, With his FG% that's about 12 - 14 points right there 
without any FTs or put backs on offensive rebounds factored in. 

Let's face it. He is the best low post option the C's have. If Ainge is 
successful in implementing a running/uptempo style, then the team should be fast 
breaking at every opportunity. I think all of us are on the same page with that 
thought. 

However, when the break is NOT there, IMO they should run their half court 
sets through Vin as the first option. Initiate the offense by working the ball 
inside to him as he is a good passer who can find the cutter or open man or he 
can also kick it back out to the PG and re-post again. The offense definitely 
should be run inside/out in that type of scenario.

But I absolutely agree with you that Kendrick needs to be getting PT. I think 
that's why it is only a matter of time before Battie is gone. Kendrick is 
making what -- $678K -- vs Battie's $4.4M salary? If Battie can be moved for an 
expiring contract and a draft pick to find PT and accelerate the development of 
Kendrick, I view that as a correct move.  

The Memphis rumor that Ray posted is interesting. The biggest loss would be 
in chemistry with the departure of EWill and Battie -- two vets and two solid 
locker room guys and the team's emotional glue; especially EWill -- but it 
would give the C's one of the premier long distance shooters for the rest of this 
year with his attractive $7.7M expiring contract; a young long term building 
block and a good locker room guy in Battier, and the second rounder. 

Of note is that the C's would be sending out about $11.7M in the three 
contracts of EWill ($5.54M), Battie ($4.4M), and Kedrick ($1.758M) but only taking 
back right now about $10.2M in the contracts of Person ($7.7M) and Battier 
($2.53M). Instead of the second rounder, if I'm Ainge I tell the Logo I want Earl 
Watson ($1.325M) instead of the second rounder  The salaries then are 
virtually an identical wash and the C's have adequately addressed the PG situation for 
the rest of this year. Watson still has one more year after this season left 
on his deal and at short money but would really upgrade the depth at that 
position. THEN Kendick could get the minutes that Battie was getting and I think 
the roster would be more evenly balanced because the logjam at the SF spot 
would be thinned. It would also give O'Brien a viable option in Person to rest 
Pierce so that his (Pierce's) minutes would no longer be an issue, either.
                
    
CeltsSteve