Here's What We Know

[wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

- The Celtics are a offensively-stagnant team. If I wanted Detroit Pistons,
1990sstyle basketball, I would have moved to the Motor City, well, what 
untorched buildings there are.

- Mike James is the Incubus of Fast Break Basketball.
He needs to be banished and soon. What was Ainge thinking?
He wants a running team and then provides the Celtics with
two of the least functioning running PGs in the Cosmos.
Aye Carumba!

- Seattle needs to be the No. 1 Celtics trading destination, as the two 
teams match up well, concerning each other's needs.
The Sonics need defenders and centers, while the Celtics require offenders
and creators.

Murray's great play may free up Barry or Ridnour to be traded
after Allen returns, as "Flip" has been guaranteed a spot in the
rotation by Coach McMillan.  

The question is: Who or what do the Celtics have that could interest
the Sonics?  

Well, Cap Space with Williams and Mills, first round picks,
and Defenders/Centers like Brown, Battie, and Blount may do. 
The Sonics would probably be very interested in Perkins,
but Ainge isn't moving Banks or him.

- Battie and Brown should be dealt: before Battie suffers another injury, to
make room for Perkins and Welsch, and to add some scoring to the lineup.

- LaFrentz needs to be in the starting lineup ASAP, and find someone who can
pass him the ball, within like 15 feet of the hoop.

- The Celtics definitely need another offensive option, especially someone --
with the paucity of true PG play -- who can create their own offense. 

- Perhaps Banks is simply not a great finisher. He's certainly not a great outside
shooter or passer at the moment either.  Earl Boykins is a fine finisher,
and it's likely related to the fact that he has big time shooting
range. He's able to draw the coverage away from the hoop; Banks
shows no shooting range, so there's simply no reason to go out and cover him.  
In fact, teams should play two to three feet off him and force him to hit
outside shots - best neutralization for his quickness.

- Jimbo ain't no run & gun type of coach, however he does have them playing
good defense. But at what cost to the offense?  They seem to be a 70 - 30 defense to
offense team. Sure defense is important, but the name of the game is to
swish the ball through the hoop easily. Nothing comes easy on offense for
the Celtics and it starts with Jimbo and the the PGs.  
Ray