Battie

[Mark Piotrowski <markp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm as into coming up with trade scenarios as the next guy, but I guess 
I just don't get the sudden urge/willingness to trade Battie.  In fact 
I'm borderline horrified at the notion of starting Baker over Battie -- 
if for no other reason its a bit disrespectful to Battie, who's busted 
his ass the last few seasons.  Let Baker come off the bench and, if 
needed and to preserve Battie's knees, play more minutes, but not start 
ahead of him.  Despite Batman's recent health problems:

1.  He's the anchor to our defense.  A role that LaFrentz MAY grow 
into, but only time will tell
2.  He -- along with Ewill -- give so much heart/hustle on the floor 
that i think it will be good for folks like Banks, James and Baker to 
be around.
3.  His contract is finally pretty reasonable.

Unless we're going to get a true PF/C or a star -- Rasheed, Eddy Curry, 
PJ Brown, Kurt Thomas (maybe), etc. -- i'm really not interested in 
moving Battie -- it just doesn't make sense.  I for one am totally not 
willing to go into the year with just LaFrentz (9 days of training 
camp) and Baker (one day at a time) as our only true PF/C's.  As much 
as I'm pulling for Baker (both for his sake and the sake of the team), 
I agree totally with Mark B. that I hope he does well so we can ship 
him and the Dallas pick off to NY for Thomas/Ward (exp. 
contract)/Othello Harrington.

I'd be much more interested in waiting till the trading deadline and 
packaging Ewill and Mills for a PF.  As much as i love him -- he's my 
2nd fav. celtic (behidn PP) -- he just doesn't do much that Jones, 
Brown and McCarty can't also do.  What about:

EWill + Mills --> MEMPHIS:  Stromile Swift & Bo Outlaw

(the other) Mark