Re: Peter May Attacks The Devil Ainge

[Eggcentric@xxxxxxx]

<Oh well, at least I can recognize a con artist, even if I don't know shit 
about basketball and can't tell a "snake" from an earnest Mormon boy :) > 
- Kestas

Now Kesty, don't go getting all down on yourself just because you aren't
an expert in Reptilia.

< That said, if Ainge indeed staffs this team with the 'sheeds, rubens, 
eddie griffins and their ilk from the "endless parade of [athletic] human 
debris" (to borrow a phrase from Rush Limbaugh) ... >

Limbaugh, really? I thought that came from perky little Fox News 
sensation, Sheppy Smith, in describing the Democratic candidates.

<... then I'll admit that your "screeching" about Ainge's chosen strategy 
and methods was well-founded. On the other hand, if being a solid citizen 
is so much more important than talent in the NBA, why did you bemoan 
the signing of solid-guy, but relatively untalented Mike James? >

Because it is NOT more important than talent, just AS important?
James does come off as a really good guy and not a bad player.  He just 
isn't the point guard Ainge felt he might be.  Neither is Banks.  

<Anyway, I think that one head case in Ricky Davis is enough for the 
current team. >

But how many highly-talented players are available UNLESS they are 
head cases?  Otherwise no team would want to trade Sheed, Bonzi, Ricky, 
Steve Francis, etc. ... all the <<''bargains<'' Ainge has and continues to 
pursue in his quest to improve our athleticism. 

< It's not like Ainge has replaced all the solid guys on the Celtics 
with headcases.  >

Nothing more serious than a few learning disabilities, minor
character flaws, and one-dimensional talent.  

< He saw an opportunity to significantly upgrade the talent level and 
he took it. As I and others have said many times before, players like 
EWill, while valuable and necessary, are a lot easier to obtain than 
major talents like Ricky. >

I'm afraid players like EWill are a lot more rare and valuable than you 
suspect. The NBA isn't exactly brim full with these types (on-court 
generals and clubhouse leaders).  Had I not been made quite so aware 
of my disturbing innuendoes, I might even suggest a connection between 
Vin Baker going off the wagon and the EWill (his chief support-system) 
trade.

<It's called UPPPPside: while Ricky potentially (!) can be made to play 
good D and is potentially capable of maturing into a solid veteran who 
also has fantastic talent, EWill can never have the sort of athleticism 
and talent that Ricky possesses.   In other words, EWill falls into the 
"necessary but insufficient" category, while Ricky Davis can potentially 
be both. >

Mebbe, mebbe not.  

< That, of course, won't happen while Obie Junior's coaching the team 
(what was Ainge thinking?!) >

I believe < ''A smooth transition to inflict the least amount of trauma to 
our squad<'' is the company line.  Really, Kestas, what else could Ainge 
do but quickly appoint an interim coach from among our assistants?  
After so graciously receiving Obie's 3-month notice, he sent Obie packing 
the same day. Those close to the team are scratching their heads over 
why Lester wasn't named ahead of Carroll.  I also hear Auerbach is 
pissed he wasn't given first shot. Sorry, little ''acerbic'' joke. 

< Davis will need a real coach and to be surrounded by solid veterans to 
even have a chance. >

Now this kills me. What solid veterans do we have left ... Pierce, Blount, 
and McCarty?  Isn't this what some of our differences are all about? 
Of course Ainge and the owners don't feel they have torn apart our team; 
they honestly feel they have merely added more youth and athleticism to 
supplement a slightly better-than-average team.  Did you happen to catch 
Wyc's quote in Ray's Ainge Turns Playoff Contender To Mediocre Team 
post?
    "I absolutely, categorically reject the notion of rebuilding," 
    Grousbeck said. "It's a year marred by injuries and off-the-court 
    problems." > - Howard Ulman 

Just wondering how you interpret that.

<If you're skeptical about Davis's chances of maturing, I don't blame 
you - I'm skeptical myself. But it's a gamble worth taking for 50 cents 
on the dollar. >

And worth every penny of it.  You get what you pay for.  Think we can
turn around now and trade him for 75 cents on the dollar when we were
high bidder at fifty cents?

< Ricky Davis also has that "fire" that eludes a lot of talented players 
(Joe Johnson comes to mind). > 

RICKY DAVIS is a truly talented individual - a park league pick-up team
phenom unable to conform to any NBA team structure either on offense 
or defense.  He is a zoot-suit dude with limited ability upstairs.

CHRIS MIHM will continue to be given short minutes due to his laid 
back persona, propensity to foul, and non-comprehension of team D.   
It is why the shrewd Silas never gave him more minutes even while  
displeased with Ilgauskis for not putting out more effort. It is why he 
eventually gave up on Mihm.  It surprises me that posters feel that 
Mihm is the keeper ahead of LaFrentz and the much-improved Blount 
(who has borrowed Potopenkobs mittens to wear in games but otherwise 
is not that bad except for the fact that he might walk after this 
season due to Ainge's heavy-handed methods). Many of you will be
happy to hear that Walter, for better or for worse, also does not wish 
to stay here any longer.  That leaves only poor Paul who must at this
point feel he has been hit over the head with a rubber/metal hammer.
Has Danny gone too far in his all-or-nothing pursuit of the 
Championship (odds 29-1 come three years from now)?   
You be the judges.

< Kestas, curious to see whether Egg will again conveniently 
"slip away" instead of arguing her case. >

I do tend to slither away because having stated what I truly feel, 
what possible good does it do to restate it in rebuttal?  BORING. 
Those few who consider my arguments important might think a
retort perseverance, but to the many more who do not, such rebuttals
would more likely be seen as mere obstinacy.  God knows what I 
choose to post NOT IN REBUTTAL is repetitive enough.  Just looked 
at the clock. I have spent almost 25 minutes on this post only 
because I am so fond of you, the way you analyze and challenge 
EVERYTHING along with your wonderful self-deprecating humor.  
I think you do know your Bball and are most modest for someone 
in the midst of obtaining a Ph.D. from Dartmouth. This list is lucky 
to have you. 

But don't expect 25 minutes again, ya hear me (over the din of all 
those breathing their collective sighs of relief)?

Cheerio,
Eggo