RE: random things make you say Hmmmm

["R. Singh" <keltsfan@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mark,

I'm of the opinion that at his age, and at this point in his career,
Pierce will not be able to make the adjustment necessary to facilitate
Ainge's vision of smart, running-based basketball.  Not as a Celtic
anyway.  

I think the Celtics need to see what is available for Pierce this summer
and make a blockbuster deal that brings in a player(s) that better fits
what Ainge wants.  I think guys like Welsch and Davis fit the plan given
their solid basketball IQ's and their all-around offensive abilities and
it appears there is some high school, college and Euro-talent that could
fit in the longer term. 

I still like the thought of the Celtics proposing a Pierce for Ray Allen
and the Sonics lotto pick. I think the Sonics would seriously consider
it given they are concerned that Allen, who is a free agent after next
season, will demand more than they can pay.  The Sonics get a young star
locked into a long term deal.  The Celtics get Allen, a better fit for
Ainge's master plan, and a another first round pick to use to swing for
the fences. The concern with Allen is that he is injury prone and
several years older than Pierce but the additional lottery pick
mitigates against these issues. 

Also, I wouldn't be opposed to a deal involving Eddie Curry, the Bulls
lotto pick and cap fodder.  Curry is a huge talent and with the proper
coaching (i.e. Phil Jackson or someone of that stature) might just
become a monster inside. It's a gamble for sure, but with Curry, a
potential #1 pick in the draft to add to the three other first round
picks, Ainge may be able to very quickly remake this team with the
players that are required to play a Kings style game. 

Ravi



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-celtics@xxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-celtics@xxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Berry, Mark S
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2004 11:16 AM
To: Celtics@xxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: random things make you say Hmmmm


This is a great point. I've been down on Pierce this season, but I would
like to see what happens with the new coach. If it's the same old thing,
then I think Pierce is the guy you'll have to trade. It would be nice to
know that now, but instead we have John Carroll - who is like a
fourth-generation photocopy of Obie.



The announcers on the Rockets-Suns game said a couple of really
interesting things last night. First, late in the game, the Rockets took
a couple of bad three-pointers. I think Francis took one, and I know
Mobley took one. The two color guys - Steve Kerr and Mike Fratello -
talked about those being bad shots, especially with Yao dominating
inside, but said the players had developed bad habits after so many
years under the Tomjanovich system. Rudy T had embraced that kind of
play late in his career, allowing Francis and Mobley to bomb away. Kerr
and Fratello said the players took those shots in the past, and still
don't recognize them as bad shots now. This is my fear with Pierce. Have
Obie and Carroll created too many bad habits? Is he going to be able to
resist the coast-to-coast drives, the quick three-pointers, the
step-back 20-footers? Tommy questioned it the other night, actually
saying "I don't know if he's ever going to get it ... " when Pierce
drove wildly into traffic. Anyway, I hope a new coach changes Pierce,
but I fear that the damage is done.



Secondly, they said the key relationship in a team is the relationship
between the head coach and the best player. If that best player buys
into what you're doing, everyone will follow. If the best player doesn't
buy in, you're doomed. Again, this comes back to Pierce. Is he willing
to change his game? Will he accept having the ball out of his hands,
sharing the load offensively and becoming a finisher instead of a
creator? If so, great. But if not, he'll have to go. That's for Danny
and the new coach to figure out.



Mark





--- --- ---



Ravi wrote:



I think the more important point with respect to impact is whether or
not Pierce has a positive or negative one with respect to Ainge's
vision/plan.

Once that is determined then the Celtics will have a better idea of whom
they might/should trade.