Re: 2001 draft?

[GuyClinch@xxxxxxx]

Not to beat a dead horse, Pete, but they also took Kedrick
ahead of Jefferson.  I liked Joe, and still would rate him ahead
of Jefferson as a talent, but there isn't one GM in the NBA that
wouldn't rather have Jefferson now, Jefferson tomorrow, and
Jefferson forever (to coin a phrase.)
Have you spoken to every GM?

I couldn't disagree more. Paul Pierce called the Joe Johnson trade one of the 
worst in Celtics history - he wasn't pining for RJ.

Joe is the more skilled player - capable of playing PG at times something 
that RJ couldn't even dream off - note his superior assist numbers. He is putting 
up VERY good overall numbers now that Stephon has left. Jefferson is also an 
older player and as such his Joe's numbers are all that more impressive. Yes 
even one year matters in judging the development of an NBA player. You don't 
know how much further Joe will develop with another year of maturation.. RJ for 
example only averaged 15.5 ppg at Joe's age. Joe is potentially ahead of him 
already.

I think that the 2001 draft will prove to be significantly better then could 
be reasonably be expected. Joe could well be the second best player taken in 
that draft - behind only Zach Randolph. Moreover I still think Kedrick will be 
a a fair to good NBA player - in the long run. He has impressive physical 
ability, a willingness to work and an effective outside shot. In time he could 
well develop the necessary skill set to take better advantage of his athletic 
ability. Namely a better feel for the slashing game - and a better mental 
approach (in the game). People don't want to hear this - but its not at all 
unprecedented. Their are numerous players in the NBA who had to develop their games in 
places like the CBA before rising to stardom - because they lacked the 
necessary NBA skill set.

But even if he never pans out (like Mosio) I do think picking the second best 
player in the draft out with the top ten pick is nothing to scoff at with the 
picks the Celtics had. 

What the sports second guessers are doing is akin to asking for a stock 
broker to be fired because he wasn't able to predict the top 3 performing stocks 
over the next three years

.Its unreasonable.. The best we can ask is that the stock brocker be able to 
significantly outperform the market. Since Papile and Wallace plucked the 
second best player in the draft (arguably) we can hardly complain, IMHO. Only in 
sports would such unreasonable expectations be given serious consideration. 

If you want to question something - question the Joe Johnson trade not the 
drafting of the guy. He has proven to be an excellent pick.

Pete