ode to Joe

[gene kirkpatrick]

I just noticed that Joe Johnson was in the top 3 in scoring at 28 per game.  Wow.  I remember the great disappointment when he was traded for a two month playoff run.  What a terrible moment in modern Celts' history.  At least, Ainge has known whom to keep and whom to let go as he has adjusted the roster.  Letting Reed go and keeping Gomes seemed to be obvious, but that adjustment could have been mangled by a lesser eye for talent.  Letting Blount and Davis and Banks go with Reed was, to me, a great clearing of difficult or misfitting players.
   
  I do wonder if we've reached a turning point with Pierce.  He may not be willing to go to the rim as much if he's going to bum up his elbows in the process.  And I would rather rest Perk now than risk further complications.  It's sorta like last year with Wally's knee.  If Perk
  can't play up to level, then let him get the rest and treatment needed to be ready.  We're going to lose anyway with him at half-speed.  Al may not be in shape for 35 minutes, but I would like to see what he could do with 20 or so shots in a few games.  Let the beast loose.
   
  Lastly, while I do see positives from Scal, he is not the difference maker that Powe could be.  Look at what my man Millsap (Jazz) is doing with 16 minutes a game; Powe has more offense than Millsap and as much hustle and rebounding zeal if not the physical bulk.  Yet, we are trying to win now and so Powe and Green will get only spot minutes, if that.
   
  In the great argument over Ainge and the talent level he has brought us, I think that we don't really know what these 21 year olds can do because of their coach and their youth.  At least, Telfair is looking better with more pt.  This whole year will be another waste if we don't play them enough to find out.  I'm available for 150K.  Gene

 
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