mark b's Pierce/TOR idea (was Walker vs. Pierce's future)

[Berry, Mark S]

You can say that again ... and again ... and again ... 

A few things ... 

Wade is much better than Pierce, but still wouldn't be winning anything
without Shaq. The big guy, even in his current state, remains the
biggest reason Miami is where it is. But comparing Wade and Pierce is
like comparing LeBron and Pierce. Pierce is good, but he's not in the
same league as LeBron or Wade.

See, I'd never trade Pierce for Rashard Lewis and Luke Ridnour. I think
that's a terrible trade. It all depends on your perception of these
players. I happen to love Villanueva and think he's one of the
prototypes for the next-generation NBA frontcourt player. He's a guy who
can score in the post, run the floor, block shots and hit the three. He
can defend three positions. I just think he's a huge, huge talent. You
compare him to Rasheed Wallace, and I'd argue Rasheed is a big-time
frontcourt player. I'd trade Pierce for a young Rasheed (without the
baggage).

What if you're Danny and you're convinced Morrison is going to be
somewhere between Pierce and Wally? A guy who will give you 20 a night,
play hard and fit into what you want to do? And you can get him and
Villanueva for Pierce and 7? That seems reasonable to me.

As for Pierce trades in general ... I wasn't even thinking about them
until Vecsey said he was being shopped. Now I'm trying to piece together
what might make some sense.

Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On
Behalf Of Piotrowski, Mark A
Sent: Friday, June 16, 2006 10:30 AM
To: celtics at igtc.com
Subject: mark b's Pierce/TOR idea (was Walker vs. Pierce's future)

----------------------------------------
And that may be the most compelling reason to trade Pierce. There's a
steep drop from the true difference-makers, partly due to talent and
partly due to the position they play. Is building around a swingman --
even one as good as Pierce -- doomed to fail?
----------------------------------------
Well Miami is built as much around Mr. Wade as the Big Aristotle at this

point, and they're 2 wins away 
from the title -- not that i'm saying they'll win it.  It takes the
right 
collection of players, coached the 
right way, etc.  I get nervous with declarations about you have to build
a 
team this way or that.

you need a PG, a scorer, a big man, and a bench.  And a coach.  We've
got a 
few of those pieces.

----------------------------------------
On a semi-related subject, Andy Katz quotes Adam Morrison's agent saying
about five teams, including the Celtics, would love to get their hands
on Morrison. So I ask you ... would anyone consider trading Pierce and 7
for Villanueva and 1? Charlie V. gives you that long, athletic, skilled
PF we've been lacking, and Morrison would replace some of what Pierce
gave you. I think it would necessitate a Wally trade at some point, but
that's probably coming anyway.  Toronto would get a legitimate 3 to team
with Bosh, and could pick up Marcus Williams to be their point guard.

I'd probably try to get something else out of it, but that's a deal I
would consider. I like Villanueva that much. I think he has a chance to
be better than Bosh.

Mark
----------------------------------------
No freakin' way!  You're one of the most astute posters on this list
Mark, but 
you go into Vescey/Ray/
Egg mode when it comes to Pierce trades.  A few years back it was for
the 
(fools gold) of a (peaking) 
Peja Stojakovic.... now you want to trade Pierce and #7 (say Marcus
Williams 
as worst case scenario) for 
Charlie Villanueva and Adam Morrison?

I haven't seen much of Villanueva, but it seems to me his ceiling might
be 
Rasheed Wallace.  Will 
Morrison ever be half the player Pierce will be?  Yikes.

If we're gonna move Pierce & #7, lets go after Jermaine O'Neal (who
would IMO 
be available for Pierce + 
#7) or maybe Rahsard Lewis + Luke Ridnour...

While I'd like to see Pierce retire a Celtic -- i'm open to the fact
that 
moving him might be better for the 
franchise in the long run.... so this isnt some misplaced stubborness.
But 
Villanueva and Morrison 
don't do much for me.  Hell i'd rather keep pierce and move him, 3 #1s
and Al 
Jefferson for Greg Oden 
next year.

(the other) mark


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