AI discussion

[John Lyell]

I think Bucher mentioned the AI deal was still in discussion, and Telfair wasn't part of the deal. Probably more discussion after July 1. I think this is going to happen, unless Danny just won't give up what Philly wants although I have heard another team being needed and discussions of Gooden & Boozer. So Philly may not want Wally.
   
  John
   
  

"Piotrowski, Mark A" <mark.a.piotrowski at sfcc.edu> wrote:
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WEEI is saying they also give up Raef and get back Ratliffe.
Kim
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I would like that if for no other reason than Theo has one less year on his 
deal and is a more 
prototypical post defender than Raef... And Theo has always had a bit more 
attitude than Raef. I think 
KIM hit the nail on the head that he's more of poss. mentor w/ Clifford Ray 
for Perk and Jeff.

I don't know that the Iverson deal is still alive -- that would give us 3 PGs 
under 6'2" (AI, Telfair, West). 
Perhaps Ainge had the Telfair deal going WHILE he was negotiating w/ PHI and 
once he felt PHI wasn't 
budging, pulled the trigger on Telfair ---- kind of an either/or deal.

That or maybe w/ Iverson & Ratliff he'd sign George Lynch and hire Larry Brown 
for a repeat of the 2001 
76ers team...

Resetting the roster I could see us going with a lineup of:

West / Telfair / OGreene
Szczerbiak / Allen
Pierce / Green
Jefferson / Gomes / Scal
Perkins / Ratliff / Jones

Telfair/Allen/Green would rival Shaw/Lewis/Brown in terms of speed and 
dunkability, huh? I think this 
is the one we'll go with -- allowing Telfair to run 20-25 mpg w/ the 2nd unit.
Delonte will get 20-28 
w/ the first team as PG and probably play 5-8 mpg alongside Telfair.

I disagree with the acquisition of Telfair being a knock on West from Ainge. 
I'm not sure that West 
really thinks he's a 38 mpg PG in the NBA. He's a trooper and a masterful 
teamate so he accepts his 
role whatever it is, but I see him more as a Dumars type.

If anything, b/c West can (and some woudl argue should) play the 2... this 
might grease the wheels 
more for a trade -- probably down the line if anything -- involving Allen, 
Green and/or Szczerbiak.

All in all this must have meant that Ainge felt Telfair was better than any 
PG/PF that we would have 
gotten in the draft. I liked Sheldon Williams, maybe Foye and O'Bryant, but 
am happy that we have 
Telfair.

BTW -- if you haven't seen "Through the Fire" the ESPN documentary on the 
newest Celtic -- I 
recommend it. Telfair seems to be an engaging young kid and a natural 
leader...

(the other) mark


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