btw

[Eggcentric at aol.com]

     < Uh huh. Now I realize that fairness doesn't enter into your 
     agenda any more than the salary cap enters into the minds 
     of people who propose not in this universe deals like Big Al 
     for O'Neal, but you might try comparing Jermaine after *his* 
     second season as a drafted from high school player rather 
     than after his 10th. He has had more years in the league to 
     become the player he is than anyone on the Cs, even Raef 
     and Pierce, much less Al. > - Kim

Kim, I understand I'm comparing an acorn to an oak tree.    
But I was addressing Josh's statements that he would not be 
willing to trade the 21 yr. old Jefferson for the present 27 yr. old 
O'Neal... not for the 17 yr. old O'Neal who was drafted out of 
high school.   

I think it's irrelevant now how the 17 yr. old O’Neal performed 
in his early years. It's what he is NOW that counts. And it's hard 
for me to believe that Jefferson will ever be the player O'Neal is.
O'Neal right now is a given for several years to come; Jefferson 
is not.

     < Especially since Jermaine spent his first 4 years in the league 
     in Portland with as many or more questions about him as a 
     major potential based on skills *but* enigma/seeming bust 
     with a questionable drive, etc At least Al scores. That's why 
     they traded him despite all that rare potential in a center, which 
     in itself usually gets you more slack. With questions lingering 
     about whether he would reach his potential even after he came 
     to Indy. Nor has he been a complete non-headache there. >

I chose O'Neal (along with Pierce and Gomes) for my fantasy team, 
so I closely followed his play.   I just think he's a great player.   
He also comes off to me as a mature, surprisingly well-spoken 
guy who consistently gives 100%.   Although in the absence of 
Reggie Miller's leadership, he has riled some of his teammates 
by being outspoken concerning their lack of effort,   he remains 
Coach Carlisle's favorite player. If we could somehow add him 
to a lineup of Pierce, West, Szczerbiak and Perk, then I would 
quickly get excited over our team's future.   

     < Not saying I'm positive Al will become the player his potential 
     says he can, because I'm not. Any more than I'm accepting all 
     your criticisms at face value. But this seems enough of a cheap 
     shot to be a bit unworthy of you. > - Kim

Is it a cheap shot because you feel my criticisms of Jeff are
untrue, or because you feel I have ignored his young age and 
possible future development?   As this list's resident season ticket 
holder, you are unquestionably an astute fan who knows as much 
about the game of basketball and our particular team as any 
poster I have come across.   Seriously, it's a pleasure to read your 
posts. So I am sincerely interested in knowing which of my 
criticisms of Jefferson so ruffled your fur. 

When I originally ragged on Banks as having a Joe Forte personality, 
that was also considered a cheap shot. When I ragged on Ricky 
Davis (another Dr. Brain approved player) while others here saw 
him as a reformed Saint, that was considered a negative, cheap 
shot.   It wasn't till after his trade to Minny that the fact surfaced
that he had been a pain in the arse here all along.   McHale is 
also a disciple of Dr. Brain, yet Davis has already worn his 
welcome out there and is already on the trade block.   When I 
ragged on Payton's frequent days off allegedly to visit his poor 
sick mom and family in LA (even though he often never got as far 
as the West Coast),   I was accused of having no sympathy for 
loving dads, caring sons, and cancer victims.   

For sure, Jefferson was a rookie full of promise, the Hope 
Diamond in Danny's collection of draft gems.   But somewhere 
between his rookie year and second year, he changed.   Can he 
change back ... I hope so.   But would I prefer the just-coming-
into-his-prime 27 yr. old O’Neal over him?   You bet. That was
simply my response to Josh's posts after he claimed O’Neal 
was a "weak character" while he neglected to consider Jeff's
own disappointing character this season.

 < That being said, do you get a reward for every time you use 
the words foul machine, which seems to be all you say about 
Perk too? > - Kim

You have better recall of my past posts than I.   Henceforth, 
I shall instead describe Perk and Jeff as players whose constant 
foul trouble hampers their performances.   Is that a more accurate, 
less negative, less worn out description than “foul machine?” 

     < At least vary things by noting that with Al this past
     season that was largely because of his idiotic new hobby of
     continually trying to take charges that of course usually drew 
     a call the other way vs dropping it to imply that it was a matter 
     of his doing nothing but draw fouls with every breath... > 
     - Kim

I must admit I didn't analyze the reasons for Jeff's fouls.   To me, 
a foul is a foul.   If he has averaged 2.8 fouls in 16.3 mpg, there 
is a problem somewhere, whether it is due to his new hobby 
or not.   And I wonder where his coaches are on this, or where his   
willingness is to improve his game.

Egg

PS - Viva Barbaro!   The next triple-crown winner?