Is it worth the (Kevin) Gamble?

[Ryan, Patrick S Maj RES USAFR 439 MSG]

I'll answer in order.
 
I'd say more 70-30 that Ratliff starts over Perkins - leading me to my next
answer:
 
We lose the very development time we bemoan not getting to see if Jones
potential IS worth keeping him around.  Face it, if you're down to your
third center you're usually in a world of hurt anyway - so would you rather
plug in a washed up never was like Kandi or a maybe could be like Jones? For
a 60 win team like the Heat - it's Kandi - you try to hold serve.  If it's a
30 something win team like the Cs to me it's Jones to see what you may or
may not have. 
 
In looping right back to question #1, Doc has continually skewed toward
veterans when he has the choice (unlike late last year when he had no
choice); even though we have a young team. He often pulls them after one
mistake if they do start meaning they are never able to grow, learn from
those mistakes and work past them in a game environment. 
 
Like it or not the following are our Core: Pierce, Wally, West, Perk,
Ratliff, Bassy, Allen, Green, AJ, and Gomes. Scal, Kandi, Jones, Pitts,
Rondo, Powe, Ray (I'm missing someone...aaaaaggh) are the rest to choose
from - not exactly the Showtime Lakers. Why take potential time from Powe
and Jones for the likes of Scal and Kandi? There's no reason. We win or lose
with the core, not the bench. If a major injury takes out any of those core,
Kandi or Scal are not the type of depth that win you games - THAT'S the key
difference! We don't have the core depth to make up the loss that a Miami or
a San Antonio has.  When the Heat loses Shaq they have Mourning. If they
lose Twan they have Haslem. Etc, Etc.  
 
Lastly, Kim has summed this Kandi v. Jones issue all up WAY better then I
can - so "what she said."
----------------------------------------------------------
 
What are the odds that Doc starts Ratliff over Perkins?  If he were a good
coach, i would say 0%, but with doc it is 50-50.
 
rmn
 
 
What's to lose? It's a poor risk perhaps, but not a bad gamble,  
considering the stakes.
        JB