The next move/Doc

[Michael Gooen]

Mark B. wrote:

<<If they get Oden, they probably keep Pierce and try to make a run
immediately.>>

Agreed - and that's what they should do.

<<If that means they trade Al, they're idiots.>>

Could not agree more.  I cannot think of a realistic, sensible deal that
includes Jefferson - and I'm not the least bit concerned about Al and Oden
playing together (or, for that matter, Perkins being relegated to a backup
role).  I'd love to have that problem.

<<If they get Durant, the best move would be to trade Pierce.>>

I wouldn't be too fast to pull the trigger on that one - depends on what
they'd get for Paul.  

<<If they get neither, they probably shop the pick and anyone they can to
add a veteran next to Pierce. This is the worst-case scenario. You can't
build a title team around Pierce.>>

I don't know that anyone's tried.

Ravi wrote:

<<Gerald Wallace and Brevin Knight for Pierce?>>
<<Pierce and Ratliff for Bibby and Brad Miller?  
<<Pierce for Josh Howard and fodder>>
<<Pierce for Deng, Tyrus Thomas and the Knicks pick?>>

I'd think long and hard about the last one.  I wouldn't do any of the
first three.

Let's see who comes out and what the draft order will be.  I'm still in
the silver lining crowd.  I believe that Al Jefferson will be a 20+/10+
guy next year.  I believe that Paul Pierce has several excellent years
left and can play well with teammates he has reason to trust.  I believe
that Rajon Rondo will develop a reasonably reliable shot and will become a
force as an offensive creator and as a defensive disruptor.  

I believe that Kendrick Perkins, Tony Allen, Ryan Gomes, and Delonte West,
if healthy, can be valuable rotation guys on a good team.

To me, the biggest priorities are finding a strength and conditioning team
that can minimize the likelihood of an injury outbreak like this year's
(or, failing that, a luckier leprechaun) and finding a better in-game
coach.  I don't know that Doc has irrevocably screwed up any of the
players developmentally, but that isn't the point.  The point is that he
is a horrible in-game coach.  I wholeheartedly agree with whomever made
the Fitch-to-KC-in-reverse argument.  The team needs a culture change. 
That and either Oden or Durant.  

Michael Gooen




       
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