"Beasts in East"???

[Michael Gooen]

What is Peter May smoking?

<<At least a few beasts in East
 Conference has made noteworthy upgrade>>

Here is is "beast" list:

<<Rashard Lewis>>
<<Zach Randolph. He is a potential 20-10 guy>>

[um... that's 20 shots, 10 missed defensive assignments?  20 misdemeanors,
10 felonies?]

<<Jason Richardson>>
<<Desmond Mason>>
<<Smush Parker, one of Kobe Bryant's favorites>>

[yup, that's why Kobe wants to be traded.  No more Smush.]

<<Sticking around ->>

Wait, you mean that's it?  Leaving aside Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, the
East has improved because of Rashard Lewis, Zach Randolph, Jason
Richardson, Desmond Mason, and Smush Parker?  

If you threw those 5 on the court against ANY NBA team, would they win
anything?  Ever? 

Anyway, the "sticking around" list isn't much more impressive.

<<Chauncey Billups>>

[No disrespect intended to Mr. Billups, whom I wish were still in green.]

<<Gerald Wallace>>
<<Vince Carter>>
<<Mo Williams>>
<<Antonio McDyess>>
<<Jason Kapono,>>

And the point is....?

<<Does this mean there's any chance for the East any time soon? Well,
not really.>>

And thanks for playing.

Oh - you mean that's not the main point?

<<Right now, primarily because of depth issues, I can't put the Celtics
ahead of Detroit or Chicago.>>

Ah, depth issues.  If only the Cs had kept Al Jefferson, Wally Szczerbiak,
Delonte West, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, and the ghost
of Theo Ratliff they'd have plenty of depth.  

<<For the upcoming season, do you like the Celtics right now better than
Miami with a (possibly) healthy Shaquille O'Neal and a (probably) healthy
Dwyane Wade?>>

Yes.

<<Do you like them better than Cleveland?  Washington? Orlando?>>

Yes, yes, and HELL yes.

<<What the Garnett deal did is get the Celtics into the playoff picture
in the East and, perhaps, at least in the discussion for the conference
semifinals and finals.>>

Assuming no significant injury in the top 6 (including T. Allen), I'd say
into the semis and in the discussion for the conference finals and beyond.
 And that's for 07-08.

<<For that, Danny Ainge deserves all the credit. Now, let's
see what Danny does with the rest of the roster before we call Mayor
Menino for the parade permit.>>

Yes, let's see.  And in the meantime, let's hear some more about those
scary beasts the Cs didn't get.

Michael Gooen

P.S.  While I enjoy Egg's curmudgeonly contrary opinions, I have to cry
foul (um.. fowl?) at her
 



       
____________________________________________________________________________________
Got a little couch potato? 
Check out fun summer activities for kids.
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=summer+activities+for+kids&cs=bz