Re: Globe's trade rumors

[6166kkver@umbsky.cc.umb.edu]

Gene Kirkpatrick wrote:
> 
> Interesting article on the possibility of trading Billups (plus one extra) to
> Phoenix for Steve Nash.  I don't like the idea because I think Billups is a
> classy guy with loads of talent and versatile enough to be our leader.
> Yet, the great coaches have an instinctive evaluative ability that most of
> us don't and Pitino may have seen all that he needs to see about Billups.
> 

I don't understand this Nash talk. Has he been very impressive lately,
anyone? My impression of Nash is that he's a quintessential backup point
(whose dream is to play pro soccer, btw). Even though Billups hasn't
been all that impressive, I think he can be quite a bit more, if not a
lot more, than a backup. But, as Gene rightly points out, Pitino has
seen a lot more of Chauncey than we fans have. A couple of things to
consider with regard to Pitino's judgment of talent: he was wrong about
Massenburg, and fit-wise wrong about Mills (though not so wrong as to
not be able to trade them). Also, I understand that he wasn't able to
work out Billups before drafting him, and thus could not evaluate what
he was getting in person. Perhaps he has discovered some things about
Billups after the draft that would have given him second thoughts about
taking Chauncey at #3, things he understandably wants to keep quiet
about. This is nothing but conjecture, of course, but one has to ask why
these trade talks persist despite improving play from Billups. 
Of course, a trade involving Billups AND some of our expensive dead
weight would be worth doing, if we get decent, reasonably priced players
with short contracts, or maybe a disgruntled all-star clamoring for a
change of scene. I have trust in Pitino/Wallace's ability, although far
from absolute trust. Not even Pitino is perfect. What I most like about
him, though, is his incredible competitiveness. There's no ho-hum,
there'll-be-another-game, you-can't-win'em-all mentality after these
early losses. Yesteday in the post-game session he looked like he was
gonna cry, or had just cried. He really takes it seriously, even at this
point. There's hope with a man like that.  

KK