RE: Keeping Billups

[John Lyell <Jlyell@concentric.net>]

If we could move Billups in a package and get Eddie Jones we would  be =
stupid not to.  Jones is a proven talent, Billups still a big question =
mark.

- -----Original Message-----
From:	Georgek27 [SMTP:Georgek27@aol.com]
Sent:	Saturday, November 01, 1997 7:58 AM
To:	celtics@igtc.COM
Subject:	Re: Keeping Billups

We have the makings of something wonderful here!

Celts from A to W:

Barros: Was ok and may get a little more comfortable in the system. I =
can live
with him if he gaves us this every night, Would be nice if he had more =
games
like he did against the Knicks but this would be ok.

Billups: Probably won't have another game like this one for a month,but =
who
knows.
He proved to me why he was the #3 pick. Let's give him a chance to =
develop. It
isn't=20
like he's going to cost us the NBA title this season. I would have liked =
to
see him out there at crunch time.

Bowen: This is what Dee Brown was supposed to do! Sure Bruce is taller =
but for
a guy with one minute of NBA experience he sure looks like he =
understands the
game well. A real bargain!

Brown: The poster boy of the Pitino era was the only real disappointment =
out
there last night. He just can't do, even when he tries. Maybe he'd be a =
good
change of pace guard in a half court system but he isn't going to help =
here.
Eat half his salary and trade him for a case of gatorade (a bottle of
gatorade?).

DeClerq: Plays like an out of control madman! But I think that is what =
he's
here for. He will get to be a LITTLE more productive and that will be =
fine. As
long as he's not shooting he's fun to watch (although he did can that =
buzzer
beater!).

Edney: Need to dump Dee so Tyus can get on board. He'll help provide =
some PG
play and help with Billups development. It'd be a shame to keep Dee and =
waive
him.

Ellison: If Pervis can stay healthy (BIG IF) and give us an inside =
presence
for 10 minutes a game we can live with him. He isn't quite ready for =
that yet
but he will be. No one is going to take him off our hands unless he =
exceeds
our hopes. If he gets hurt and goes on the DL it doesn't hurt us anymore =
than
releasing him would.

Jones: Deserved a pardon on his suspension! ;)  Another great athlete =
who will
play out of control at times. Very raw but made to play in this system. =
Word
in NY was that he (based on summer league play) was the reason the =
Knicks felt
they could deal Wallace. A wait and see.

Knight: The look on Knight's face in the 2nd half spoke volumes - he was
having the time of his life! He will play between 20 & 35 minutes a game
depending on foul trouble and put up some nice numbers. A fine pickup =
and a
great fit in this system.

McCarty: (For some reason I was terrified of spelling his name wrong!) =
So much
hustle and athletic ability. Walker loves playing with him. Foul prone =
but
that may improve. Wow can he slice to the basket! Worth the deal for =
Mills
even up. Mills may be a more complete player but wouldn't fit so well in =
this
system.

Mercer: Had a good but unspectacular game but what do you expect when he =
had
primary responsibilty for Jordan. Mercer will develop fine. Credit =
Pitino for
conning everyone at the draft into allowing him to drop to #6. It's nice =
to
see a Celtic guard with both size and effort!

Minor: A Celtic guard with size, anyone see any effort? I know he didn't =
play
and is on the injured list but we got as much effort out of him last =
night as
we ever will. There must be someone out there willing to take a chance =
on a
young guard with his size and athletic ability. Dallas? Denver? LA =
Clips?
Maybe someone will get hurt on another team and create a need for him.

Rogers: I am really anxious to see what he can add! Another thoroughbred =
to
throw at teams. He's going to cost DeClerq and Thomas minutes unless =
something
else is done. Hope he's on the active roster by game 6!

Thomas: A project. He was a role player in college so probably will =
never be
more than that here. He doesn't appear to be a fit in this system but =
Rick
supposedly loves him so I won't question. Needs time to adapt. Will =
never
provide offense but may provide rebounds, box outs, and picks.

Walker: Our true star. Still needs to mature but has sooo much talent. =
Hubie
said it best last night - he's careless with the ball - but this is only =
his
senior year! It's amazing how fast defense can be taught by a competent =
coach.
Antoine played more D last night than last season! Boy does he enjoy =
being THE
MAN! Sure looks like he enjoys playing for Rick to me.

THE COACH: Nice to be able to say that and mean it! If he can use his =
entire
12 man bench he will be able to wear other teams into the ground! He =
really
outfoxed the Bulls (and the announcers) with his plan to hold off =
trapping
till the second half.
We got a great one here guys!

THE GM: Our two headed GM (Pitino/Wallace) has done a great job =
improving the
talent level on this team and getting players who fit the system. "What =
would
you say if M.L. made these moves?"  PLEASE!  It makes a big difference =
when
management knows what they want and acts decisively.=20

And we still have Ben Pepper waiting in the wings!  ;)

George