RE: Trade Billups Soon

[John Lyell <Jlyell@concentric.net>]

I think the only way he will be traded is if someone really offers us a =
good deal.  Pitino is not stupid.  Although it will definitely take =
Billups a couple of years, we aren't going anywhere this year or next so =
this could be on time.  I still think we need one big time outside =
scorer.  Mercer will be there in a year or two, hopefully Bowen will =
turn out to be a steal.

The Knick trade does not look like it will improve out team.  Although =
McCarty is very athletic he seems to be another Eric Williams, although =
not as good.  Not physical enough to play the 4, and not a good enough =
outside shooter to play the 3.  Jones & Thomas are mediocre bench =
players probably gone when their contracts are up if not before.


Whats the story on Roy Rogers ? Are his knees as bad as the rumors ? =20



Latest rumors are Atlanta has offered Steve Smith & Ed Gray for Mitch =
Richmond.  Philly is still shopping Stackhouse.


- -----Original Message-----
From:	Dan [SMTP:dforant1@nycap.rr.com]
Sent:	Thursday, November 13, 1997 5:18 PM
To:	celtics@igtc.COM
Subject:	Trade Billups Soon

Yeah, trade him ASAP. Get a player or two that can really help us now =
and
for the long run. Billups seems to be a project. Unload him while he has
value. He does not have the smarts to be in this league this early in =
his
career. Probably should have stayed in college. Has no confidence. Maybe
his draft was a mistake. You never know how a college player is going to =
do
till NBA game time. We knew what we were getting with Walker. This =
Celtic
team has some players that could sparkle with a decent point guard =
making
decisions. Knight has already proven his worth. He has improved since =
day
one. Billups is heading  in the other direction. He is a reaction player
that he was in college, not a schemer with an offensive plan coming down
the court. We don't need another Dee Brown.
The only other way to handle him is to limit his playing time, that may
ruin his confidence, after all the hype. This certainly will be an
unpopular post but there are things missing in his game (now) that =
aren't
surfacing. I mean real basics, like passing and dribbling. Hope we move =
on
without him, let someone else wean him off diapers for 2-3 years.=20