rookies

[JOzersky@aol.com]

I think that in all the concern over Billups' struggles, we have   lost sight
of Mercer.  It's understandable, since Billups is basically who we got
intstead of Tim Duncan, but what probably should have happened is that we
drafted Mercer at three, and billups at six.  That is more appopriate to
their talents, and would explain much this season.  Mercer is a wonderful
surprise.  I have never seen a player with his talent come into the game so
fundamentally sound and mentally mature.  He has 5+ physical ability as a
two.  Just look where he shoots his jumper from.  Who could ever block that?
 His rimrattling dunks are breathtaking as well, and yet this is a player as
humble and system oriented as Steve Kerr or John Paxson.  Talk about a rara
avis!  Mercer has not been called upon yet to take charge on offense, but he
will.  Once he starts hitting his shots, he will begin to fake the screen or
pick and reverse against the D, making him a 30 point threat.  The fact that
he is a fine FT shooter doesnt hurt either.  (what are his stats?)

I for one think that if Billups doesnt improve as a point by midseason, we
should consider finding a way to use his money (e.g. getting a class of 95
fa) to buy Damon Stoudamire.  Steve Nash certainly isn't value, but this team
 needs a fast point, and those aren't skills you pick up on the run.
 Chauncey is settling in; but he has to show us he ccan run the break.  My
ideal celtics point guard is still Jason Kidd, the throwback.