Re: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Digest V4 #371

[Peter Delevett <pdelevett@nopg.com>]

Jamey -- I'm probably taking your comments too personally, but to answer 
your question, no I dont think size always equates to talent. I hope you 
dont think I'm such an idiot that I wouldn't trade Gheorge Muresan for 
Michael Jordan. But the fact remains, the average size in the NBA is 
something like 6'9". If size didnt count for anything, guys like Brian 
Shorter (ex-Pitt and had a cup of coffee with the C's) would be in the 
league. Obviously Pitino likes size in the backcourt, too, as seen in his 
letting Wesley go and drafting 6'4" Billups. (Yeah, he also brought in 
Edney, but as a bargain backup). Also, would YOU trade Joe Smith straight 
up for Billups? Not meant as a slam against Chauncey, but we are talking 
about the former first pick in the draft. Bay Area fans (if there are any 
left) would riot, or at least spill their espressos, if the Warriors 
didnt get a big man in exchange for Smith -- or if they took a guard, it 
would have to be an established all-star caliber player. 
I like Stoudamire but don't know that he's the answer for the C's. From 
what I've read, he's not considered a good defensive player -- we could 
compare stats to see how well he's done against Iverson.     


>From: Jamey Rallis <rallis@vgi.com>
>Subject: re: height vs. talent (AGAIN)
>
>> league, for one thing. For another, if we're going to spend the huge FA 
>> dollars Stoudamire will demand, I'd much rather we went after somebody 
>> 6'10" or bigger.
>
><lots snipped>
>
>> Billups for Smith straight up, G'State would have to be crazy to trade 
>> big for little.
>
>
>These 2 comments mean 1 thing.
>
>BIG == TALENT
>
>So Manute Bol is the second most talented player (or 3rd) to ever play in
>the NBA.  And first place, no not MJ, not Bird, not Russell, yes, Muresan.
>Anyone who trades a 7'7" player for Michael Jordan is crazy, you don't
>trade big for little.
>
>Oh yeah, one more thing, show me one 6'10" guy that can guard Allen
>Iverson and stop him from scoring like Billups and Edney did (and probably
>Stoudamire could).



                                    
           Peter Delevett             
            Staff Writer         
     New Orleans CityBusiness       
         pdelevett@nopg.com