The Celtics got a very good and under-rated player in Raef Lafrentz and a up-and-comer in Jiri Welsch. Raef struggled in Dallas because he was asked to do something that Dallas needed: a banger and enforcer down low. Raef was constantly asked to guard Shaq, Duncan, etc. one on one, and, consequently, Raef was always in foul trouble. Also, since the perimeter defense of the Mavs was so poor, Raef also had to always come over and help on people slashing to the hoop, which also further his constant foul trouble. Raef is not that kind of player. He is a face to the basket 4. Not a post-up 5. In the smaller, less physical East, Raef should become an All-star. He has great skills, is a hard worker, and can be a mismatch with his mobility and ball-handling at 7'. So I don't think Vin and PP have to try to win it by themselves. I think Raef will help them be a very good team in the East (tho, the wouldn't be a playoff team in the West). Also, the Celtics picked up a sleeper in Jiri Welsch. This kid is going to be extremely good. 6'7" sharpshooter who can play 1,2 or 3. Don Nelson was quoted as saying that he didn't want to lose him because he thought he could be special, but the Nellie really wanted 'Toine for a point-forward. So the Celtics are going to be good in the East. It isn't just the Vin and PP show.
{btw - that's my first post.} /me high-fives kinack.
Welcome kinack. I agree with your post. However, I would like to see the Celts develop Welsch as a 3 much like Stojakovic. It is obvious that he has ball handling ability, but his shooting stroke would be a bigger boon to a Celtics squad that has one "real" scoring option in Paul Pierce.
Vin-tracker: Okay, now its 2 games (both wins). Avgs: 19.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 72.7 % FG. Tonight is New Orleans.Updates tomorrow.
Welcome, kinack, but (after checking your profile) be warned that we do lots of soccerassociation football and baseball here. Do you know Ufez? He's also in Dallas.
