An ex-NBA player who made $66 million is now a Columbia student with a 3.8 GPA

[stb]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ex-nba-player-made-66-145053600.html

[Roy H.]

He was a terrible Celtic, but he had a great career, and he's obviously a pretty smart guy.

I still can't believe that we passed on him for Kedrick Brown.  We should have had a draft class of Joe Johnson, Troy Murphy, and Tony Parker.

[stb]

I still can't believe we passed on Brian Scalabrine for Joe Forte!

[LHR]

He was a terrible Celtic, but he had a great career, and he's obviously a pretty smart guy.

I still can't believe that we passed on him for Kedrick Brown.  We should have had a draft class of Joe Johnson, Troy Murphy, and Tony Parker.

I dove into this draft hard in my book.  Chapter 15 I think.  They had Murphy and Randolph in the day before the draft too.  Could've picked either one at 9.  That's where the decision really was at.

Kedrick was promised weeks before the draft.  Got Kedrick to shut it down and guaranteed him with one of the two back-to-back picks.

Joe was selected essentially over Randolph and Murphy - Celtics picked him based on the BPA theory and that they'd create depth at a position and such flexibility would lead to a future trade (which we all know it did.)

The Parker pick is the one that really stings.  Particularly with Chris Wallace who mentions it to me ALL...THE...TIME when we speak.  Leo Papile, same thing, throws his hands up in the air and just shouts how Wallace had that nailed.

A lot of stories have come out that Forte was "Red's pick" and while Dean Smith gave Red a great recommendation on Forte - he was essentially O'Brien's pick.  The thinking amongst the organization at the time was everyone would get "their pick."  Papile loved JJ - Celts went with him.  Wallace was a Kedrick guy and had a great relationship with Kedrick's agent Arn Tellem - so the Celts guaranteed him.  Then O'brien wanted a three point shooter for his offense so the Celts went with Forte.

Yeah tough to deal with.  And this is without even discussing the Celts could've rolled over that Denver pick to the next year or two and gotten a MUCH higher pick.

Talk about crying over spilled milk and the ultimate what if's!

Papile told me for the book that if they nailed that draft the way they should - Paul Gaston might still be owning the team.

[Roy H.]

Papile told me for the book that if they nailed that draft the way they should - Paul Gaston might still be owning the team.

I guess it was worth sacrificing Tony Parker, then!  I think I'd rather see a reunion of Mark Blount and Rick Pitino in Celtics Green than have Gaston back as owner.

[LHR]

Papile told me for the book that if they nailed that draft the way they should - Paul Gaston might still be owning the team.

I guess it was worth sacrificing Tony Parker, then!  I think I'd rather see a reunion of Mark Blount and Rick Pitino in Celtics Green than have Gaston back as owner.

Especially when you consider who's owning the team now.  Don't get any classier than Wyc and his group.  Proud to have them representing the organization.  Oh and they also care even more than I do as a fan.

Do not care for Gaston.  Everyone I reached out to was more than compliant in speaking with me.  Two of the 20 some people on my list refused to speak with me - Gaston and his henchman at the time - team COO Rich Pond.

[D.o.s.]

That's not fair. After all, no one's slick as Gaston. No one's quick as Gaston. No one's neck is as incredibly thick as Gaston.

[mef730]

That's not fair. After all, no one's slick as Gaston. No one's quick as Gaston. No one's neck is as incredibly thick as Gaston.

Interesting bit on Gaston.  See #3:

http://www.cracked.com/article_20622_5-mind-blowing-movie-easter-eggs-that-give-away-ending.html

Mike

[Beat LA]

He was a terrible Celtic, but he had a great career, and he's obviously a pretty smart guy.

I still can't believe that we passed on him for Kedrick Brown.  We should have had a draft class of Joe Johnson, Troy Murphy, and Tony Parker.

Okay, Joe Johnson I definitely understand and agree with, but not the other two, especially when Zach Randolph, Gerald Wallace, and Gilbert Arenas were all available.  You really would have wanted to see Murphy play in Boston, because I wouldn't have.

As for Parker, I'll never understand why everyone loves him so much.  He's incredibly overrated, imo, because he's not even really a point guard.  It's not like he has ever been known for his passing or defense.  He's scored the majority of his points due to his speed.  Only in the later stages of his career did he learn to shoot and became a good scorer, but again, the latter was mostly due to the inability to keep him out of the paint, because he didn't show any of the moves he now has when he first entered the league.  I don't know, I guess I'm in the minority here, but I'll take Rondo over Parker everyday of the week and twice on Sunday, especially in the playoffs.  If Parker isn't scoring, he's not a factor on the court, and that's not the guy who I'd want to have running the show.  Go ahead, tell me I'm nuts, lol.  

Also, never draft according to what a coach needs.  I'm sure that they could have found another 3-point shooter in free agency or whatever, but I wouldn't pass up the chance to get a guy like Randolph just because the coach wants something.  Never build around a coach.  Ever.

[Roy H.]

He was a terrible Celtic, but he had a great career, and he's obviously a pretty smart guy.

I still can't believe that we passed on him for Kedrick Brown.  We should have had a draft class of Joe Johnson, Troy Murphy, and Tony Parker.

Okay, Joe Johnson I definitely understand and agree with, but not the other two, especially when Zach Randolph, Gerald Wallace, and Gilbert Arenas were all available.  You really would have wanted to see Murphy play in Boston, because I wouldn't have.

As for Parker, I'll never understand why everyone loves him so much.  He's incredibly overrated, imo, because he's not even really a point guard.  It's not like he has ever been known for his passing or defense.  He's scored the majority of his points due to his speed.  Only in the later stages of his career did he learn to shoot and became a good scorer, but again, the latter was mostly due to the inability to keep him out of the paint, because he didn't show any of the moves he now has when he first entered the league.  I don't know, I guess I'm in the minority here, but I'll take Rondo over Parker everyday of the week and twice on Sunday, especially in the playoffs.  If Parker isn't scoring, he's not a factor on the court, and that's not the guy who I'd want to have running the show.  Go ahead, tell me I'm nuts, lol.  

Also, never draft according to what a coach needs.  I'm sure that they could have found another 3-point shooter in free agency or whatever, but I wouldn't pass up the chance to get a guy like Randolph just because the coach wants something.  Never build around a coach.  Ever.

I picked Murphy and Parker because they were two guys rumored to be coming here.

[Beat LA]

He was a terrible Celtic, but he had a great career, and he's obviously a pretty smart guy.

I still can't believe that we passed on him for Kedrick Brown.  We should have had a draft class of Joe Johnson, Troy Murphy, and Tony Parker.

Okay, Joe Johnson I definitely understand and agree with, but not the other two, especially when Zach Randolph, Gerald Wallace, and Gilbert Arenas were all available.  You really would have wanted to see Murphy play in Boston, because I wouldn't have.

As for Parker, I'll never understand why everyone loves him so much.  He's incredibly overrated, imo, because he's not even really a point guard.  It's not like he has ever been known for his passing or defense.  He's scored the majority of his points due to his speed.  Only in the later stages of his career did he learn to shoot and became a good scorer, but again, the latter was mostly due to the inability to keep him out of the paint, because he didn't show any of the moves he now has when he first entered the league.  I don't know, I guess I'm in the minority here, but I'll take Rondo over Parker everyday of the week and twice on Sunday, especially in the playoffs.  If Parker isn't scoring, he's not a factor on the court, and that's not the guy who I'd want to have running the show.  Go ahead, tell me I'm nuts, lol.  

Also, never draft according to what a coach needs.  I'm sure that they could have found another 3-point shooter in free agency or whatever, but I wouldn't pass up the chance to get a guy like Randolph just because the coach wants something.  Never build around a coach.  Ever.

I picked Murphy and Parker because they were two guys rumored to be coming here.

Ah.  Well, you're certainly more qualified to make such an assertion than I am, because I wasn't even a fan at that point, lol.  I was more wondering why we would pass up a post player, because  I don't even think we had one at that time, did we?  It's not like Antoine was posting up, and even if he did, it wasn't like he was good at it. 

[Big333223]

Good for Murphy. He seems like he's living his best life. Make a fortune playing basketball and then while you've still got some youth left, go back to school for what interests you while living comfortably and spend the rest of your yeasr doing what you want, knowing you and your children will be totally secure.

But yeah, he was a terrible Celtic.

[clover]

Papile told me for the book that if they nailed that draft the way they should - Paul Gaston might still be owning the team.

I guess it was worth sacrificing Tony Parker, then!  I think I'd rather see a reunion of Mark Blount and Rick Pitino in Celtics Green than have Gaston back as owner.

Especially when you consider who's owning the team now.  Don't get any classier than Wyc and his group.  Proud to have them representing the organization.  Oh and they also care even more than I do as a fan.

Do not care for Gaston.  Everyone I reached out to was more than compliant in speaking with me.  Two of the 20 some people on my list refused to speak with me - Gaston and his henchman at the time - team COO Rich Pond.

Agreed--Wyc and his crew have really done things right, with quality people like Danny, Doc and Brad projecting the right approach through the organization as well.