Franchise players

[Jamey Rallis <rallis@vgi.com>]

If you're defining a franchise player to be someone you want to touch the
ball on the final possesion of a tight game, then you're crazy to label
Antione as a franchise player already.  Maybe later, but let him prove it
first.

You want someone that has no consistent form whatsoever on his jumpshot to
shoot from outside?  Every great shooter I can think of had a very
consistent release on his shot.  It can look awkward or unusual, but the
release has to be the same every time, otherwise the result is
inconsistent.  And I've never seen Walker release the ball the same twice
in a game.  You want him to dribble at the crunch time?  Like the game
last year when he grabbed an Off rebound and was stripped leading to the
go-ahead layup?  That leaves passing, with someone playing way off him
cause he can't dribble or shoot good enough to warrant the pressure.  That
makes passing tougher.  Hopefully with some real coaching, he'll be a
better shooter and dribbler, but based on last season, he's not ready yet.

Which leads us to the other candidates for clutch player of the game.  I
don't believe in labeling rookies who haven't played against NBA players
in an NBA game the label of clutch players, so that leaves off Billups and
Mercer until they've played a couple games.  (If you disagree, then
signing players like Knight to 7-year, big money contracts prob doesn't
bother you either.)

And speaking of Knight, clutch player?  No thanx.

So based on last year, I would put the ball in Wesley's hands #1, and #2
Fox.  Ah, but they're gone.

Dee Brown?  Don't shoot it, please.  And driving prob won't get the foul
called as the refs choke on their whistles the last seconds of the game.
Maybe receive an alley-oop from a good passer, like Fox (Walker?).

Dana Barros?  Yes, if it's open, you're a shooter.  Launch it.  Or fake
and drive.

Williams?  Definitely, if he's hot and there's enough time for 10 head
fakes (over 15 seconds, at least).

And Antoine?  Crash the boards and tip it in.  Franchise player?  Why,
what's he done so far?  15 wins?  Not many franchise players there.  Take
the label off and let him earn it without the pressure/glory that he
hasn't earned yet.  Franchise player for an offensive rebounder?  Let him
learn how to shoot, how to dribble better, and most importantly, how to
feel the defensive mismatches in the clutch.  He's not there yet.

And hopefully Billups and Mercer will earn their medals, too.

Speaking of which, anyone wonder what might be the response from these
predicters of 40+ wins and the playoffs, if the Celts start off 0-5,
losing by an average of 15 points per game, with Billups, Mercer, and
Walker looking like lost pups out there?  Will they have the faith that
they'll develop over 20 or 30 games?  Or will they crucify these players
for not being the All-stars that they've already been anointed as?

One more puzzling question, when did the Celts suddenly become one of the
most talented teams in the NBA?  Draft night?  The Travis Knight signing?
I guess Billups and Mercer are already more talented than Mourning, Ewing,
Howard, Webber, Garnett, McDyess, Hardaway, Hardaway, Richmond, Hill,
Jordan, Pippen, etc.  I seem to recall most NBA teams have at least 3 very
solid players already, NBA proven players.  How does adding 2 players that
weren't even considered in the league of Duncan suddenly change a team's
talent base this much before they've even played a game?  Give them a
chance to play first before you set goals for them that they'll be
hard-pressed to match.

- -Jamey