Re: Knight

["Ronald H. Evans" <ronald_evans@pipeline.com>]

At 12:11 PM 7/18/97 -0400, you wrote:
>That is one of the reasons the Pitino got him.  For Ron Mercer. We all know
>how Mercer loves to shoot on screens.  Knight is a bigman, and the Celtics
>may try to do something with a '96 Kentucky-'89 Pistons mesh.  That is a
>major bonus for Ron.   The other thing is that if Knight can stay out of
>the paint, near the 3-point line, that will pull the opposing center out. 
>If he doesn't go out and guard Knight, then an illegal defense will be
>called.  With no big man in the center, the Celtics can isolate, leaving
>Chauncey Billups one-on-one with another point guard, ALA Allen Iverson. 
>With Knight staying out, that pretty much means that the 2 forwards,
>Antoine and Eric/Vin will have to stay down low.  That WOULD make an
>aquisition of Vin more valuable... I think Pitino has something up his
>sleeve...

I agree with your statements and would like to add some thoughts. I think
Billups will start(if he's not injured) but will act as an offense option on
the perimeter rather than the full time ball handler. He'll bring the ball
up the floor but the ball will spend the majority of the time in Antoine's
hands. I remember Pitino saying something along those lines(like "Antoine's
our focal point now and that isn't bad because he passes the ball"). This
leads me to believe Antoine will assume more of a Hillesque role on
offense(driving and kicking). 
        With this in mind our offense should become a cross between the
Cav's and the Pistons. The Cavalier portion of our offense will consist of
vaired pick and rolls with Knight/Declercq as the screen and (Barros/Mercer)
as the shooter. The Piston's portion will be primarily Antoine/Eric driving
and either attempting a layup or passing to one of our shooters on the
perimeter(any combination of Knight,Barros,Mercer and Billups) all of whom
can make a spot up jumper from a decent range(15-24ft). 
        These offenses would be to the celtics benefit for two primary
reasons: rebounding and spacing(which Mr Jordan mentioned earlier). Any
offense predicated on outside shots will always have longer rebounds which
are snared by smaller quicker players(like the celtics) than behemoths. This
allows the celtics have more opportuinities for additional shot
oppotunities(why Pitino brought in offense rebounders to help walker).

BTW Barros may benefit most from a pick and roll offense. He's pretty deadly
coming off a screen.

Responses welcomed 

Noah