Re: Dino

[Kim Malo <kmalo19@idt.net>]

Just a bit of info to consider for those that might have missed it. Dino was
on last night's radio pre-game and commented on how great he feels because
this is the first time in his professional career he has had an extended
break from basketball. He went on to recognize that it's time to consider
giving up the national team and dedicate himself solely to the Cs.
Since many people think that simply wearing down from playing year round is
at least partially behind his breakdowns the last few years, this has to be
good news -whether you want to keep him or use him as trade bait. Another
thought is that playing only one style of hoops, rather than reverting back
to European play in the offseason, might cause more consistant improvement
in his NBA style play.
I still don't know my own opinion about keeping him, separate from any
offers we shouldn't refuse. He really has a great understanding of the game
when you listen to him, even if he doesn't always execute. This could be
useful, aside from what physical benefits he *does* offer, the younger and
more inexperienced this team gets. Especially since it has a coach with
limited X and O ability. He can score, he can rebound and he can pass. He
handles double teams better than anyone we have (not saying much) and will
command some for his offensive skills when he comes back. This takes
pressure off the other guys and whomever ends up at the point. His defense
has improved, but unfortunately only to mediocre and slightly better in
spurts. His body is 'old' for his chronological age because of all the
basketball he's logged. He whines, complains, sulks and lets mistakes
overwhelm his mind too much. The flip side is that he can be just as
emotional the other way when things are going well. But the biggest problem
is where he gets his minutes. Do you keep Walker/Williams and whomever they
get in the draft on the bench to play Dino? Not good for their development.
Plus they have usually played better without him -he tends to disrupt the
offensive flow, without good enough results to justify allowing this. Do you
keep Dino on the bench? He's tended to sulk and he's not always sharp coming
in off the bench. Like I said -dunno.
- -Kim
Kim Malo
kmalo19@idt.net