Shut-Ins

["Jeremy S. Warren" <jwarren@eecs.tufts.edu>]

	I was watching Sports Final Sunday night.  At the end of the show
Bob Lobel plugged his new 25 minute show with Rick Pitino that will air on
Sundays at 10:35AM.  Just before the microphones cut out I heard Dan
Shaugnessy say, "Celtics for shut-ins."  I don't know if he meant for it
to be heard on the air or not.  But it seems to me that Shaugnessy thinks
that hard core sports fans are losers.  Then again maybe I'm over
reacting.  What does everyone else think?

	As far as the old numbers contest goes, I would like to add former
#55 Eric Williams.  How quickly we forget!!!!

	I watched the second game on Saturday night until they cut away to
the Bruins (then I listened on the radio).  For me, the biggest
disappointment so far has to be Chris Mills.  It didn't bother me so much
that he looked confused and tentative on offense because it's a completely
different system than he is used to.  But he was flat out WEAK on defense.
He was getting pushed around and didn't seem like he could be an impact
defender.

	I was pleased with Pervis' aggressiveness on both ends of the
floor,  even though it didn't really show up in the stats.  I was hoping
Dee would impress me, but he looked like the same old non-impact player
he has been for the last few years.  Tyus was very quick up and down the
court.  He can't really finish himself, but he'll create easy baskets for
others.  I'm not too concerned about Billups and Mercer.  They looked raw
but they'll develop.

	Antoine looked great.  He was draining threes (from the new line)
nonchalantly.  With Pippen out for two months, I think he could make the
all-star team.  But right now I would guess that forwards Grant Hill,
Glenn Rice, Shawn Kemp, and Chris Webber would be ahead of him.

	I hope they keep Lorenzo Coleman on the roster.  They have no one
else near his size and he showed signs in his five minutes of PT that he
can rebound hold his own in the paint.

	I'm in favor of trading Dee and Dana for Coleman.  DC would be our
starting center, solidifying our front line and narrowing the roster down
to 13.  This would allow us to keep Bowen, Edney, and Lorenzo (the only
guys without guaranteed deals for next year).  They could rotate someone
on and off the injured list to accomodate 13 players.  The problem with
this scenario (which someone else pointed out) is why would Philly take
Dee and Dana.  Now that I think about it why would anyone take both of
them.  Maybe they would take Dana and Mills for DC.  I would do that in a
heartbeat.  Right now, Mills is our biggest salary burden.  Then you move
Antoine to SF (he's hitting his threes and he can post up against smaller
defenders), Knight to PF, and start DC at center with Pervis and Lorenzo
backing him up.

	With Pippen out for two months and Rodman's status unclear do to
pneumonia, I think we have an outside chance at an upset opening night.  I
hope Pitino's game plan includes using Mercer, Minor, Bowen, and Mills to
hammer Jordan every time he goes to the hoop.  I can't wait!!! Does anyone
know if sports channel come with basic cable?

Jeremy