Re: Antoine's $$$

[skmishra@dlsun660.us.oracle.com (Shailendra K. Mishra)]

> From cecil@hfx.andara.com Tue Feb 24 14:05:27 1998

> 
> I was being one dimensional because the comment revolved around Bryant being
> called a ball hog.  Can you honestly say that anyone owns a piece of the
> rock more than Toine?  It was very annoying to watch him pushing the ball in
> a 3 on 2 situation with Anderson on the left wing and Mercer on the right,
> ending with him making a feeble attempt at a layup instead of giving it up
> to an open teammate.  Sabonis rebounded, outlet pass, layup.

This was his second game with Anderson at point. In games with Billups at point 
Walker played the point forward most of the time.

> The statement has nothing to do with who has the more capable teammates, but
> who hogs the ball.

Yes it has, will Antoine still keep the ball if he has shaq as teammate?
 
> I think we should expect better rebounding stats out of Toine and assists,
> since I consider him one of the best passing forwards in the game.  But his
> field goal percentage is abysmal and his free throw percentage makes him a
> candidate to be fouled in the latter stages of any close game.  

If we get anybody of consequence who is a legitimate inside threat, I have no 
doubt in my mind that Walker's shot selection and Fg% will improve. With no help 
even Grant Hill is shooting 44% and that's an improvement because not so long 
ago it was 42% and he has Brian Williams. Who do we have?

> Who would you rather have on the line in the last minute of a close contest, 
> Toine or Kobe?

Definitely Antoine he has won games for us with ball in his hand in the last 
minute. Kobe gets pushed around when the focus is on him. 

> As far as fairness in stats comparison, you forgot that Bryant shoots .452
> fg% to Toine's .399, .361% to Toine's .281% on 3 ptrs and .789% to Toine's
> .659 in ft%.

I am conceding that Kobe is shooting higher FG%, but Kobe has Shaq. It is much 
easier for a guard or a forward to shoot a higher FG% when the middle is clogged 
and the ball is kicked out or passed to weakside for a scoring opportunity. 
                                  - Mishra