FW: Walker's recent performance

["Meninno, James A." <JMENINNO@PARTNERS.ORG>]

Hey, Jim, relax.  I think we're saying the same thing here.

I'm not saying that the problems I mentioned have surfaced recently.
But Antoine has looked less sure of himself.  I also think Kenny will
help Antoine's game, like I said.

I also agree, 15/75 is too much to pay Antoine right now, if you base it
on what he has done rather than potential (which seems to be the norm in
the NBA).  I was using those figures as an extreme to show how crazy
quoting a hundred million is.  Hell, according to Warwick, there's only
two players making over 15 mil right now.

Given what you confirmed for me about the cap earlier, as much as I want
to keep Walker (and I do, very much), I don't think you can pay a player
that much until you are sure you have ALL of the crucial pieces of the
puzzle in place.

So, as the immortal R Bentz Kirby would say...

Peace

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	jmf@capecod.net [SMTP:jmf@capecod.net]
> Sent:	Thursday, February 26, 1998 12:20 PM
> To:	Meninno, James A.
> Subject:	Re: Walker's recent performance
> 
> At 11:55 AM 2/26/98 -0500, you wrote:
> >First let me say that I am a big fan of Mr AW.  Now that that's
> >established...
> >
> >I'm not really surprised by the fact that Antoine's performances have
> >been down since Kenny joined the C's.  It will be an adjustment for
> him
> >at first to have another guy out there who wants the ball and knows
> what
> >to do with it.  Before long, however, this will help Walker's game
> >greatly, if not his numbers.  Let's not confuse the two.  Up until
> now,
> >Walker's numbers have been inflated by the fact that they needed him
> to
> >score so much.  The lack of an experienced point guard has caused him
> to
> >take a lot of poor shots.  I expect his shots to drop, but his
> >percentage to increase, resulting in a small decrease in points per
> >game.  His rebounds will suffer if he ever get's his shooting
> percentage
> >up because currently he's putting back about three of his own misses
> a
> >game.  I can't believe the number of three foot shots this guy
> misses.
> >But he is relentless in following them until he get's them in the
> hole.
> >
> >My biggest question about Antoine's game is, when was the last time
> >anyone saw Antoine make a move without the basketball?  I can't
> remember
> >him coming off a pick for a jumper, or making a back door cut for a
> >layup, or even executing a pick and roll.  No wonder he has so many
> >turnovers!  Every move he makes involves beating three guys off the
> >dribble.  Surely this can be improved witht he addition of Kenny
> >Anderson.
> >
> >Do I think we should pay Antoine the money?  Absolutely.  But, does
> that
> >have to be over a hundred million dollars?  I don't think so.  For
> God's
> >sake 15 million a year for 5 years is "only" 75 million.  How can you
> >make a bigger commitment than that to any player?
> >
> >Jim
> >
> >First let me say I am a fan of AW also,
> 	But, Antoines woes started long before KA arrived on the
> scene!!! There
> have been ALOT of games when Toine is out of control. Part of it is
> the
> system and part of it is Toine. He is a showboat!! It seems to me that
> Toine forgets (sometimes) that this is a team game. Games are won by
> making
> the players around you better. Right now Toine is not worth 10 million
> never mind 15. Until
> he learns that there are other players on the TEAM he wont be worth
> it. He
> continually forces the offense and his own shot. Just look at the
> numbers
> he averages more turnovers than assists!! I would also remind you that
> his
> shooting % SUCKS. This has happened over the season NOT THE LAST 3
> GAMES.
> So untill Toine grows up NO he is not worth the money!!!
> 	I do believe that KA will help Toine in alot of these
> catagories. Mostly
> because KA will relieve alot of the scoring burden. I also hope KA
> will
> teach Toine how to pass the ball and keep his teamates intersted in
> the
> game( but only time will tell)
>                 JIm