RE: Sonics

[Cecil Wright <nocw1@nsh.library.ns.ca>]

On Sat, 10 Jan 1998, John Lyell wrote:

> Cecil you are correct. The Kemp for Baker swap could be just what they 
> needed.  Baker outscored Kemp 25-9 I believe the other night in about 28 
> minutes .  This guy does not get the credit he deserves.  You are right I 
> still have not seen CB show signs he can play the point at the level we 
> need.  Many say it took Payton a fews years, this is not totally correct. 
>  Payton was an excellent playmaker in college, and has always been a 
> playmaker.  He was not moved from another position and made play something 
> he was not.  This usually does not work at the pro level.

He (Payton) was also severely criticized for his out-of-control erratic 
play and deplored for his antagonistic and often confrontational style.  
In other words, there were noticeable chinks in his armor.

> You are correct this was a team loss, but I believe that that point makes 
> everything happen or not.  The good point guards are able to penetrate for 
> easy layups or dish off to teammates for easy baskets and make everyone 
> better. 

You won't find many easy layups by point guards anymore, because most 
teams play a hellp defence.

> If you watch a Stockten or Kidd, as soon as they get the ball the 
> push it up the floor and can read the lanes of find the open man.  Billups 
> seems real hesitant to do this or just doesn't show the instinct.  

I agree on this point.  He seems hesitant alot more than a good point 
guard should, but he obviously hasn't reached that level yet.

Here's stats from Payton's rookie year, followed by Billups':
82g, 27.4mpg, .450fg%, .0773pt%, .711ft%, 3rpg,   6.4apg,   2spg,   7.2ppg
33g, 23.8mpg, .375fg%, .3303pt%, .842ft%, 1.9rpg, 3.9apg, 1.48spg,  10.1ppg

FYI, during the 93/94 season, Payton's ft% dipped to .595%, but he improved.
Who's to say CB can't improve other areas of his game as well?  The fact 
is that C's fans demand success.  That is okay but we must realize that 
babysteps are being made with this team even though we played like crap 
last night.  Like it or not, it will take more time than any of us would 
like, but my Mom always said that "good things come to those who wait."

Be patient my friend.

Cecil


> Do they need time ?  Yes but again how much ?  Some say more than a season 
> but RP has seen Billups more than anyone with the college experience, 
> tryouts, camp &  season hopefully he knows what he is doing.  IMO I don't 
> see a long term stay with the Celtics, maybe I am wrong.
> 
> That's all we need is another 2 guard that can't shoot and has no trade 
> value  in a long term contract.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Cecil Wright [SMTP:nocw1@nsh.library.ns.ca]
> Sent:	Saturday, January 10, 1998 3:43 PM
> To:	John Lyell
> Cc:	'Celtics'
> Subject:	Re: Sonics
> 
> In fairness John, Seattle pretty much has the whole package, I'd say.  We
> can't match up with Detlef.  We don't have a shot-blocker like McIlvaine,
> at least one that gets significant minutes anyway.  For all his promise,
> Mercer has yet to prove that he is a shooter with the consistency of
> Hersey Hawkins, and of course, Billups is far from the level of Payton.
> 
> They have a superior bench with the likes of Dale Ellis and Sam Perkins.
> We do not match up well against that caliber of players yet.
> 
> Also, Detlef had 8 assists, Greg Anthony had 7 and Payton had 5. What we
> witnessed last night was intelligent decisions made by the
> Sonics, not only by Payton.  You're persecuting Billups for circumstances
> beyond his control.  If he played a flawless game last night, the C's
> still would have lost and some fans would dismiss the effort because of
> the result, ala Toine after the Wizards game.
> 
> It's perfectly clear that you don't believe in CB's ability, and whenever
> his game can be called into question, you will leap to the occasion, but
> if you can't share the blame in an abysmal performance like this one,
> yours is little more than a personal attack on the guy.
> 
> Pitino said that the TEAM received a lesson, not any individual, and I
> include THE COACH as part of that team.  Seattle is a team to be
> emulated.  I do share your dream of Baker, and I believe that he will
> become a Celtic whenever he has the opportunity, at least I hope.
> 
> Cecil
> 
> On Fri, 9 Jan 1998, John Lyell wrote:
> 
> >
> >
> > We got to see what a top notch team looked like tonight with a real point 
> > guard.  We were totally outclassed.  Even Pitino said it in the postgame. 
> >  I still would love to se Vin Baker in Celtic green !
> >
> > You need consistent outside scoring, point guard penetration, and ball
> > movement to spread the defense open up the easy shdots.  We still really
> > don't a good job at any of these.
> >
> >
> 
>