Re: Walker & talking

[davide <david.moskowitz@yale.edu>]

The criticism of Walker's trash talking is a bit misplaced, I think.
"This trash talking has no place in green & white"?  One of the Celtics'
(and the league's) all-time greats was an admitted, notorious
trash-talker.  Yes, he is now coaching the Pacers.
Trash-talking has been a part of the game for years and years.  It often
allows players to gain a psychological advantage over their opponents;
those who have always talked a lot on the court feel more comfortable
doing so, and it may allow them to get into the "groove" necessary for any
player to perform consistently.  
Clearly there are better and worse times for talking trash, and its use at
inappropriate times may be counter-productive.  But generally the only
times players are criticized for excessive talking is when they make
mistakes or if they are not established league stars (Jordan was, and
probably still is, one of the NBA's most vocal players).  People like Gary
Payton and Jalen Rose have mastered the art of "getting into opponents
heads," and while their basketball talents are not equal, it is hard to
imagine either playing the game with mouths closed - it's simply part of
their game.  It's part of Walker's game too, and if he makes mistakes on
the court, let's not be too hasty in blaming his yapping jaws.

peace,
davide 

On Mon, 2 Mar 1998, Cecil Wright wrote:

> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Greg Odegaard <gmodegaa@longvred.rmc.com>
> To: Sashi Kumar <kumarsas@duke.usask.ca>; boston celtics <celtics@igtc.COM>
> Date: Monday, March 02, 1998 4:16 PM
> Subject: Re: Minor...improving and steady.
> 
> >We are nearly at the point where we expect them to win every night, and
> >certainly compete to have a chance to win.
> >
> >Well done guys!
> >Greg
> 
> 
> I'm glad that WE are feeling optimistic about the C's chances this year.
> The fact is though that, from what little I've read, we were lucky to have
> won last night.  A team which blows a 25 pt lead in the 4th qtr, while
> giving up 43 pts in any one qtr, clearly has a lot of work remaining ahead
> of them.
> 
> Though the bottowm line may well be that we won, had we lost, Toine's head
> may have been requested on a platter!  With Mercer having what has been
> described as an off game (3/8 shooting), others had to step up their play.
> Apparently Minor and Knight responded.  But our franchise player shot 60%
> from the line, and with the final outcome hanging in the balance, of course
> they fouled him and gave themselves an opportunity to win the game in the
> end.  Thankfully, Stoudamire clanked on off the rim.
> 
> To make matters worse, he starts woofing in Rider's face, lighting a fire
> under him and giving him added incentive.
> 
> We must ask the question what happened to the days when you scored a basket
> and hustled back on defense to help out your team?  This trash-talking has
> no place in green and white, at least not until we have hung several more
> championship banners from the rafters of the Fleet, not that it should
> matter.  That's one facet which, aside of his impressive physical skills,
> makes Ron Mercer so appealing.  Thus far, I've seen none of that in your
> face swagger which disgusts me so.  Anyone who detests the confrontational
> style of the Worm must be scratching their heads in puzzlement over Toine's
> actions this year.
> 
> While I'm at it, is those the kind of actions which should be honored with a
> captaincy?  Or does one have little to do with the other?
> 
> Cecil
>