random thoughts

[Mark Piotrowski <pio@nwu.edu>]

* The reason why I'd like to hold onto Walker if at all humanly possible:
I remember reading a quote by Kevin McHale (that's GM Kevin McHale - who
has done a pretty damn good job of rebuilding the T'Wolves) about scouting
talent -- it may of been around the time they were thinking about drafting
Garnett.

He said (something to the effect of) "One of the most important or rare
traits in a NBA player is the ability to create his own shot.  There are
plenty of great shooters in the NBA, but there are only a handful that can
create a shot totally on their own consistently or will ever develop that
ability."

Walker is definitely in that category of "being able to create their own
shot".  Mercer may (and I stress MAY) be able to create his own shot
someday, but right now pretty much relies on screens and fast breaks which
is fine for a 2nd year player.  But contrast that to Walker's 2nd year
where he could create shots (including some bad shots,but remember there
were plenty of good ones too) against people like Malone, Rodman, etc.  He
could also do this with a little less regularity in his rookie year even
against some centers when he was stuck their by ML.

This lack of a dominant scorer, you may recall, was one of the biggest
deficits of the post-Reggie Lewis, pre-Pitino teams (unless you include
Brett Szabo!)

* A thought about a backup point guard.  Robert Pack.  Dallas is supposedly
looking to shop him b/c they want Steve Nash to take the majority of the
minutes at the PG.  Pack is one of the quickest players in the league
(might be faster that Edney but not quite Iverson quick).  He's bounced
around the league b/c of injuries and b/c teams seem to get a good deal in
return for him.  He can create his own shot and drive to the basket.  His
salary is pretty big, so I was thinking Minor & D. Jones for him.  Maybe
this would be a case of a change of scenery doing both players good - since
neither figure in the teams' top 8 or 9 rotation.  Both of their contracts
last till '01.
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Mark Piotrowski
Registrar,
Northwestern University Prosthetic-Orthotic Center
345 E. Superior St.
Room. 1712
Chicago, IL 60611

(312) 908-8006
pio@nwu.edu
www.repoc.nwu.edu/nupoc/nupoc.html
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