Re: Shaky ground

[Theresa Lee <tjoyce@mit.edu>]

Alex's post brings two thoughts to mind:

1) if you follow NE sports, you'll notice that Pete Carroll, Patriots
coach, is now in his third year and the team is finally "his." He's getting
more positive media coverage, ran a tough, tight training camp and
responded to his critics. This guy was/is on the hot seat for his job. RP
may or may not develop the same response after training camp and the first
part of the season if he can get his team off to a quick start.

2) Hey Bill Cooper (or others with less talent, but more time) why not give
us a game summary for our new team?  A fantasy game with our new line-up.
Pick another team (maybe one that we CAN beat) and write up the game
summary. A line about Forston kicking the rebound out to Pierce who drains
a three from his favorite spot in the corner or Cheaney or Williams coming
off the bench for a quick ten points in the third quarter. Hey, maybe I'll
give it a try. It's August folks!

TJL

>Great post, Gene.
>
>There are even a couple new faces on the second unit (Williams, Cheaney)
>that could possibly make an impact. I was looking at some of the box
>scores last season and there were games where Bruce Bowen would play
>40 minutes, and he was a complete offensive liability. Hopefully the
>second unit players can produce more than Bowen did this season.
>
>Then there's the uncertainty of how effective Pitino's coaching will be
>over the course of a full season. Was his statement that he didn't have
>a chance to coach last season due to the lack of a coaching offseason,
>training camp, and practice time just a bogus excuse? Will this year's
>summer leagues, minicamps, upcoming grueling "boot camp", and psychotic
>practices translate into more wins on the floor?
>
>And will chemistry develop between the players? My feeling is that the
>offensive chemistry between Walker and Pierce was actually better last
>year without Mercer, and Fortson sounds like a guy that would help keep
>them both happy - doesn't take many shots, will probably kick out some
>passes after offensive rebounds, and hopefully can even clean the glass
>well enough so they can run after the defensive rebound. I have high
>hopes in this department.
>
>Defense depends on whether Fortson can hold his own inside without
>requiring help, and whether Anderson can keep the opposing point guard
>from blowing past him. Otherwise, Pitino will have to do a good job
>teaching his full court press and halfcourt traps.
>
>Alex
>
>> I think a big difference between our hoped for success this season and
>> the success others envision is the "key players" situation.  Most
>> other teams have questions about their number 4 or 5 players or their
>> bench.  We're concerned about the heart and soul of our
>> lineup--Antoine.  And beyond that, we worry about our point guard.
>> The middle level of our starting five may be solid--Pierce and VP--but
>> we could have real problems if Antoine and Kenny don't get with the
>> program.
>>
>> Add to that the unknown of Danny Fortson and whether he can work his
>> game into our system.  It's our big name people who have to come
>> through for us.  The Spurs know Duncan and Robinson will be solid.
>> The Sixers know their top players will produce, and Milwaukee and the
>> Pacers, etc.  Anyway, that's what is on my mind.  That's why we could
>> be a 33 win team or a 53 win team.  Not many teams face such
>> uncertainty.
>>
>> Gene
>>


-------------------------------------------------------
Theresa Lee
Alumni Officer III, Parent Programs and Telethons
Association of Alumni and Alumnae of MIT
10-140, 77 Mass Ave.
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tjoyce@mit.edu
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