Re: Shaq Quotes etc.

[opi@unesco.org]

Jim Meninno wrote:

> >From: opi@unesco.org
> >In the slow-motion replay of the shot (Couz or Heinsohn actually
> >highlighted the "and NO wiggle, either" part), you could see a couple of
> >distinguished elderly fans in the front row literally grimace in disgust
> >after Walker made his shot and turned around to return to the bench (as
> >though they were hoping he'd miss). I guess you can't teach an old dog new
> >tricks. It seems like a few fans are conditioned to root for Toine to fall
> >flat on his face.
>
> Bob Ryan and Peter May, perhaps?  Seriously, though, what makes you think
> they weren't Knicks fans?

Well I (unscientifically) concluded they were Celts fans because of a certain
look of disgust in their eyes (particularly an old lady), just as Toine turned
and faced in their general direction. I don't think you'd react with disgust
per say just because the visiting team you support had given up a first period
three point shot. Fox TV showed Antoine's face close up after the play, and all
he was doing was smiling, not slamming his fist on his chest or gyrating. I
don't want to make a big deal about one isolated fan reaction. It's just that
there was only a smattering of applause from fans in that particular section,
certainly no jumping out of chairs or cheering etc. Fox does occasionally put
the camera on fans holding up pro-Antoine signs, looking for all the world like
there's nothing shameful about supporting the guy. I think most Boston fans
remain open minded, but there are fans who seem pre-conditioned to assume any
Antoine antic is ball-hoggedy and ill-advised, regardless of the shot clock
situation or how open he is. No question, this year I can easily hear on TV the
much talked about collective groan when Antoine misses another shot. I must
admit, though, that when Antoine clanks a shot he has this special way of
missing by a lot. Mercer last year was just as ball-hoggedy and just as prone
to miss shots, yet he didn't launch nearly as many total bricks.

I hope the undermanned Celts go out believing they have enough talent and
cohesion to destroy the 10-14 Hawks at home tomorrow, but Antoine actually
isn't the only Celts starter not stepping up his level of play (.421 shooting
and 7.3rpg in the six losses, most notably a 2-13 disaster in San Antonio) so
the situation looks pretty unpromising:

-Eric Williams shot a miserable .239 (11-46) in five games as a starter during
Pierce's absence.
-Potapenko is just .352 (6-17) with 5.5 rpg since coming back from injury two
games ago.
-Battie is contributing only 3 field goals per game in the six losses (despite
having two big 16-point nights) and is averaging a less than impressive 5.0
rpg. He remains a poster child of inconsistent play.
-Kenny has stepped up somewhat as our second scorer (15.3 ppg in the six
losses) but he has missed more than half his shots in four of those games and
hasn't had big assist games with the exception of last night.
-Griffen is averaging below double figures in scoring in December, and is a
quiet 34-80 overall for the month in ten games.

We desperately need a second scorer and some clutch play to win against
Atlanta, not to mention another good effort on the boards. The Celtics are 3-7
in December thus far, which means in theory that they can STILL finish at .500
if we run the tables. I hope the entire team can stay positive and focused. It
all starts tomorrow night against a struggling, bad-chemistry Hawks team that
has lost three straight games and five of their last six (most recently to
lowly New Jersey). This is, of course, the last Celtics home game of the
century and the last on the original parquet. It is pretty much a "must win",
above all since we'd want to avoid going back out on the road with our losing
streak intact.

If we lose to Atlanta, our next hope is the Clippers. Last year we blew out the
lowly Clippers on St Pat's day to end the worst stretch of our season.
Hopefully, this game will again provide a spring board. It is our best chance
to break the season-killing 9 game road losing streak (and hopefully start a
two-game winning streak to boot).

Go Celts! (please)

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