Re: excellent post

[Joe Hironaka <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

---Jim Meninno  wrote:
>
> OK, something's wrong with the Celtics.  But what?  3-5 wouldn't be so
bad considering the schedule, if two of the three wins weren't so
unconvincing.  They're playing pretty poor ball, there's no doubt about
it.  I guess we could all just pin it all on Pitino's inability to coach at
the pro level and be done with it.  Of course, then we'd all slit our
wrists and there'd be no one left to carry on these engrossing
discussions.  So, here are my thoughts on a few problem areas.
> Antoine Walker:  Claims about his ego causing problems this year seem
totally groundless to me.  He seems to be deliberately taking a lesser role
in the offense and that's the way it has to be.  I also don't think there's
anything to the claims that Kenny's not trying to get him the ball as much
as the others.  With the addition of Paul Pierce, Antoine seems to be
taking far fewer outside shots.  If Pierce were a 6'11" inside player,
Antoine would have probably moved outside more. That's the great thing
about him, he has so many options.  The problem I see, though, is that his
inside moves have been awful this year.  His shot's getting blocked far too
often.  Someone on the list said a while ago, "it's called a fake, Antoine,
try using one".  His inside game is based on speed.  He hasn't learned
that, once his speed gets him by the guy, he needs to take his time.  He's
either taking the ball up too
quickly and getting blocked, or rushing wide open shots and blowing layups.

> Also, at times I believe he's the only player in the league that gets
called for travelling.  Antoine needs to spend every waking moment becoming
more comfortable with his post up moves.  Instead of a shooting coach, this
team needs a big man coach to teach back to the basket moves.  With
Pierce's range and ability to drive, there's no reason he and 'Toine
couldn't run an awesome half court 2 man game.  And, with Mercer waiting on
the weak side to punish the double teams, forget about it.

Josh Ozersky wrote:

> This is by far the most intelligent post I have read on here in the
> past week.

****

I'd second that. Very useful insights as usual from El Jimbo.

I surely need to catch up on my '99 Celts game videos before I shoot off my
mouth, but, intuitively, 1) I'd rather have Pierce play the three than
Antoine; and 2) I'd much rather have Pierce play the three than learn to
play the two.

The thing is it seems clear to me that the Celtics have enough PT minutes
at the 3 & 4 for a Popeye (still really the key to the season IMO) or a
Battie to play up to 2 solid quarters per game as a traditional power
forward, depending on which guy is hot. For example, Antoine Walker could
get just 8-12 minutes at the three and his remaining 24 minutes at the
four. Thus we need not force the prodigal rook Paul Pierce to guard all the
hotshot veteran NBA two guards out there. I personally think learning a new
position (guard) would magnify Pierce's minor weaknesses (like his handle)
and fail to best exploit several of his many strengths (superior rebounding
and quickness for a three).

Getting back to Josh and Jim, I'd have to say that it is competitively
advantageous IMO for Antoine Walker to continue his power forward
apprenticeship. I think the coaching staff must/should continue forcing
Antoine Walker to learn to play the four. It is in Toine's interest and the
club's interest IMO that he make an effort to develop into "the most
versatile power forward in the game" rather than continue being a slightly
out of control, shoot-long-and-often, small forward. I think AW has Larry
Bird (or at least Anthony Mason) "point power forward" ability. Plus, it's
v.important IMO that Pierce and Antoine continue to build chemistry playing
together, since they can develop into the most dominant forward combination
in the league by as early as the end of this season. That's not necessarily
wishful thinking, don't you think?

Again back to Josh and Jimbo's posts, I fully agree that the Celtics need a
"post doctor" more than a free throw "shot doctor". All our post moves look
lightning quick in execution compared to a Mailman or McHale, but these
whirling dervish spin moves frankly look clumsy and a waste of foot speed.
I'm sure McHale and Maxwell are watching this stuff and thinking "geez, I
could teach these guys a thing or two." Oh for the days when we had veteran
post players who could drill opponents with 60% accuracy from the field.
What a team we had from '84 to '87, before the tragedies.

Anyway, cool posts. Good game summary from Greg, too. Things can only get
better for our Celts, I say.

Joe

****