Comments: SoVerNet Verification (on pike.sover.net)gateway2000 from arc0a7.burl.sover.net [207.136.201.7] 207.136.201.7Wed, 24 Feb 1999 23:01:00 -0500 (EST)
I remembered the same thing and thought the same thoughts when I saw that
pass tonight. He truly is a gifted player. Haven't had so much fun
watching a game in a long time. They were all great tonight.
Dorine
----- Original Message -----
In Larry Bird's second pro game, at Cleveland, the Celts
rebounded a Cavs' miss and the outlet pass was thrown to Bird near midcourt.
Bird's back was to the basket where the Celtics were shooting, but in
one motion, without looking, he volleyballed the pass over his head to
a cutting teammate for the easy hoop. Even before he got the ball,
Bird knew where his teammate was, and then had the ability and smarts to
make the right pass for the situation.
I remember that episode clearly
because I knew at that moment that Bird was an extra special player. It came
to mind tonight because Pierce made a similar move that might mean he really
is a man of destiny, too.
If you missed the game, this sequence will no
doubt be on the highlights. Pierce was harassing Outlaw's dribble near
halfcourt, and he bothered him so much that Outlaw stumbled to one knee.
Walker bolted over to double-team, and deflected Outlaw's desperate pass.
Pierce grabbed the ball off the floor with his back to the basket where
the Celts were shooting. In one motion, without looking, he flipped the
ball over his head to Walker, who had taken off. Toine handed it to
Mercer for the two-on-none dunk.
In my 30+ years of watching the
Celts, I haven't seen many rookies who possessed the talent, intelligence and
poise to pull off that pass. Bird did, and now Pierce does. You may want to
remember that when anyone asks you just how good this kid is. -- Mike
Dynon North Kingstown, RI