Re: Victory in Charlotte

[j.hironaka@unesco.org]

Thomas Murphy wrote:

> The key numbers in last night's victory were 12, 11, 10, 13, 10.
>
> These were the number of shot attempts by the starting five of Pierce,
> Walker, Potapenko, Anderson, and Mercer.

Well said. It recalls the Celts of  Ramsey, Sanders, Heinsohn etc., although
I'm too young to really know. Don't forget, however, that our opponents also
shot 58 percent from the floor.


> Walker in particular deserves credit, finally showing that he DOES have the
> ability to distinguish between a good and bad shot attempt. Many people
> have been after Walker for taking untimely three pointers, but any true
> index of his poor shot selection would have to include the many times in
> the past when he has forced up a shot resembling a shot-put attempt when
> double- or even triple-teamed in the post. Again, to his credit, by my
> count he only did this one time last night. Whatever the reason, Walker was
> unbelievably unselfish - particularly in the first quarter when he
> attempted only one shot (a wide-open three, which he drained). For those of
> us looking for improvement in Walker's game, last night was a far more
> hopeful development than the gaudier numbers he posted in Cleveland or
> against Indiana. And it's about time, since if one stops to think about it,
> Walker is probably the fifth best shooter out of the starting five, even if
> one excludes his three-pointers.

I contest your last point. (Hey, I'm frantically working on my Hironaka
wiggle). BTW, what was an average Bird year from the 3-point line? Maybe 37%?
I think Walker is pretty dependable this year from that range, hovering above
35% occasionally and holding quite steady. He's the only one on the team that
can get off and hit a contested jumpshot from that range, as opposed to catch &
shoot.


> Now let's hope this trend continues.The offense in general appeared to be
> much more diversified. There was far more movement, particularly away from
> the ball. It looked to me as if
> Pitino (and Walker) had finally unleashed Kenny's ability to distribute the
> shots and run a pro offense, and as a result we got an offensive
> performance reminiscent of the first few games Kenny played with the team
> last year (before Kenny was shackled to the 'Kentucky playbook'?). The
> success on offense allowed Pitino to run his trapping defense (with mixed
> results) thereby permitting Pitino to dictate the tempo of the game. In
> this instance at least, Kenny's abilities on offense directly contributed
> to Pitino's implementation of his concept of trapping team defense.
>
> Are the Cs out of the woods? Not by a long-shot. The key in the NBA is
> consistency, and there's another test tonight against a Detroit team
> already pumped-up by a road win in Atlanta.

Yeah, I think the Celtics may be back to the familar "win-loss-win-loss"
holding pattern for awhile. Detroit is one team that by happenstance I've
watched play rather frequently against the Celtics, and they have shown me a
knack for handling our full-court press with ease as well as for getting
critical baskets against our man defense when needed. It seems they always have
three veterans on the court who can dribble and think at the same time, plus
they have Grant Hill so enough said. That's a major challenge for Paul Pierce
and Antoine Walker, and I hope the home crowd proves their intelligence by
supporting them if they play smart.


> Are things looking up for the Cs? After last night, one has to conclude
> that perhaps for the first time this season some of the chronic problems
> associated with this team are finally being addressed. Let's see if that
> continues to be the case tonight.
>
> Best wishes
>
> -Tom Murphy

"Best wishes"!?  In our off-list and Celts-list exchanges, you really stick to
the "politesse" thing.  I think Tom may be challenging our unchallengeable
Celts-list Netiquette role-model, Dorine. Personally, you're making me feel
more and more like a philistine these days....this "fellowship of the
miserable" crowd and all that. Well now just tell this list something they
don't already know. :-)

Happy Oyster week-end, folks! Best regards,

Joe Hironaka


BTW, Pete Delevett I hope you call me and my lovely (pregnant) wifey when you
are in Paris this weekend. I'll lie to her that we are old prep school mates,
to avoid any shame on my part.


****