Re: Pitino Changes Tune

[Josh Ozersky <josh_ozersky@yahoo.com>]

More important, if Pitino is talking about slimming
down Antoine, and we infer from that a move to small
forward, we have to figure that the current resident
at that position, because of his unwillingness to ride
the bench, will have to be moved to the 2 position. 
Which means ITS current resident is a goner.


--- Way Of The Ray  wrote:
> j.hironaka@unesco.org wrote:
> > 
> 
> > This probably means Pitino has changed his mind
> yet again on Battie.
> > Last week Battie had the tools to guard even a
> small forward like Grant
> > Hill. Then Pitino ridicules a reporter's
> suggestion by saying Battie
> > can't start because of his weak defense.
> 
> I'm not sure this is true.  I think it's more of an
> Antoine-specific
> issue, where Pitino has finally realized Walker
> isn't a power forward.
> Something, a lot of us have been pointing out since
> Antoine's been here.
> As far as Battie goes, should there be a trade for a
> power forward, he
> could
> be in the deal with Mercer or relegated to the
> bench.  So, I believe
> Pitino's comments to be an affirmation of Walker's
> future role with the
> team, not necessarily an endorsement of Battie.
> 
>  
>  > I think it is imperative for the second unit to
> add a steady scorer,
> > whether it be a Mercer, Pierce or someone else. 
> 
> Pitino has already pooh-poohed the idea of bringing
> one of the young
> stars
> off the bench.  Of course, he's prone to changing
> his mind, but the
> scorer
> coming off the bench may be whatever Clipper the C's
> receive in return
> for
> Kenny Anderson, possibly Rodney Rogers, who I think
> is playing well as
> of
> late.  
> 
> I believe that you'll see one of the young players
> dealt rather than be
> the next great sixth man...
> 
> I also think it's
> > evident that Battie and Vitaly can play well
> together in the starting
> > lineup. As for Battie's defense, guarding most
> power forwards is not the
> > same as guarding a big center, so there isn't
> sufficient evidence to
> > call him a flop. IMHO, he'll work out just fine as
> a starting power
> > forward in the NBA.  I feel we wasted his time
> (and our time) by forcing
> > him to exclusively play backup center.
> 
> Well it will be Battie or some other power forward. 
> There's 96 minutes
> of playing time at the C - PF, that could be divided
> in three ways, 
> so bringing Battie off the bench backing up
> Potapenko and Power Forward
> X,
> might not be a bad thing.  
> 
>  
> > The Celts running system can profit from a true
> shot blocker and fourth
> > rebounder in the starting lineup (along with
> Vitaly, Pierce and Antoine)
> > especially a guy who doesn't necessarily look to
> score but will dunk any
> > missed shot he retrieves with great authority
> (hey, our starters miss a
> > lot of shots after all).
> > 
> > Viva El Busto!
> 
> Or Viva whatever Power Forward's acquired in a
> Mercer trade.
> Ray
>  
> > Joe
> > 
> > p.s. Let's urgently chain mail Dan Forant's "Three
> Diamonds Offense"
> > (thanks Jim M.) attachment to all the basketball
> mailing lists out
> > there. I think he's on to something.  :-)
> 
> 

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