Re: Re[2]: coaches

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

Let's say the other team fouls Walker every time. Then his scoring
efficiency goes up to 55% which is on the order of what Karl Malone
does. I agree that it's a liability that he doesn't shoot better
from the line, because they'll foul when he has high percentage 
opportunities (like breakaways) or in late game situations. He 
also loses points when he is "unintentionally" fouled. But opponents 
won't foul just to make him prove something though. It would be 
foolish for them.

As for whether Antoine is too slow to guard small forwards: I doubt
it, but Pitino probably has a pretty good idea.

Alex

> I agree that Toine would have an advantage backing them down on the blocks,
> but given his preference of bombing away, I'm not that his advantage
> wouldn't be significantly reduced, or even nullified in some cases.
> 
> I am not in favor of giving up easy hoops at one end, while he would
> certainly be fouled and forced to earn it at the line.  At this point in his
> career, I would foul him too until he shows that he can stroke em.  We are
> surely in a heap a trouble if we are depending on Toine winning many games
> with his free throws.  Perhaps we may be better off asking Mercer to work on
> the driving aspect of his game since he is next to Dana, he's our best from
> the line.
> 
> Cecil
> 
> 
> Cecil
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Mark Berry <mberry@journalink.com>
> To: Cecil Wright <cecil@hfx.andara.com>; <DJessen33@aol.com>;
> <celtics@igtc.com>
> Sent: Friday, May 07, 1999 12:48 AM
> Subject: Re[2]: coaches
> 
> 
> > A few responses:
> >
> > >Another issue I'd like to bring up concerns the potential trading of
> Mercer
> > >and the ramifications of moving Toine to the 3 spot.  I am very concerned
> > >that some of the quicker 3's in the league will just plain beat his ass
> off
> > >the dribble, resulting in either someone stepping in to pick up the foul,
> or
> > >just an easy bucket.  I am trying not to be a doubting thomas, but that
> > >thought scares the shit outta me.
> >
> > No more than his continually being overpowered by stronger power forwards,
> I
> > hope. On the flip side of your argument, how many small forwards can
> handle
> > Walker in the post? Not many, I'd venture.
> >
> > >Someone else, probably Dan F., mentioned that Mercer fails to drive to
> the
> > >hoop with any authority and they doubted that he could.  Perhaps the
> > >shellacking he took from Popeye last year and the couple of shots he took
> > >this year which resulted in minor injuries, while taking it to the hoop,
> has
> > >something to do with it.  I do not question his courage and we do not
> know
> > >what Pitino has told him to do.  He may have been instructed to pull up
> on
> > >the drive unless there is a clear path.  We are not privy to lockerroom
> > >conversation, and if that were in fact the case, I doubt that information
> > >would be dropped so that every other team would be prepared for it in
> > >advance.
> >
> > Nope. Mercer never has been a driver. He wasn't at Kentucky, he isn't now
> and I
> > see no signs that he ever will be. He is what he is: A good (not great)
> medium-
> > range shooter coming off picks and an explosive finisher IN THE OPEN
> COURT.
> > Mercer isn't a good ball-handler, either. I hope we don't over-value him
> > (although I hope someone else does and makes a great offer).
> >
> >
>