Re:

[opi@unesco.org]

Hi Josh,
    There's nothing more pleasant in my day-dreaming mind than VP
setting a shuddering pick on Kobe Bryant out on the perimeter, and
having opposing guards constantly looking over their shoulder for his
menacing shadow. If VP's such a fine passer and screen roll finisher
(and relatively prosaic offensive rebounder), then there is no better
system for him than the high post. The way Chris Wallace sees it, we
have a Laimbeer-Mahorn unselfish combination in Fortson and VP. That's
okay by me.

    Besides it's really nothing as dramatic as an "either/or" thing.
Feeding Potapenko, Pervis, Battie and others in the paint will
definitely be part of the mix this year. The Celts did in fact establish
a credible inside game later in the season, mainly directed through
Potapenko (now, if only he can hit his free throws this season). His
scoring and rebounding average rose rapidly over the last quarter of the
season. He had a better year in Boston than Matt Geiger did the year he
signed for 8 million or whatever it was, and he's a much more likeable
and motivated player.

    Relax!  (not that I should talk). :-)

Joe

*******

Josh Ozersky wrote:

> See, I completely disagree with this assesment of
> Potapenko.  I wish I could get someone on the coaching
> staff to listen to me!  I think the guy is a very
> fundamentally sound player, with a good basketball
> head on his shoulders.  He's being asked to dom
> something that is not in his nature -- VP on the
> perimeter is misapplied force, like putting in a screw
> with a hammer.  Anyone who thinks he is just a big
> body is seriously underestimating his shooting and
> passing skills, his footwork, and his understanding of
> how to play basketball.
>
> --- Dan Forant Sr <dforant1@nycap.rr.com> wrote:
> > Pots will settle down, don't expect miracles from
> > him. He may get a hair
> > better than last season who knows. What you see is
> > what you get w/Pots. It
> > takes more than a body to play round ball, he has
> > the body. The better
> > players are thinkers and some get basketball
> > naturally. I don't believe he
> > does. When the club formats him properly, he'll do
> > as expected, hustle and
> > provide size and not much else.
> >