Re: Hawk game

["Jim Meninno" <jim_meninno@hotmail.com>]

>From: Dan Forant Sr <dforant1@nycap.rr.com>
>True enough but starting 3 forwards instead of Pots got us off to the wrong 
>start from the beginning of the game. Pots is our starting forward and 
>should start every game. Battie obviously needs a lot of work. 2 rebounds 
>in 20 minutes and 2-7 shooting. Looks like we missed McCarty, out with the 
>flu. Out rebounded 35-61 tells all.

All indications are that the starting lineup will be Kenny, Paul, 'Toine, 
Tony and V, as soon as 'Toine is ready to handle the small forward slot.  I 
think it will, and should, remain the same after Fortson's return, as he 
will be able to come in and slide Tony over to center, where he'll do fine 
as a backup.  Until then, rebounding will be a concern, but you can't solve 
it by bringing in some ancient rebounder who you don't want to play for more 
than 10 minutes (ie. stop worrying about whether Mahorn would have been a 
better pickup than Conlin, everyone).  Tony and V are just going to have to 
step up here.

Now, I've given Antoine some grief over the last few days because he seems 
to have done so little conditioning work this summer, and I think he 
deserves it. HOWEVER, having seen limited stretches of the pre-season games 
so far, I think the move to small forward is going to work out great not far 
down the road.  Has everyone seen what a force Antoine is driving from out 
near the three point line?  No one can stay with him.  And these new rules 
changes make it even easier for him.  I mean, they can't even lay a finger 
on him until he's below the foul line.  I also think he passes much better 
on the move than out of the low post trying to hit cutters.  Best of all is 
that he seems to be able to make his free throws this year, and he's going 
to need to because he's going to draw a ton of grabbing fouls as he blows 
past defenders coming out to defend his respectable three point shot.

I'm similarly optimistic about Pierce at shooting guard.  His ball handling 
is not an issue, as far as I can see.  He's got as good a three point shot 
as anyone in the game, and he looks to me to be trimmed down this year, 
which is probably a good thing as he will need all his quickness.  
Offensively he is going to have his way inside against smaller guards and 
outside against the bigger ones.  I'm now convinced that both of these 
players will adjust to these positions much better than I originally 
thought.

Another bright spot for me has been Kenny Anderson.  People who say he 
doesn't play defense are going on reputation, like they did with Dana months 
after he had started to give a strong effort on D.  The new rule changes 
will mean he get's beat off the dribble plenty, every point guard will, but 
he's more than capable of returning the favor.  And, has anyone else 
noticed, but the offense is starting to look like they have a plan?  The 
chickens-with-their-heads-cut-off look has been scaled back considerably.  
That's still got a way to go, but the difference so far has been astounding.

As you can tell, I'm not at all phased by the fact that the Celts have lost 
more exhibition games than they've won.  They legitimately seem to be 
working on the finer points this year, not just trying to find a lineup that 
won't get pushed off the court.  I've got a very good feeling about things 
green right now, and I can't wait for the games to begin.

Jim

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