Re: Celts 2000

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

----- Original Message ----- From: Gene Kirkpatrick

> I just don't feel the negativity that some of you do.  Maybe I'm so
> far away and would feel differently if I breathed Boston air, but I
> think our upgrading around the edges will produce significantly better
> results this year.  Things do change.

Hi Gene,

I have to say, I AM more pessimistic about this team this year.  How can you
not be after two years of regression, despite what seem like upgrades in
talent each year.  I'm not slitting my wrists over it, though, for some
reason.  I think it's because we're reaching some sort of conclusion about
Pitino.  Either this team is going to come together and start playing some
serioius ball this year and beyond (and I do give that a legitimate chance
of happening) or it's time to start over (again).  At least this time, if it
is time to start over, there are a couple of players that the next coach
would keep.  There's also a couple that you could trade without having to
take back a Kenny Anderson type contract.  As well as draft picks that
should produce better talent than Billups and Mercer.  I guess that counts
as progress.

You are completely right, though.  The additions may not seem enough for
those who want to see a complete shake-up, but they could be just what was
needed.  Backup point guard alone was a desperate need, and having one could
make a huge difference.  How much of the bench's ineffectiveness was due to
Dana's absolutely wretched play last year?  How many double digit leads did
the bench squander?  Sometimes two in the same game!  How badly was the team
crying out for another body big enough to play center?  Preferable one that
can block a few shots?  Is that Mark Blount?  I don't know, but that article
on him made him sound like a seven foot Adrian Griffin story.  How good is
Moiso?  Well, the most encouraging thing I heard written about him was that
he's actually got a low post move (singular) that he goes to too much.
Well. that's one more low post move than any other of the big men.  And can
we ignore the fact that this will be Kenny, Antoine, Tony, V (almost) and
Paul's third year playing together?  Don't we have a right to expect
improvement from them?  Not just as individuals, but as a team.  Yes, Gene,
I do see how this team could very well play much, much better than they did
last year. It's just that after each year of failure I'm going to expect it
less and less.  I think it's completely reasonable to consider this Pitino's
last chance to show that he can do something with what really is not that
bad a team.

Jim