Re: Closing Window of Opportunity

["Cecil Wright" <cecil@hfx.eastlink.ca>]

Hey folks,

I know all of Celtic Nation is depressed over the "Captain's Comments."  And
I agree that his remarks were ill-advised to say the least.  But I don't
think all is lost because Toine's head is not yet where we want it.  There
are other players who have something to say about the success or failure of
the C's also.

Employee #8 has got to be smarting over SAR's inclusion to the Olympic
roster.  I would want to think that RP would be able to use that as one
specific motivational tool to inspire him to come to camp in shape and
determined to atone for past indiscretions.  As a captain, one of his
responsibilities is to lead by example.  Coming in flabby and being
unwilling to pay the price physically is the worst possible example to set.

Now y'all know I have supported this team to the point of ridicule and I
will continue to do so.  I do want to point out the fact that Toine said he
did not want to leave Boston.  The gooves baited him into the whole trade
scenario in the same vein as when Mo Vaughn mentioned that he wouldn't mind
playing in Toronto a few years ago.  Of course, the phrase "if you were to
leave Boston" was omitted giving the appearance that Mo indicated he would
like to leave to play in TO.  Toine, to his credit, said he preferred to
stay here and finish what was started.  He also said that defense was the
problem moreso than the offense.  I agree with him on that point.  And I
hope that Moiso and Blount will be able to lend a hand to step it up a
little as well as a healthy AG.

I certainly understand how people are frustrated and pissed off right now.

Cecil




----- Original Message -----
From: <DJessen33@aol.com>
To: <celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2000 4:01 PM
Subject: Closing Window of Opportunity


> The Celtic situation is pathetic. I don't know when I have ever been so
down
> on the Celtics. At when ML was here, it wasn't that far from the
championship
> years so I still had hope. Now, those days are so long gone. The Garden is
> gone. None of the current players wants anything to do with that era.
> Walker's comments on WEEI made it clear to me.
>
> The Celtics are "losing Pitino" away from being one of those cold weather
> teams (Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Washington) that no one wants to play
> for. The Knicks and maybe the Nets will always have an attraction playing
in
> bigtime New York. The only thing the Celtics have to sell is Pitino and
his
> style. That is it. If he goes, it is game over, man. I have had plenty of
> criticism for Pitino. But he is the only gimmick we got. Having a
> tight-fisted owner hurts but I don't see why anyone would want to come to
> Boston just to play for Bird the Owner. I don't see players making plans
to
> play for MJ.
>
> We're toast, folks. Sure, we can get lucky at get a Duncan or Vince Carter
in
> the draft and turn things around. However, that is a crapshoot. It even
seems
> that Pitino has lowered his expectations to just being a good team instead
of
> a great team.
>
> The bottom line is that two things must happen. We must end the Walker
era.
> We will always be a loser team when Walker and his attitude is your best
> player. Will we get true value for him, I think so. Every coach if he is a
> good one has to think that he can get the best out of him. But he doesn't
> have the value that some people think simply because he is a risk. He
isn't a
> sure thing. His comments on WEEI indicate what a challenge he is. The
saying
> is that in college, the team takes on the personna of the coach. In the
NBA,
> the team takes on the personna of the best player. Well, unfortunately,
> Walker is our best player although I think it should be Pierce if he would
> step up. I think he will take over the team if Walker is moved. But until
you
> move that attitude, everyone else will take his "what about me" attitude.
>
> Second, Pitino must go back to his pressing style. Whether it works in the
> NBA or not, I don't know but I can only hope. Many players will like to
play
> that style because it allows for alot of creativity and playground style.
But
> it is the only gimmick that Boston can sell.
>
> If these things are not implemented, we will be reduced to a feeder team.
> Detroit, the Cavs, Washington, Chicago--what do these teams have to hope
for?
> Get lucky in the draft just to see that player leave at the first
opportunity
> to go to a winning organization or a warmer climate? The window of
> opportunity is closing. I feel this is the last year that Pitino may be
able
> to sell his snake oil to the players on his system or it will be declared
a
> failure in the NBA. That is why he must press alot this year and we must
move
> out the square pegs. If not this year, then the only hope we have is to
get
> lucky in the lottery....
>
> DJessen33
>