The Dell'Apa Article

[opi@unesco.org]

    I think the nice Frank Dell'Appa article posted below might help
solidify and legitimize Antoine Walker's "new" approach to the game.
Half the fans who will see this article will stop reading halfway and
groan "this is a total propaganda puff piece" while others will conclude
that "Antoine finally gets it!"

    I do think it is a helpful article for the kid, but unfortunately it
isn't saying anything new. In fact, Antoine 1) has been quoted in the
Herald saying pretty much the same thoughtful, intelligent things off
the court over his entire career in Boston despite the tag-team
character-assassination efforts of the Globe, and 2) he's sure to
continue having his fair share of horrendous, butt-ugly games down the
road mixed in with the rare performances like last night. It's the
nature of his game.

    I've attentively watched a fair number of the games this year but I
still don't think Antoine is that much more under control or less
selfish overall than the second half of last year. The guy still has a
long way to go. He's shooting A LOT more shots lately but when all is
said and done, Antoine remains at his career average in shooting (.425)
but has regressed in every other meaningful statistical category of
"selflessness" this year.

    I think by far the most clearly identifiable difference this year is
that the Globe finally recognizes how easy it is to applaud ignorance,
monger hate and foster a mean-spirited environment toward a player
through its so clearly calculated hatchet jobs on Walker, culminating
these days in the most empty seats at the "Gahden" since the Bill
Russell era (which in turn no doubt negatively impacts the Globe's daily
circulation, since I for one would only buy it for its sports page
anyway). I guarantee you the Globe hierarchy added Dell'Apa to the Celts
beat only after reading Peter May's bafflingly sarcastic and
bored-sounding coverage of our team over the first 10 or so very
competitive games of this season. If they could have their way, they'd
probably fire him (preferably to replace him immediately with Bill
Cooper).

    I hope to see more balanced Globe coverage down the road, certainly
not necessarily just positive puff pieces from Dell'Apa. But these no
doubt well-educated writers should feel ashamed for putting themselves
in the same company of the most close-minded of Boston society - the
type of guys who think Bunker Hill was named in honor of Archie Bunker.
Boston is one of the last places in America where people still think
certain acts of narrow-mindedness and racism can be considered
humorous...and certainly even patriotic. Whoa, sorry to get sidetracked
into my own no doubt tiresome obsessions yet again.

Anyway, the article below is a good one and worth reading. Incidentally,
"Dell'Apa" in Italian translates (roughly) as "Of the Monkey Outbreak
Supporters".

-----

Walker settling into his role as leading man
By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff, 1/4/2000

 Antoine Walker continued his prolific run as the Celtics took a 105-98
win over Cleveland last night. But he is not expecting life to be quite
as easy when the Celtics visit New York tonight.

 ''New York plays a stingy type of defense,'' Walker said. ''They are
not going to let one guy score 30 or 40 points. So, it's going to take a
team effort and we are going to need five or six guys in double
figures.''

Such anticipation is a sign of Walker's leadership potential and
motivational ability. After producing 32 points, 13 rebounds, and 6
assists against the Cavaliers, Walker had earned the right to bask in
glory. But Walker realizes that he will not likely be able to
single-handedly carry the Celtics every game, though that is precisely
what he did last night.

''That's as good as it gets, for the year or maybe his whole career,''
coach Rick Pitino said. ''He's probably scored more points but he was
outstanding on defense, and when you go to the line 18 times as a power
forward, that epitomizes a power forward's job.''

Walker has led the Celtics in scoring seven successive games, averaging
25.8 points, and has gained the composure that was lacking during an
inconsistent start to the season.

''I feel a lot better,'' Walker said. ''I never make excuses, but my
ankle was bothering me, my thigh. I didn't report that. But those things
aren't bothering me any more.''

Indeed, Walker seems to be playing more aggressively, driving to the
baseline and rebounding. But Walker is also performing with more poise
offensively, instead of rushing into difficult situations.

''We were playing with six new guys,'' Walker said, ''and trying to
figure out an identity. That takes time, and that's why we play so many
games.

''Now, we are trying to make the game a lot easier for ourselves, making
sure we don't beat ourselves. And as our defense gets better, we will
get better as a team. This is the team we want. Everyone is rooting for
each other, and we don't want anyone to get traded. We feel we can do it
with what we have.''

Walker's flaws are still apparent, but he minimized them last night. And
his persistence in driving to the lane placed pressure on the Cavaliers'
unintimidating inside defense.

''I had him in college and he was a devastating offensive rebounder,''
Pitino said. ''What you have to do is treat every shot as if it's a pass
to you. Plus, he is in tremendous shape and he doesn't fatigue. Antoine
is a very, very bright man and when he does things that don't look good
it's hard for me to fathom.

''He is getting better and better and I love the way he is playing. He
has become a playmaker. And with Kenny Anderson, Adrian Griffin, and
Antoine on the floor making plays, we are getting easy shots and that is
why we are shooting a good percentage.''

Walker's uneven performances last year and early this season seem to
have been forgotten - at least for the time being. Walker is redefining
his role and seems more than willing to take on the responsibility of
team leader.

''I didn't play well the first two times against Cleveland and I wanted
to show I was capable of playing better,'' Walker said. ''But the main
thing is getting the W. We are fighting like crazy to get back to .500.
We feel like we've blown our good start to the season but we are very
confident, and we hope that now is our time for a seven- or eight-game
winning streak.''