Re: Nice Bulpett Article

[opi@unesco.org]

DJessen33@aol.com wrote:

> This should be required reading for Pitino and the Celtic players....
>

Kenny Anderson said:
``We're a young team, but we can't just keep using that as an excuse.
How long are we going to use that? It's getting ridiculous. At a certain
point, you have to just go out and do the things that win you games.''

I wonder if even Kenny knows what it takes to win games. At least he
talks the good talk for a perennial losing-record point guard.

Personally I think the message is already loud and clear in the Celts
locker room. They want to win. They are disappointed that more veteran
teams with lesser talent are whupping them, but they believe in
themselves and can recite by heart what needs to be done.

And yet they remain a dysfunctional, underperforming and truly
inconsistent club prone to the "headless-chicken outbreak" that the rest
of the NBA laughs about. To his credit, Pitino has recognized that
basically gimmick-free defense, consistent board domination coupled with
under-control and intelligent offense is the ticket to ride in the NBA, a
fact proven year after year after year. The problem is he has accumulated
a bunch of the necessary role players but they are the antithesis of
McCarty-style athleticism. Hence these guys actually dillute any of the
advantages of the residual Pitino-style ball we try to play (forced
turnovers, havoc and general athletic superiority). Potapenko and Fortson
simply don't belong in a Pitino system. Try playing "Pitino-ball" with
them and you end up giving up an absurd .471FG%.

I don't want to downplay Pitino's formidable attention to detail and
preparation, innovative grasp of complexities or gift for motivating
prima donna jocks into a team spirit frenzy. He makes basketball sound
like brain surgery. But take away his sizeable college recruiting
advantages and motivational control over impressionable kids and the NBA
playing field becomes a little more level and unforgiving.

Bear in mind that the 1996 Kentucky club enjoyed not just three alumni
who have gone on to average in the vicinity of 20ppg against NBA
competition (Derek Anderson, Ron Mercer, Antoine Walker) but also
unprecedented depth (7 first-round NBA picks plus Jeff Sheppard, Wayne
Turner, Mark Pope, Heshimu Evans, Allan Edwards and Anthony Epps I
believe). He won't likely ever enjoy this talent advantage at the NBA
level.

Only the Lakers and Portland have been able to "recruit" as though the
salary cap didn't even exist at all. With Gaston at the helm, I don't
think the Celtics can afford to be that carefree.

Joe

****