blame game?

["Thomas Murphy" <tfmiii@worldnet.att.net>]

Sorry to post a "me-too" (and after a loss, no less) but I think it's
important to keep in mind that it is always so very easy to blame the
players. I'd like to make a few points on their behalf. Thank goodness for
your comments Joe, a ray of sanity amid the chaos. 

How can someone blame Potapenko? The guy only ever gets to play half a game
(and always draws the tough defensive assignment). He's having a great game
and leading the team in scoring, so lets take him out and sit him down
during the crucial 10-15 minute span during the 3rd and 4th quarters?

The same goes for 'Toine and his post defense - it seems to me that the guy
is doing all he can but he is simply overmatched (this has been a problem
for him on offense too the last few games). For that matter, it's hard to
blame any player for lack of defense in the "outbreak" scheme since they're
all guarding two or three men. Could that be a reason why we are among
league leaders in fouls and opposition FG%?

And you are so right about Fortson. . . the poor guy's got to be scratching
his head! Gee, I wonder why he is so "foul-prone" - could it be related to
playing out of position at center? I thought that that was one of the
primary reasons he wanted to leave Denver.

And please, anybody, why does Pitino ALWAYS insist on having the smallest
team on the floor? 

These last few games have made me sicker than the flu has! It's just these
kind of "inexplicable" losses (TWO career highs for the Grizz last
night!?!) that can lead to an irrational desire to break up a young,
talented and balanced core. I like the core of this team (VP, DF, AW, PP,
KA, and AG) and would hate to see it dismantled simply because it has been
mishandled or through senseless desperation.

Thanks Joe for the dose of common sense!

-Tom Murphy

----------------
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2000 10:36:21 +0100
From: opi@unesco.org
Subject: Re: Griz Maul Celts: Vancouver (?) 111- Boston 103

Bill Cooper wrote:

>        Walker: after a very strong 2 or 3 weeks, Toine seems to be
> drifting
> again.  he did get 11 boards tonight, and had at least 3 offensive
> rebounds for scores.  He also made some nice passes and ended up with
> 7 assists (all in the first half).  But he didn't post at all, and
> turned the ball over 7 times, while shooting 7-18.  And for the second
> game in a row, he got beat up by a true low post player, as Harrington
> went for 27 on 11-14, as Toine didn't event try to deny him the post.

This could be Walker's fatal flaw as a power forward  (post defense).
Maybe he's hinting to Coach Pitino that Fortson should finally be in their
fighting low post guys in the paint. I don't know what Fortson needs to
prove to finally get quality, extended minutes in Boston (2 fouls and 4
boards in 9 minutes). If Eric Williams were to join Griffin on the IR,
then the minutes will no doubt go straight to Waltah. I would strongly
urge Fortson to get the hell out of Boston once this season ends. The guy
is starting to rebound like crazy plus he's not shooting bricks (16-21 on
FG so far). He must be wondering "what the hell else I'm supposed to do to
get minutes?" We're getting mauled on the boards and he's sitting on the
bench. He can at least help us as a 6-8 backup center this year, then next
year go somewhere where he'll be used properly.

> Potapenko: was the focus of a big promotion before the game (Shave
> your head like Vitaly and get into the game for free).  Anyway, he
> started the game fired up, and scored 12 points in the first quarter.
> Naturally the effect wore off as the game went along and Vitaly got
> into foul trouble.  Still had a more than respectable, 19 points and 8
> boards in 23 minutes.

8-13 with 8 boards in just 23 minutes is not entirely atypical of him. The
kid averages just 23.7 mpg and only gets 7.1 shot attempts per game (with
some strong, unblockable pivot moves and a .510FG%/.738FT%) yet we trash
him for not putting up flashier numbers. Basically, he was a "ball hog"
last night. Let's give him the damn ball once in awhile before we trash
him as a non low-post threat. Potapenko is another young guy who would be
much better off playing for any of the other 28 NBA coaches who don't play
a bombs away, headless-chicken outbreak. I know Bird covets him. I wish
Bird would just come home.

The only positive thing about losing consecutively to a 4-26 and 9-24 team
is that this speeds up Gaston's decision to buy-out the 6 million-a-year
coaching contract. The problem is that Bird (and Ainge) most likely won't
be available next year. Maybe Cowens or Lenny Wilkins (he deserves to
finally be around good locker room characters instead of the Ike Riders of
the world) will be available.

I'm just daydreaming though. In the real world, the smooth talking white
boy will stick it out and some of the key young players (beginning with
Fortson) will be the one's that go.

Still grumpy despite two great days on the street.

Joe

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