Re: Mid-term report

[opi@unesco.org]

Hi Mike D.

It's a bit surprising that Bulpett would give Overton a "B" and McCarty a
"B-" particularly since he grades Paul Pierce just a "B-" and Walker a "C"
(same grade as Barros). Also Vitaly Potapenko's overall "C+" grade seems
unduly harsh compared to Cal Cheaney's "C+". Just my thoughts.

BTW, the Celtics ultimately played Charlotte without Paul Pierce, Adrian
Griffin, Calbert Cheaney and Eric Williams. Amazing that they were this
shorthanded at their deepest position. Subtract the games Paul Pierce has
either missed or got hurt early and the Celtics would be five games over
.500 (18-13).

Setting aside the bleak injury picture, the Celts need to go for broke with
their tougher lineup and aim for 50 boards in the Greasy One's face tomorrow
night, win or lose. Fortson finally brings in consecutive double-figure
rebounding games with his 23 boards in the last 40 minutes. His presence has
arguably rubbed off on the team's sense of identity. Potapenko is crashing
his way to 10.2 boards per game in the past five games. Antoine leads the
team this new year at 9.1 boards per game to go with his 4.33 assists (a
decent 1.5-to-1 assist/turnover ratio). For what it's worth, Antoine was
averaging just 6.84 boards before Fortson returned. Similarly, Potapenko
averaged 5.7 through December, but 8.2 so far this year.

Joe

****
Mike Dynon wrote:

> Average grade: C's: Midterm report shows Celtics
> have a lot more work to do before finals
> Celtics Report Card/by Steve Bulpett, Boston Herald
>
> Sunday, January 23, 2000

> PLAYERS
>
> Doug Overton B
>
> Overton is not seeing the floor too often, but Rick Pitino didn't think
> much at all about guaranteeing his contract for the season earlier this
> month. The coach likes his leadership and, indeed, Overton is
> perfectly willing to step onto the court after a timeout and note
> loudly to his mates that they need to start playing some defense (as
> he did in Washington last Monday). There was some though that
> Wayne Turner could contribute from this spot, but the veteran
> presence is looking better.
>
> Walter McCarty B-
>
> McCarty gets points for playing through a stress reaction in his right
> foot when others were hurt and the club couldn't afford another body
> out. Beyond that, he is as advertised, a decent appendage to provide
> defensive energy and occasional offense. The fact he's shooting
> better from outside the 3-point arc than from within is just another
> quirk in his game.
>
> Paul Pierce B-
>
> If it takes having an assistant coach explain to Pierce how important
> he is to the team, so be it. You'd like Pierce to realize on his own the
> responsibility his immense talent carries, but that hasn't always been
> the case. He's been guilty of extremes -- shrinking at times and
> forcing up ill-timed jumpers. Walker gets most of the heat, but Pierce
> has shot the Celts out of a couple of games this season, too. For this
> team to work, however, Pierce has to perform to his All-Star
> capabilities at both ends of the floor (34 points, five steals in
> Washington).
>
> Calbert Cheaney C+
>
> The right ankle sprain from November became more of a factor than
> Cheaney expected, slowing him out of the gate to the point he was a
> non-factor many nights. Pitino says Cheaney is too hard on himself,
> but he gave a glimpse of what he can do with his defense and late
> scoring push against Toronto last Wednesday. Through it all --
> adjusting to a new team and a new role -- he has carried the type of
> attitude that helped save the Celts from internal trouble.
>
> Vitaly Potapenko C+
>
> Potapenko is shooting well and leaving what he has on the floor (or,
> in the opinion of many referees, on opponents' bodies). The problem is
> rebounding, which for him is a hands issue. Potapenko gets his mitts
> on a lot of caroms, but he doesn't hold on to as many as he should.
>
> Antoine Walker C
>
> The grade and the tone of this evaluation would be quite different
> were this penned a few weeks ago. The fact Walker is looking more
> and more as if he ``gets it'' is no indication that he will continue to
> do so. Remember, 32 points and 13 rebounds against Cleveland were
> followed the next night by 13 points and six boards (and 0-5 on
> treys) in New York. When he hits the boards and passes the ball, the
> Celtics are a playoff team. He's done that about half the time, so his
> grade is reflective.
>