Kenny and the Melon Man

[OzerskyJA <OzerskyJA@cmog.org>]

Ryan, 

I don't mean to be argumentative today, but this is
my particular bete noire about the Celtics.  The reason
you saw so many of those guys taking ill-advised shots
(i.e. "all our offensive options failing repeatedly") is because
of Kenny.  Offense doesn't exist in a vacuum. The reason the 
Pete Chillcuts, Connor Henrys,
and Michael Coopers of the world look good offensively 
is that their point guards know where to get them their shots;
they know to cut and run the floor, because they believe the PG 
will get them the ball if they do; and because, despite not being gifted 
shooters, their PG gets them easy shots, layups, and dunks off of fast
breaks,
thus improving their confidence.  Put Mark Jackson in at point guard,
and you will see a mysterious (to you) elevation in everybody's offensive 
ability.  Either you are not watching the games much or you don't
recognize how truly poisonous a selfish point guard can be, particularly
on a young, frisky team like the Celtics.  For me, Kenny's offensive 
generalship is the number one reason we missed the playoffs this year.

And btw, no matter how much you hate Walker, to say that he doesn't
have any low-post moves is simply spiteful and wrong.  If anything, his
problem is that he has too many low-post moves, and that he needs a 
go-to step instead of playing as what he is, which is a 6'9" Earl Monroe,
minus the ability to finish.  (And if he ever gets his ass in shape, he will
finish.)


Josh Ozersky	
Marketing Communications Specialist 
Corning Museum of Glass

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Ryan Lee [SMTP:rlee_at_channing@yahoo.com]
> Sent:	Tuesday, July 25, 2000 2:36 PM
> To:	Roy Enrile
> Cc:	Celtics@igtc.com
> Subject:	Re: Walker has a huge melon on his shoulders...
> 
> True, I may have overstated myself that Kenny is one
> of the best Celtic point guards, but compared to the
> point guards that the Celts have had after DJ, Kenny
> is definitely one of the best the C's have had in
> years.  Sherm and Shaw were really nothing to write
> home about.  As for not doing anything with a talented
> team, it's not the point guard's fault when everyone
> is playing like a dumbass.  Pierce shot terribly this
> year compared to his rookie season, Walker is a
> terrible shooter period and has no low post moves
> (don't tell me that lousy jump hook is a move because
> it goes in .002 % of the time), Vitaly can't catch the
> ball in traffic, Fortson is not a scorer, Battie is so
> inconsistent shootingwise it's scary, and poor Adrian
> was never the same after he sprained his ankle.  So
> how much of the blame is really on Kenny?  He may not
> be in Stockton's class of assist making, but when all
> your offensive options fail repeatedly, how many
> assists can Kenny really get?  I was surprised he even
> had 4-5 assists per game this season given all the
> ball hogging going on.  
>   Let me make it clear that I am not die hard Kenny
> fan (I like Payton better) but it makes me sick to see
> everyone blame Kenny when most of the blame is on
> Melonhead's and Pierce's shoulders.  But Pierce still
> hasn't reached his peak yet and Antoine has so the
> captain needs to go now before the C's have yet
> another losing season.  
> 
> R
>   
> --- Roy Enrile <renrile@qualcomm.com> wrote:
> > 
> > Good fresh takes on the issues Ryan.
> > 
> > I agree about Antoine, and think Kenny was
> > efficient, took smart shots,
> > and hustled last year.
> > 
> > But I disagree, and think Kenny's not one of the
> > best point guards,
> > because his whole career, he had assist averages
> > like some scrub.
> > He couldn't compare to even middle tier guys in that
> > department (Cassel,
> > Excel).  He deserves some blame.
> > 
> > Basically even though Kenny is a real good
> > ballplayer, when you have a
> > talented team, and the offense doesn't run
> > smoothly(bad
> > ball movement), it is the Coach and the Point
> > Guard's fault.
> > 
> > On Tue, 25 Jul 2000, Ryan Lee wrote:
> > 
> > > Trade Walker period.  
> > 
> > > So go
> > > ahead, trade Kenny and see where this team will
> > end
> > > up.  Trade Walker and up is where this team is
> > going. 
> > >   
> > > 
> > > R
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
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> > 
> 
> 
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