Re: THIS IS WHAT OUR YOUNG TEAM NEEDS!!!

["Cecil Wright" <cecil@hfx.eastlink.ca>]

Then can you explain why Lenny Wilkens is out of a job?  Is there anyone out
there who has a quieter, calmer, more professional style?  And also why
Pitino has won at every level except with the Celts?  You can fault the
coach all you like but it is the players who determine the fate of the coach
in most cases.  Was Red one of those calm, but strict professionals?  HAH!
My point about the veteran presence is that there may not be the appearance
of being freaked out, as you say, with a team that has so much experience
and knowledge of team offense, defense, as well as knowing the habits of the
opposition.

Look at both LA and Indy.  How many players in the first 3 years are getting
any floor time?  Larry was luckily able to be patient with Croshere until he
learned the pro game well enough that now he is contributing.  Do you
remember him playing at all his rookie year?  Our team can't say that.  You
believe it is because of the coach.  I believe it is due to the lack of
maturity that most young teams go through before they make it to the
promised land.  Look at the Blazers and the Knicks.  Again there's that
veteran look where few inexperienced players are depended upon for making
key contributions.  Many people forget that we lost some tough games this
past season on buzzerbeaters and other heartbreaking plays.  Though the
record may not be an indication, we played with some of the best teams in
the league right down to the wire but came up flat against the weaker ones.
People complain about Toine and his conditioning, Kenny and his lack of
assists, Dana because of his stature, VP because of his stonehands, Battie
for his frustrating inconsistency, Fortson for his propensity to foul,
Pervis for being, well, Pervis.  You gotta be patient.

My final comment is regarding this tuned out stuff.  Where do you get this
information?  What makes you think that players tune out Pitino any more
than any other coach?  Or is it based on an assumption?  I just don't buy
that theory.  But if it is true, each player who tunes the coach out, should
be sent packing IMHO.  Pitino puts in as many hours, if not more, than most
coaches around the league.  He and his assistants deserve to be listened to
when making a point, as do any coaches for that matter.

Cecil


----- Original Message -----
From: Jaims <jaims@impactnet.com>
To: Cecil Wright <cecil@hfx.eastlink.ca>; Celtics <celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2000 2:09 AM
Subject: Re: THIS IS WHAT OUR YOUNG TEAM NEEDS!!!


> It's not a matter of coaching stiffs or veterans...that's not my point.
My
> point is that a coach like Bird, a calm but strict and professional style
> always gets more respect and gets more success in terms of motivating his
> charges.  Well, on the other hand, a loud and screamin like freak coach
gets
> tuned out because the player-coach/teacher thing gets stale because of the
> constant yelling which in effect degrades the players abilities and
> instincts to run the team inside the court.
>
> I don't know, man.  Calipari and Carlisimo could have learned  now that
> their style, which is college style(scream at your troops to guide them)
is
> not for the NBA.  Pitino should also know better.
>
> Thanks for the input anyways.
>
> Later dude.
>
> Jaims
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Cecil Wright <cecil@hfx.eastlink.ca>
> To: Jaims <jaims@impactnet.com>; Celtics <celtics@igtc.com>
> Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2000 5:49 PM
> Subject: Re: THIS IS WHAT OUR YOUNG TEAM NEEDS!!!
>
>
> > I'm sure I'll take heat from the usual circles, but don't you think that
> the
> > presence of veterans like Jackson, Miller, Davis, Smits, Best, Mullins,
> > Perkins and McKey warrant a share of the credit too?  I mean I love
Larry
> > and all, but it's not like he's coaching a bunch of stiffs who need the
> > constant reminders of a young, immature squad like the Celts.  I haven't
> > checked, but I'm sure those players alone have far more pro years than
the
> > entire Celtic team plus.
> >
> > If the C's were down 2-0 in any playoff series, I wonder how
understanding
> > we'd all be?  Especially with the opposition without a key weapon.  I
> think
> > it is obvious that Shaq is going to get away with murder in LA though,
> even
> > though they called the cheap flagrant on him.  I saw him go over the
back
> > twice right in front of the ref tonight.  Added to what he got away with
> in
> > game one, and I say good luck Larry and co.
> >
> > Hopefully, things'll change in Indy.
> >
> > Cecil
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Jaims <jaims@impactnet.com>
> > To: Celtics <celtics@igtc.com>
> > Sent: Friday, June 09, 2000 10:05 PM
> > Subject: THIS IS WHAT OUR YOUNG TEAM NEEDS!!!
> >
> >
> > > Bird is a very effective, very unobtrusive leader.
> > > The player who used to be involved in every play has become a coach
who
> > > is hardly involved in any of them. Player Bird was a maximalist; Coach
> > > Bird is a minimalist. His predecessor as Pacers coach, Larry Brown,
> > > hectored and nit-picked in practices and games. Bird is quiet, has
short
> > > meetings, and never chews out his players publicly. He doesn't
criticize
> > > them when they make turnovers or commit fouls, and he doesn't tell
them
> > > how to play. He treats them as professionals, just as he liked his
> > > coaches to treat him.
> > >
> > > These characteristics are opposite Pitino's!!!
> > >
> > > If only we could really kick Gaston and Pitino out....
> > >
> > >
> > > Jaims
> > >
> >
> >
>