Re: Not the players

[Jim Hill <jahill@leasingservice.com>]

This was a pretty good effort by the players last night.  No one player lost
this game.  It was a typical combination of poor choices, lack of sustained
effort and lack of movement along with some really poor coaching when it
counted.  The coaching at crunch time was terrible.

While I am very down about the failure of Battie this year, why wasn't he on
the floor defensively at the end?  Why wasn't Carter double teamed?  Was
Pitino unaware that the Raptors were going to inbound to Carter with 3 sec.
left in the game?  So he put a shorter, CBA player to guard him?

I for one don't count last year in the three year playoff statement by
Pitino, but this was the second game in a row where he was simply out
coached.

But let's also look to see what he has to work with:

Walker hasn't been in playing shape at the beginning of the season for
two-three years.  There is no question this has caused us to lose games
early on.  I think it is still creating problems for this team.  Even the
announcers are laughing when he has somewhat dunked in the last two games.
Let's not even bring up how it causes him to try to force "his" shot instead
of reading the defense and making the appropriate offensive move based on
what's available.  His failure to improve as a player is based on his lack
of effort in conditioning.  His FT improvement shows he can do it if he
wants to.  He is the only one who can change this.

Pierce physically looked like a boy next to Carter last night.  He is tiring
out at the end of games and as many have stated he appears timid at times.
This could also explain his unwillingness to drive to the hoop. This guy
needs needs to get in the weight room.  The lack of improvement this year
falls squarely on his shoulders. He is the only one who can change this.

VP has and continues to show improvement.  I don't know how much room, skill
wise, he has left to improve.  I am confident he will continue to try to
improve though.

Battie, What can be said?  Now that he's a star (his words) he apparently is
content sitting next to Purvis.  Many on the list felt we HAD to sign him
and Pitino did.  Next year will be telling.

Griffin has done more then expected.  Who else can that be said about except
maybe VP?

Anderson has played pretty well this year.  I'm not sure any other PG in the
league could have done any better with this team.  There is little to no
movement on offense.  This is either the players or the coach.  I'm not sure
it is the PG.   At least this year he appears upset about losing.

Walter,  I still don't see how they paid this guy $2.5 million.  I think he
is a long term 8-9-10 player in this league because of height and speed but
needs to work on a post game as he should be able to post up most back up
3's in this league.

Barros, I still like this guy.  At least he is in shape and seems to work
hard all the time.  I think the death of his Grandmother has affected him in
way's many of us can't imagine.  Pitino didn't pay him $3.5 million.  No one
on this list would give back any of the money either.  Can't be held against
Pitino.

Purvis was given a shot by Pitino but has proved it wasn't worth it.  This
guy should be listed as one of the all time busts in league history.  He
should have retired at the beginning of the year and taken a "coaching job"
(wink, wink) with the Celt's to help the team.  I wouldn't let him in the
Fleet Center as a paying guest after his contract expires.  Again Pitino
didn't do anything but try to make this guy a contributor.  Can't be held
against Pitino.

Williams has to improve.  He could be a help off the bench if used
correctly.  Just overpaid.  The draft choice will even out his salary as
rookies are underpaid, relatively.  I thought he would be the starting 3
this year.  If I'm disappointed, what is Pitino?

Fortson, If he is considered not very bright what does it make the rest of
these guys.  Has some decent moves around the hoop but needs to get up and
stick the ball in.  Has very good hands.  Jury is still out on this guy in
my opinion.  Don't know where he fits with this team just yet.

Overton is serviceable but we could do better.  Maybe more minutes would
help him.  But too big a drop off right now.  Not a "bad" pick up by Pitino.

Now if I look at this line up I say "OK there is some young talent".  But
the underlying theme is these guys are not in top shape and there Captain is
coddled by the coach.  Yes, they need a tough "veteran" like an Oakly, but
mostly to take the out of shape party boys out behind the woodshed and
threaten to kick their respective a** if they don't start working out like
professionals, moving on offense, passing the ball when they should and
taking a charge instead of allowing a layup.  They need someone with some
b*ll's.  Pitino can't control them like in college.  They refuse to act like
professionals.  (Well maybe they act like today's professionals-but that is
the problem)

I think that we as a group "do not" overrate the talent on this team.  I
think we overrate the commitment BY this team.  If all these guys came into
camp in Karl Malone, Marbury, Eddie Jones, Garnett, Kobe, Carter etc...
shape then we would have a competitive team.  Maybe not a championship team
but a team that would be only a couple players away.

We could get those players with the new CBA rules.  Guy's who can only play
10-12-15 min. a game because of age will be a dime a dozen in a couple
years.  There will be some scorer's who will pick the team that is
competitive if their only options money wise are the same.

Could Pitino coach a committed team?  That is good question.  Can he make
these guy's committed?  So far no.  But they are "only" twenty something and
being paid millions to be committed but aren't working like it.  Regardless
of what Pitino say's to the press.

That is the choice.  If you believe that these current guy's will take on
the responsibility of being committed professional basketball players, keep
them and teach them.  If you don't believe that they will ever take on the
responsibility of commitment then you have to get rid of those who won't.

There isn't a basketball team in the league who will win without a
commitment to conditioning and professionalism.

It is BOTH the players and the coach who are at fault.

I question Pitino's ability to coach "these" players.  I question his
current ability to coach in the pro's.  I am convinced that these players
don't have a commitment to win.  Everything they say is lip service.  Who is
at fault, foremost it is the players because of the lack of commitment to
conditioning and winning.  Equally perhaps is the coach if he is not using
the players properly.  However he can't use them properly if they aren't
doing what they are supposed to do.


I will wait until next year before calling for Pitino to be fired and/or
blowing up this team.  The first day of training camp will tell me all I
need to know about these players.

I wish it was as easy to see if Pitino has progressed at that point as well.
I don't think that there is any question he will be here through next year
however.

Looking forward to next year.  <Jim