No Subject

But aside of Paul's miracle, the REAL story of the game was ANTOINE!  I did
not see the game but have come to really enjoy Howard and Max, probably more
than I ever did with Heinsohn and the Cooz.  Maxwell raved about Toine save
for a few quick  heaves late in the 3rd.  But with 33 points on 12/19 from
the field, 6/6 from the line, 12 rebounds and 4 assists, in 41 minutes, I
would hope the questions about his conditioning are answered.

It was his willingness to concede the plaudits to Pierce that have me
thinking he is about ready to turn the corner.  "Paul was outstanding
tonight" Walker said.  "He shows what kind of special player he is..."  All
on a night when it could have been all too easy to talk about his own great
performance, he was content and comfy with, not even discussing himself but
quickly praising his teammate.  Toine has often gone the extra mile to
mention his colleagues but on nights where his performance was as brilliant
as it was last night, normally his line is the lead story.  But I thought he
was very gracious in handling the situation.  It is this area which pleases
me most.

Late in the game, when Detroit made it an 8 point game, Toine stuck a jumper
and a layup to salt it.  This is the kind of leadership we've hoped for from
him, and though it may not happen every night, when it does flow for him
like this, and the Washington game last year I think, he is capable of being
ranked in the All-Star category.

I know some of this will be rebutted but he deserves credit for his
performance as do the rest of the team, particularly Stith, Battie and
Kenny.  The Raptors will certainly be in a foul mood with their 0-2 start
and I am concerned as much with us derailing Davis, Willis and Oakley as
much as Vinsanity.

Go Celts!!

Cecil




----- Original Message -----
From: "stephen beauregard" <sb@lamere.net>
To: <celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2000 12:05 PM
Subject: Last NIght


> Hi Everyone,
>
> I was at the home opener and what a game. Yes, it was against Detroit so
> I would not make plans for late April yet, but it was encouraging
> anyway. Detroit is definitely heading for lotto-land. I was about 15
> rows back of the Celtics bench and although it has hard to say for sure
> because of the baggy uniforms, Twoine looked fit. He played like an
> animal, as did Pierce. I was really hoping for a standing "O" for him
> (especially after the speech he gave), but is was not to be. Pierce was
> a force down low. I don't know how many he scored in the paint, but it
> was impressive. Stith and Brown can't shoot for beans, but Brown's
> hustle was commendable and infectious. As Bill Parcells would say, Moiso
> looked like a ball in the weeds...lost. For opening night, I really
> liked what I saw. The only 2 downers that I came away with were "Out"
> House lighting up Pierce and whoever else was around at will and
> Batgirl. He had one major dunk and then gave back 2 immediately. Other
> than Twoine, I did not see anyone getting, or even going for, rebounds
> (as Barkley predicted earlier in the week). I also would have liked to
> see Herren. He really seems to enjoy being in Boston.
>
> At the end of the game, I was lucky enough to get close enough to Red to
> shake his hand and my friend who went with me snapped a picture. Cossing
> my fingers it comes out. For the people who emailed me about getting a
> poster, I am sorry but unlike last year they did not give out posters
> last night. Instead they gave out opening night T-shirts and it was one
> per person. Sorry.
>