RE: Detroit game

[bird <birdw@aloha.net>]

>From: "LadyNada" <ladynada@mediaone.net>
>
>Name me one thing Vitaly can do well? [...]
>
>My bottom line on Vitaly is this:  he now hurts the team more than he helps
>the team.

You seem to have gone from V's biggest supporter to one of his worst 
critics (which you, of course, are entitled to do) in short space of 
time.  I don't quite understand.  He looks more or less the same as 
last year -- same sorts of dificiencies, same sort of strengths. 
What's changed?

Maybe we need his bulk a little less with the center-less Eastern 
teams, but I wouldn't say he hurts the team now, anymore than any 
other player.  They all have things they need to work on, and so does 
V.  You detailed a lot of his weaknesses pretty well, but I don't see 
how you can say that he doesn't do one thing well.

He's got a nice top of the key range jumper.  He sets a good pick. 
He's a hard worker (this might be the key to his improvement).

Battie sure outplayed him in the first game, but we've all seen 
Battie shine for 1-2 game stretches.  If Tony strings together a good 
quarter of a season, _that'll_ be some news.  Meanwhile, V is one of 
our "centers by committee": three guys who have yet to show that they 
deserve the bulk of the minutes at the position.  They all have 
strengths, and they certainly all have weaknesses.    I'm pretty sure 
we'll see a stretch in the upcoming year where V will outplay Battie. 
Will you jump back on the VP bandwagon then?

Regards,

Bill