RE: [Celtic_Pride] C's-Griz

["Berry, Mark S" <berrym@BATTELLE.ORG>]

Cecil, I love your optimism. Not many of us could find a positive in a
double-digit home loss to the Grizzlies, who had lost seven in a row.

Personally, I can't believe how discouraged I am with this team and its
direction. This is the first time I remember feeling like we're playing out
the string a month into the season. Pitino is leaving, and he seems
determined to avoid any drastic roster overhaul so the next guy can make his
own decisions. The result is a lost season, and a lost opportunity to make
any midseason deals that might help for the future.

Pierce and Walker are in it for themselves at this point. Even during his
41-point game Friday, I was screaming at Pierce to pass the damn ball.
Pitino talks all the time about reversing the ball, and yet Pierce looks for
his shot against two or three defenders all the time. Friday, he made a lot
of tough shots. He doesn't usually--no one makes a high percentage against
double or triple teams. With Pierce and Walker, it's just a question of who
touches it first... that's who will shoot it. It's awful basketball. Just
awful.

As a contrast Sunday, I flipped back and forth between the Grizz game and
Bird's 60-pointer against the Hawks in 85. He scored 60, but not until he
reached the 50-point mark did it look like he was forcing shots (and then he
did it with the help of the team). Atlanta wanted to double him, but he put
up the shot so quickly, the double didn't have time to get there. None of
this facing-up, dribble-dribble-dribble, spin, double pump and shoot stuff
for Bird. I know it's unfair to compare anyone to Larry, but is it that
tough to realize that if you really want to score when you're being double
teamed, shoot the ball before the extra defender gets there? Do you have to
be a basketball genius to figure that out?

Anyway, I'm one discouraged Celtics fan.

Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: Cecil Wright [mailto:cecil@hfx.eastlink.ca]
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 4:20 PM
To: Boston Celtics; Celt's
Subject: [Celtic_Pride] C's-Griz


Had an opportunity to see the game yesterday and though I am unhappy that we
lost, I liked something that I saw.

With the score 86-74 for the Griz with 6:40 remaining, we went into the
headless chicken defense as some call it.  It led to:

2 free throws,  Overton: 86-76
Bad pass turnover = layup Pierce: 86-78
Loose ball foul, Othella = 2 free throws, Williams: 86-80
Steal, Williams = Dunk, Battie, nice assist Toine: 86-82
Steal, Pierce = layup, Pierce: 86-84 with 4:27 remaining

Then came the quickest 3 second call in history on Pierce who was trying to
post up Edwards in the key.  I have watched it over 10 times and cannot
believe the refs, not only didn't whistle Edwards for holding Pierce, but
called such a quick violation after witnessing other players throughout the
league pitching a tent in the lane on a regular basis.

The Griz didn't score until Grant Long hit a jumper from the top of the
circle with 3:20 remaining.  So not only did we hold them off the scoreboard
for exactly 3:20, but we ran off 10 consecutive points in a defense
Vancouver had to have expected.

Yes we went on to lose the game but that particular defense met with some
success and it should be noted.  Shareef had a great game and Bibby must
love playing in Boston, but Long saved their bacon thanks to his new-found
success with the jumper.  Then we ran outta gas at the end.  Overton made
some costly turnovers but I would wager this was his first time having to
play 42 minutes.

Is Randy returning for the Cleveland game?

Cecil


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