Re: First Ex. Game Thoughts

["Jim Meninno" <Jim_Meninno@hotmail.com>]

----- Original Message ----- From: bird <birdw@aloha.net>

> Joe wrote:
> >This game reminds me of the 1997-98 preseason
> >and early season, when we couldn't do anything right in the new system
> >and with limited personnel.
>
> Exactly.  I'm thinking this season will look a lot like Pitino's
> first year, too, although I hope we get a better record near the end
> of the season, maybe even pushing us into the playoffs (heaven
> forfend).

I think you guys are right to compare this performance to that of the team
in Pitino's first year.  That seems to be exactly what Pitino is going for;
To re-create the feeling of that team with this one, which is far more
talented.  I think it's going to be a harder motivational job than it was
that first year.  That year everything was new.  New players were being
brought in to play this new system, and everybody was enthusiastic.  The
team is more settled now, with guys who have been here for a couple years,
mostly.  That will be a plus, in a lot of ways, but I think it could make it
difficult to get back that same crazy, intense attitude.  And, even if they
do get that back, it's hard to say how successful it will be.  Joe's comment
prompted me to look back at that year.  The Celtics lost 7 of 8 pre-season
games, and 5 of their first 6 regular season games.  They somehow managed to
win 15 of their next 24, to stand at 16 and 14 on January 3rd.  On the one
hand, it is amazing to think that team could put together a stretch like
that.  It was Walker and a cast of rookies and scrubs.  That was it.  On the
other hand, you sort of get the feeling that this team would have to
similarly over-achieve to better their record.

With regards to last night's game, it was a mess.  I forgot just how bad
this team can look when they're playing poorly.  I'm glad we're not getting
flooded with a ton of comments about how bad this guy, or that guy looked,
because you just can't evaluate an individual player's performance in a game
like that.  They all sucked.   One thing I noticed was that Walker seemed to
be looking for Vitaly early in both halves, and V wasn't hitting shots he
normally would.  Other than that, it was pure chaos.  I'll agree that Blount
showed enough to convince me that he's an upgrade over the 12th man, third
string centers they've been carrying.  I'm not sure what else you could
learn from that game.

Jim