Re: Great Celtics analysis from BSG

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

Overall, I though this was a well done piece, but I had a couple of
problems.  Like Mark, I thought BSG undervalued Blount.  With his
combination of size, shot blocking instincts and decent shooting touch it's
absolutely inconceivable that the Celtics don't exercise their option on him
for next year (which is for peanuts).  He's a very intriguing project that
you must try to develop and is a lock to make the team next year.  You take
a $2.6m bath and cut Walter before you decline Blount's option.

Another thing that got me was the contention that Antoine has a problem with
Pierce being the team's big scorer:

"And the biggest negative: Antoine never seemed to accept the fact that he's
playing the Pippen role here to Pierce's MJ. Was it just a coincidence that
Walker struggled in March (22.3 PPG, 39.6% shooting), the very same month
that Pierce made The Leap and captured "Player of the Month" honors? "

Frankly, I thought Antoine played that role to perfection in March, and very
well all season.  He says Antoine struggled that month, but those numbers
are virtually his season averages, and I'd love to see his assist numbers.
I think there's a huge danger when you try to read players' minds by
interpreting their "looks" as BSG does here: "...Antoine -- who had been
open both times -- glanced angrily at the Celtics bench, as if to say, 'When
am I getting mine?'".  And, while I'm on the subject, is there a BSG Celtics
article that doesn't make some reference to where he was sitting when some
event occurred, as if his midcourt season tickets give him some "in" to the
team?  "I was sitting right there at midcourt, watching the whole thing
unfold, incredulous. Ruined the game for me."  Comes off as very
condescending.  Ruins his articles for me.

Jim