Re: Kenny vs Milt

["j.hironaka" <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

At 18:07 20/08/01 -0400, Alexander Wang wrote:
>I've mentioned this before, but Kenny has a decent year in 99-00. Last 
>year he stunk but injuries were a factor. Obviously he's not Jason Kidd, 
>but it's not exactly fair that he's vilified as a shoot-first, pass-second 
>point guard while most would prefer our "shoot last, but pass even less" 
>third-stringer Milt Palacio.
>
>99-00 Kenny: 7.8 assists/48 mins
>00-01 Kenny: 7.6 assists/48 mins
>00-11 Milt: 6.4 assists/48 mins
>
>Palacio does play better defense and he played more time in the O'Brien 
>version "Antoine as point forward" offense which doesn't give him as many 
>passing opportunities. But my point is that Palacio is hardly a passing 
>point guard, and his own offense is much inferior to Kenny's. The 
>expectations are much lower because he's a CBA type with a small contract 
>as opposed to #2 pick Kenny with the $50M contract.

This post rules...really balanced and reasonable.

I have a comment to add.

First off, I didn't watch the Shaw League, even the ESPN2 game. Some of you 
watched several games and I'll defer to your opinions totally, but, that 
said, I couldn't help being disappointed that Miracle Man couldn't help 
guide his team to a better record against NBA-lite competition.

I felt Miracle Man shot the ball too much in some games. And he finished 
tied for 8th in assists.

That shouldn't have happened given the relative depth of our Shaw entry 
this year. The point guard should have had a field day. The Celtics had 
potentially excellent shooter/scorers camped on every wing and superior 
athletes down low.

There is some indication that Boston had out there 5 of next year's 
eventual 8-man rotation (or 9 if Kenny is healthy). That, of course, is not 
even counting Eurotrash Boy and El Amin, both of whom will be on an NBA 
roster next year.

By contrast, most opposing teams had Mo'easy calibre NBA "veterans" out 
there. We're talking Dion Glover and Michael Redd getting All Star 
recognition. I think the NJ Nets did a heck of a job to go 5-1 and win the 
tournament, because they were starting some guys that probably won't last a 
week into training camp. I'm not kidding.

Taking that into account, I have to say that Milt better have outstanding 
upside as a defender (say Bruce Bowen-lite) to justify his starting role. 
In fact, there are a number of mediocre, backup point guards on good teams 
that fulfill that specific role these days (defense). It will be useful to 
be able to throw the opposing point guard off his game, or at least wear 
him down.

In any case the very second that camp opens, I want Milt to stop looking 
for his shot and let his strengths (if any) define his role. Similarly, I 
hope Kenny Anderson will come to camp thinking about one stat only, how to 
get as close to 10 assists per game on as consistent basis as possible. 
That's his only possible ticket back to stardom and respect. Tiny Archibald 
figured that out in his 30s, and he was at least as much in the crapper as 
Kenny is now. It is impossible for defenses to detach the ball from Kenny 
when he's dribbling. He should be able to set up a lot of scoring 
opportunities for Celtics running off screens or in the paint. If Tiny 
could co-exist with a point forward, then Kenny should be able to thrive 
off of Antoine and Joe Johnson as well.

But he has to first demonstrate to the whole team that he is thinking pass 
first....or else he deserves to be a hand off the ball to Toine and go 
spot-up somewhere type of player. If he's thinking selfishly, then he'll 
just be wasting the shot clock with his dribbling, and the coaches will 
rightfully take the ball back out of his hands on offense.

Joe

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