Aberation II: The Sequel. Palacio pees his pants, Heisohn has orgasm.

[JB <jbmetzea@yahoo.com>]

   Who'da thunk it? On a day when Pierce and Walker shot 8-36, we win going
away in Toronto? 
   The first eight minutes were as good a performance by the TEAM, as any
I've seen for a long time. They let Anderson create and he found Joe
Johnson, Battie, Vitaly, Eric Williams; the whole gang and when they
collapsed, he made them pay, with deadly accuracy, with his 12-15 foot
jumper. We even saw Kedrick Brown for about five minutes guarding Carter,
when Pierce went out. Kenny hit him in the lane for a lay up and he blocked
a Carter jumper. He looked fine with the ball, as well. Eric Williams kept
going to the hole, when we needed a sure two and got fouled continuously.
Anderson also picked his spots well, to break Toronto runs, going in for the
drive, or the drive and dish.
   Defense and rebounding were also key throughout. Vitaly and Tony, with a
big lift from Johnson while he played, dominated the boards. Everyone
hustled and fought. Potapeno, Strickland and Pierce were all over the place.
   Pierce never got untracked. He sat much of the first half with two early
fouls and when he did get the ball, he was blanketed by Carter on the
perimeter and doubled, if he even turned his head to the basket. Lenny
Wilkins was not going to let Pierce beat them.
   Walker was ugly. The skunk at the garden party of team play, just firing
threes, whenever he could coax the ball from Anderson, or get the automatic
handoff from Palacio, until coach wisely sat him near the end of the third,
when not coincidentally, we ran off a 12-2 run, to take the lead from 5 to
15 and seal the outcome.
   While Walker was on the bench, Palacio came in for Anderson and when he
got over half court and there was no Antoine to pass to, he almost peed his
pants. He had absolutely no clue what to do with the ball, on so many
possessions, it should shine like a beacon of light, to anyone doubting the
importance of another point guard. I'd rather see Joe Forte, any day. In
fact, if Randy Brown is ready, he would be a major improvement over Milt,
backing up Kenny. 
   Heinsohn had his moment of ecstasy when Antoine returned to the game
after a few minutes into the fourth. Not only did Walker head for the paint
and make a nice tip in and keep a few rebounds alive, he actually used a
head and shoulders fake, that had two Raptors heading for the ceiling and
got Walker to the line. Tommy has been harping on this for years. His
theory; that Walker belongs down low, has great hands and if he would use
the head fake, would regain his effectiveness as a low post scorer.
   This is a game I watched with great trepidation. I was sure we would
figure out a way to lose, even with a fifteen point lead and four minutes
left. A great win and a truly amazing road trip. A milestone for this
franchise. 
   A week ago, I was sure that Jimmy O'Brien had nothing to give here. That
the inmates were running the asylum and that we would just fire threes and
walk the floor until O'Brien was fired, Walker was traded and some marine
sargent coach came in, to bring some discipline.
   Hats off  to Jimmy.
                 

              JB
                   
     
                   

                           Unchain My Heart!