RE: Yes Paul, but...

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

I try really hard not to make this about Antoine vs. Paul...Pierce shoots
better from the field and 3-point range and, most importantly, doesn't
settle for the quick 3-pointer as much as Toine (although he does settle too
much). Check out free throw attempts. Huge difference, and that's so
important. Pierce also is a great rebounder for his size and position (often
2-guard), averaging about 7 per game. He's not the ball-handler or passer
Antoine is, no question. But Antoine's ball-handling and passing isn't all
that valuable when he spends most of his time drifting at the 3-point line
waiting for a pass.

I'm not saying Antoine is a bad player or the team would be better off
without him. But the only thing keeping him from being great is his own
judgment. Don't settle... attack the basket... post up... then use the
3-pointer as a weapon playing off the rest of your game. There's no way our
best big guy, best rebounder, best offensive rebounder and best passer
should be shattering the NBA record for 3-point attempts by some 200 heaves.
No way.

Mark



 -----Original Message-----
From: 	I am . . . Anonymous [mailto:ktoreed@yahoo.com] 
Sent:	Thursday, December 20, 2001 5:30 PM
To:	Berry, Mark  S; 'celtics@igtc.com'
Subject:	Re: Yes Paul, but...

Mark, I suggest you purchase NBA LIVE 2001 by EA
Sports.  That way, you can regulate every little thing
in Toine's game so it's just the way you like it.  

0 for 11 is rather pathetic, but Coach gives his
blessing.  Also, Pierce shoots a mere 3% higher than
Antoine, doesn't rebound nearly as much or pass as
well, yet remains unscathed from your criticism. 
Antoine isn't going to get a triple double every
night.  If he could, then he'd be the greatest in the
NBA, ever.

--- "Berry, Mark  S" <berrym@BATTELLE.ORG> wrote:
> I'd consider Antoine a lot more dangerous if he hit
> closer to half his shots
> rather than a third. When he plays the way he's
> capable, he's devastating.
> When he plays the way he does most of the time, he's
> good. Not great, but
> good. I'm tough on Toine because the only thing
> keeping him from being great
> is himself. 
> 
> I realize he was playing smaller guys in the
> Washington and Cleveland games,
> but look at the Philly game. When the Celts made
> their brief spurt, Pierce
> hit three quick 3-pointers and Antoine went around
> Coleman a couple of times
> like DC was standing still and got layups. But that
> was it. A couple of
> times. Meanwhile he was 0-for-11 from 3-point range.
> He settles for those
> shots. It's hard work to repeatedly beat a man off
> the dribble and attack
> the basket, but if he's playing a bigger man, that's
> what he needs to do.
> Score or get fouled. But don't relegate yourself to
> Dennis Scott-type play.
> He can be so much better than that. He just has to
> want it. Occasional,
> well-timed three-pointers should be an important
> part of his offensive
> attack, but not 10 a game. You're just wasting his
> passing, offensive
> rebounding, ball-handling and improved free throw
> shooting when you do that.
> 
> Mark 
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