Lately

["Cecil Wright" <cecil@hfx.eastlink.ca>]

I was unable to see or listen to the C's-Bucks game but have read most of
the comments about it.  I just want to say that though I am thrilled we won,
I would be cautious to leap to any grand conclusion based on it.  From what
I've gleaned, Toine and Paul both came up big in the 4th quarter especially.
That is a sign of courage and maturity.  Having the courage to take the big
shots knowing that the critics will be out en masse should they miss, is not
an easy thing for these guys.  But they have trudged on in spite of some
humiliating response from the hometown fans.

Toine has had a history of taking those shots and the heat at the same time.
I think sometimes, his demeanor has made it appear that he is indifferent or
unconcerned about the flack which his wiggle (which he unveiled again
recently) or shot selection has generated.

Pierce has risen to the same plateau.  And as long as he is getting results,
all is well.  I hope he can continue to play at this level, but shooting
5/22 from the field is not something which the boobirds will accept many
times.  To me, as long as we win, I don't care how we win.  And he obviously
came up big from the line, which you all know has been one of my bugaboos
all season.

I do want to say this though and please try not to misinterpret it.
Milwaukee was playing on the away end of back to back games after having a
big win over Sacramento the previous night.  Now, I am not downplaying the
significance of a win over a fine offensive team like the Bucks.  Just that
we know what effect the b2bs have had on our guys.  It's tough to win that
2nd game.

Also, for those who don't apply much respect to triple doubles, Olympian,
Ray Allen, had the first one of his career in this game, which I think can
shed some light on the skills of Antoine Walker.

Let's use the all-star break to rest, come back renewed and reinvigorated.
We better be ready because this next 10 game stretch may very well tell the
tale as it include 2 b2bs on the road:

2/13 - @Vancouver
2/15 - @Seattle
2/17 - @Portand
2/19 - @Utah
2/20 - @Houston
2/22 - @Dallas
2/23 - @San Antonio
2/26 - vs Seattle
3/1  - @NY
3/2  - vs Utah

We have a total of 33 remaining games with only 13 of them at home, but hey,
we knew that once the schedule was released.  What we didn't know at the
time was that
Indiana, our chief competition for that last spot, has an easier schedule
the rest of the way, as they play 19 of their 34 games at home.

Both teams have 6 b2bs remaining with one of those being a potentially huge
game at the Fleet vs Indy on March 30.  The preceding evening, we visit the
Bulls while Indy are at Atlanta.

Indy concludes the regular season in Cleveland, immediately after hosting
the Sixers.

Cecil