Re: Walker Did Pitino In says Bulpett

["R. Bentz Kirby" <bocelts@usit.net>]

I think that from here on down, the article by Bulpett makes the point that
I was trying to make.  Someone on the team needs to learn how to win and to
stop playing so selfishly.  I believe Walker is the biggest problem.  This
seems to underline what I was thinking.  But, how do you get someone with an
ego like this to stop and look outside of himself.  Either it is impossible,
or that is what has made Phil Jackson a great coach.

> It is one thing to cater to a star, but in this case Pitino hurt himself
> with the other players because Walker wasn't taking the company cue when
> games were on the line in the fourth quarter.
>
> According to one player, things may have crystallized early in the last
> quarter of Friday night's loss to Golden State when then-assistant coach
> Jim O'Brien glanced to a seated Walker and said, ``Why do you look so
> upset? We're going to win this game.''
>
> Walker reportedly replied, ``When am I going to get some touches?''
>
> It was evident to the coaches even before then that players were unhappy
> with being pulled from games for transgressions Walker performed
> regularly and that it was all having a negative effect on the group. And
> in the last two weeks, the problem grew. It is not that the club
> dislikes Walker; it's more a matter that it needs him to be on the same
> page.
>
> But in his fifth NBA season, Walker has let his demons drive him. His
> drives into crowds could be interpreted simply as manifestations of his
> competitiveness, but many see it differently.
>
> One prominent NBA coach said this week, ``Antoine should have `Eastern
> Conference All-Stars' on the front of his jersey instead of Celtics. Not
> that he's going to make the All-Stars, but that's what he's playing
> for.''
>
> And last year Tim Hardaway said he truly wants his Chicago friend to
> succeed but that it won't happen until he stops being a derriere on the
> court.
>
> They are pointed analyses, to be sure, but the fact is no one would be
> criticizing Walker if he wasn't capable of greater things. Walker is
> better than his present station, but he needs to face certain realities.
> It's believable when he says he wants to win. He just has to learn how.
>
> ``You can never suit everybody,'' he said last week when asked about
> shooting just 41 percent from the floor for the season. ``If we were
> 20-12 instead of 12-20, it'd be fine. I could shoot 41 percent and it
> wouldn't be a problem. Everybody's going to voice their opinion, but I
> have to do what's best for myself. I know what I'm capable of doing. I
> know what I like to do. I know what my strengths and weaknesses are more
> than anybody.''
>
> His next coach may think otherwise.

--
R. Bentz Kirby
bocelts@usit.net
http://www.public.usit.net/bocelts
http://www.egroups.com/group/Christianlit
http://www.egroups.com/group/voodoochile