Toine

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

As I said the other night, I was once again impressed with the display
that Toine put on the other night.  However, he can not, or will not,
bring that game every night.  And when he doesn't, well, the results
speak for themselves.  But, this part of the article at ESPN puts the
whole picture together.  Especially if it is true.

"He said he would meet with owner Paul Gaston in mid-January,
but the meeting never took place. On Jan. 5, as the Celtics
struggled at home against the Warriors in a game he'd declared
a must win, Pitino sent assistant coach Jim O'Brien down the
bench to find out why Walker was pouting. "You don't even
want to know," O'Brien told him. "Antoine says he's not getting
enough touches." Pitino made up his mind right there that he
would quit.

Clearly, as some on the list pointed out, Pitino had "lost" the
players.  But, if that is the major concern of your players, then you
can not have a team.

I read an article at ESPN last night about why the Sonics should trade
Payton.  The bottom line, he would "freeze" out any teammates who had
better games than he did.  So, if you had a 30 point night, then you
weren't getting the ball the next night.  The "fight" with Patterson the
other night was because Patterson was on fire during the first half.
The second half, Payton was freezing him out.  On one play a teammate
called time out because they could not get a play off because of their
argument over Patterson not getting the ball.

If Walker's attitude is accurately reflected in these comments, and if
he is going to show up every year out of shape, and if he is not going
to put team first, then regardless of his talent, he should be traded.

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