RE: Antoine's best game--ever

["Hastings, David" <David.Hastings@BellSouth.com>]

I have to agree, with last night being the first Celts game I have seen for the year, I was expecting to see Antione the Anti-Christ was that we had been hearing about for the last couple of days.  Instead I saw an incredible game by Antione over all my thoughts on the game were.

Antione = As near a perfect game as you could get.
Pierce = Couldn't miss in the first half, couldn't buy a basket in the second.  Was forcing it a little too much at the end, but made up for it by some huge defensive plays.
Johnson = Basically the opposite of Pierce shooting wise.  Started out horrible, finished well.  From what I've seen of him, we made a good selection in the draft.
Kenny = Shot well in the second half, and hit the shots we needed him to hit.  Played reasonable defense.
Battie = Grabbed some big boards when things got close at the end, but otherwise was quiet.
Palacio = Shot a few bricks, then hit some shots, then shot a few more bricks.
Strickland = I can see why the C's signed him.  He gives them someone who can come off the bench and score, not too bad on defense either.
Blount = He was taller than anyone else on the court. 

Here's hoping the C's can learn to play every game like last nights.

Cheers

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Berry, Mark S [mailto:berrym@BATTELLE.ORG]
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2001 8:39 AM
To: 'celtics@igtc.com'; 'celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: Antoine's best game--ever


Last night was the best game I've ever seen Antoine play and there isn't
even a close second. He's scored more points, grabbed more rebounds and had
more assists, but never has he controlled a game like he did last night.
This is what we've been begging for, and why he's so frustrating. He's
capable of this, but he stops himself. It's all up to Antoine, and all too
often he is his own worst enemy.

If he played like this consistently, you'd never hear another Antoine
diatribe from me. He was spectacular. It's that simple. I'm hoping,
sincerely, that he continues to play this way, but I don't expect it. We've
seen flashes before, and they've never lasted. I hope he proves me wrong,
because last night was a thing of beauty. What a performance.

All the things we've been screaming for-fewer shots, better shot selection,
fewer three-pointers, getting to the line, trusting his teammates-they all
were there. It's amazing how all the "stiffs" around him can look
respectable when Antoine is creating open, easy opportunities for them. He's
capable of doing that-making his teammates better. He proved it last night.
Now if he can only do it consistently...

It was a great, great performance. No qualifiers, no nitpicking. Just great.

Mark