Re: [...] Ye olde dark cloud.

[bird <birdwl@earthlink.net>]

> From: JB <JBMetzEA@AOL.com>
>
> To reiterate the issue with Antoine initiating the offense, from that
> wing position; it seems to me that the options are very limited. Either he
> passes in to the post, to a double teamed Pierce, passes into the corner 
> to
> Eric Williams, who fires a three, takes the three himself, forces his way
> into the paint to lob up a runner, or continues his drive to the hoop, 
> where
> he has to fight his way through the waiting defense, usually to be 
> swallowed
> or swatted. This does not utilize the center or the player (the point 
> guard,
> usually) setting up on the other side. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if the
> defense knows you are only going to use three players and attack from the
> same side of the court every play, it makes it a lot easier to defend.

Well, you're not going to get me to admit that the C's offense is anything 
more than predictable, anemic, and ineffective.  We pass off to the center 
at the top of the key, for pete's sake, and the guy isn't named Walton or 
Jabbar.  Just because Walker's making that first pass doesn't necessarily 
make it the reason the offense is that way.  We don't swing the ball 
enough, for one thing.  Look, maybe having Walker feed off a distributor 
isn't such a bad idea -- but you want to put Kenny Anderson in charge of 
this?  You've got bigger cojones than I do if that's the case, JB.  Maybe 
it would just as effective (or even more so) to have 4 or 5 guys out on 
the court, all of whom pass well, and look for the open man and maybe, 
just maybe _move without the ball_ in order to get open, as it would to 
have the great point guard talent that is Khalid El-Amin, or the wonder 
that is Jacques Vaughn on the team.

>            1. (Why do I love lists so much?)When you empty the bench and
> have time for Salvadori, you should have time for everyone who comes to
> practice. It's just good for morale.

What is this, basketball Little League, where everybody gets to play?  I 
like Herren, but if he can't realize his role on the team (12th man, point 
guard insurance), then he ought to leave.  Again, JB, Salvadori plays a 
different position, and if you think he would have gotten any time at all 
if Walker hadn't fouled out, you're mistaken.

>             2. We brought him in because Brown is hurt and Anderson has a
> history of injury that rivals Evil Kneivel. Don't you think it would be 
> wise
> to get him into the flow a bit? Introduce him to his new teammates in game
> situations?

Not really.  We've got more important things to worry about.  We wanted to 
try to win these games, not bring along a 12th man pg who played here last 
year (and started many games, to boot).  We know what he can do.  I wanted 
to see how Joe Forte would handle the point.  Herren's role is to play in 
practice.

>              3. If we are going to keep him, wouldn't you like to see how 
> he
> is playing this season? If we are not going to keep him, lets look at
> someone else.

If the team got someone else to fill the same role as Herren, what makes 
you think _he'd_ play either?

>                I think you have ostrich syndrome on this one Bill. There'
> s
> something amiss here. I may not have the answer, but there has to be some
> unpublicized reason why Herren can't get off the bench.

I've got my head in the sand because I don't see bogey men hiding around 
the corner?  I plead guilty.  There doesn't need to be any big mystery 
surrounding why the guy isn't getting PT.

Regards,

(The Celtic "Tird")