Re: Antoine

["Berry, Mark S" <berrym@BATTELLE.ORG>]

It's not that simple Cecil. Defensively, he guards the opposing power
forward. So he's in position for collecting defensive rebounds (which he did
exceptionally well for half of the season). On the offensive end, he's in
position to collect assists (check out his offensive rebounding numbers).
I'm not blind to the fact that it takes a unique collection of skills to
even be ASKED to do both of those things, but being asked to do them and
actually doing them WELL are two different things. 

You're right, he is what he is. But he has become so overrated by some that
it's stunning. He can't shoot, he doesn't get to the line, he doesn't
defend, he doesn't run the floor, he rebounds OK and he stagnates the
offense with his style of play. But hey, he gets those 23 points and 5
assists. He must be an all-star. The guy has gone from being vilified and
underrated to being deified and overrated. Look away from the package-the
size and ball-handling ability-and place it in the context of a team (which
is what it's all about), and Antoine is exposed for what he is. A decent
player who requires that a team be built around him, but one who doesn't
warrant that kind of commitment.

We have to accept it because the braintrust is blind to Antoine's faults.
They draft, trade and develop rotations around Antoine. We're stuck with him
for as long as Wallace and Obie are here.

Mark

P.S. Anyone heard anything about Vitaly? He got a DNP-CD yesterday in a
30-point blowout. Is he injured, or does Obie have something against the
rebounding and hustle VP was providing during the seven-game win streak?


--- --- ---
Cecil wrote:

Then, to be fair Mark, you shouldn't expect an increase in his rebounds if
you are going to judge him by those standards, right?