Re: Antoine

["Cecil Wright" <cecil@hfx.eastlink.ca>]

I have seen this team do enough switching defensively that I would argue the
statement that he always guards the opposition's power forward.  He may
start off with that assignment, however, he often ends up, as do the rest of
the players in Harter's defensive rotation, guarding the player closest to
him after screens.  I am not blind to the fact that he stands to improve in
a few areas but I think he brings alot of versatility to the team which is
well recognized.  Having said that, he would be inhuman if he wasn't wearing
down somewhat at this point but you won't hear any excuses from anyone about
that.

IMHO, it is fruitless to continue to bemoan the weaknesses of Antoine
Walker, though I suspect it will continue regardless of what he does.

Cecil




----- Original Message -----
From: "Berry, Mark S" <berrym@BATTELLE.ORG>
To: <cecil@hfx.eastlink.ca>; <celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2002 11:07 AM
Subject: Re: Antoine


> 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?