The second season.

[JB <james.metz@verizon.net>]

   What a revelation. O'Brien has the team in playoff mode, working on
plays, while much of our  opposition (at least in the first round), will
still be fighting for position.
   The draft, the trade; I don't care, at this point. Rodney Rogers and Tony
Delk are on our team now and they will give us more, this playoff run, than
Joe Johson, or Tinsley, or whoever. They have been to the playoffs and they
are poised, professional players. I know we may have mortgaged some of the
future, but "the future is now," dammit.
    Before that trade, we were thin, weak and falling apart from fatigue and
minor injuries. We now have decent depth and we can go into the playoffs
rested, healthy and prepared (I hope).
   Making the playoffs is so important to me, imagine what it means to our
players. It could even mean a second tier free agent, who can expect some
low ball bids, will take a little less money to play here, than another
team, who is still rebuilding.
   All of the talk about Walker and his shot selection and decreasing
rebound numbers is true. So are the counter arguments about his will to win
and increasing tendencies to be a team player. I'll bet "dollars to
doughnuts," he takes these playoffs seriously and gives up the rock and
pounds the boards. If he does those things and gets a few calls down low
(more than anything else, this lack of referees respect, has shaped his
game), and gets to the line a few times, he, not Pierce, could wind up as
our most valuable player.
   I've watched a lot of Walker. I remember covering my face, when he went
to the foul line and the incessant booing, as he seemed to disrespect the
game, by not even concentrating as he bricked one after the other. Who would
you rather see at the line, down the stretch, in a close game, now? Not
Pierce. Not Anderson. Both have showed lack of ability to close out games
from the line. Not anyone, for my money.
   I'm with ya "Twan." Now, get after it!
       
    JB

Link to current standings:
http://archive.sportserver.com/newsroom/sports/bkb/1995/nba/nba/stat/2000-01
confstands_lo.html



                Unchain My Heart !