RE: Big Win!!

["Wright, Cecil" <Cecil.Wright@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

-----Original Message-----
From: JB [mailto:jimmetz@mac.com]
Sent: December 03, 2002 4:40 PM
Cc: Celtics@igtc.com
Subject: Re: Big Win!!


On Tuesday, December 3, 2002, at 09:24  AM, Wright, Cecil wrote:

> Can we finally put this "we miss Kenny Anderson" stuff to bed now?  
> Shammond
> is a tiger on the boards!!  He hits the open jumper and his free 
> throws.
> Delk is a dangerous outside shooter.  Neither one of them will make the
> All-Defensive team, but they are not that weak by any stretch of the
> imagination, especially in this system.
>
> While PP may be in a "funk" this team is winning, which to most Celtic 
> fans,
> is the bottom line.  And his overall game has improved IMHO.  No?
> 	Cecil

**************************
	Yes, Paul's passing has greatly  improved and his focus on
rebounding 
has been a real boon to a team, without a power forward, but his 
shooting (esp. threes)and defense have regressed. Actually, his defense 
hasn't "regressed," he's just not attacking his man consistently. 	I'm 
not sure whether I would say his "overall game" has improved, but I 
love his fire and will to win and have to be impressed, that while his 
shooting has been woeful; on most nights, he is doing other things to 
help the team win.

* I guess what I meant by his overall game is his ability to pass out of the
doubleteam is better than it was last year.  He is looking for his teammates
more than before and I think that has made him, and will make him, a better
player overall.  As you have mentioned, he has been rebounding extremely
well thus far which has given a team who were outrebounded by a wide margin
last year a better chance at a victory.

	As far as missing Kenny, you bet. He shouldn't have to play big 
minutes. 20 a game would be fine with me.

* JB, do you believe in your heart that Kenny Anderson would have been happy
with 20 minutes per game on this team?  I don't.  He has said he wants a
chance to play regular minutes at this stage of his career.

	No offense to Delk/S. Williams. Who says that they  wouldn't be a 
great, three guard combo? When our "point guards," complete their first 
fast break, ask me again.

* Amazing how we beat two strong conference foes without the ability to push
the basketball.  Perhaps this whole fast break mantra is overrated, no?  You
guys wait for the break, I'll take the wins and smile.

	I will also  contend that Anderson's presence would help Vin Baker. 
How are you going to develop a post game without a point guard?

* He has gotten the ball tons of times in position to do something with it.
Certainly, you cannot possibly point a finger at Delk/SWill when most of the
time it is Toine or Paul feeding him.

	Antoine, out erstwhile point guard, doesn't like to run and his
assist 
numbers for the last four games are 4,5,4,4.
	If we had Kenny (or another "pure" point guard), the offense would
be 
smoother, the shooting % higher and Antoine, on the blocks, could help 
with  our rebounding problems.

* There are other things to consider in a point guard other than running and
assists.  Defensively, though I am not sure what the statistics would show,
both our current guys play better D than does Kenny IMHO.  They are better
rebounders, which this team needs, and better at avoiding screens.  We don't
even need to mention that they're quality shooters do we?  In Obie's
gameplanning, those abilities are coveted as much, and apparently more, than
what Kenny offers. 
 
	We went a long way in the playoffs last season, on our defense and 
outside shooting. Until proven wrong, I'll contend that we won't go any 
farther without some fast break baskets and an inside game.

* We'll see!  Shammond never got to run a break while sitting the bench in
Seattle and with the ball in Payton's hands, how can he be expected to
execute it as you wish?  He will in time.  Same with Delk.  Marbury had the
ball and Kidd before him.  Gotta walk first pal.  I am extremely happy with
the overall play of this team.  They have gone on a nice little 12-3 run
since losing the first 2 games of the year, the second of which some said
that it was gonna be a looooong year, remember?  And they defeated some
decent teams in the process...6ers, Nets, Hawks twice, Magic, Jazz, Twolves,
Hornets.  Hell, 2 of those 3 losses were to the Mavs, the best team in the
league at the moment, and at Milwaukee which is a tough place to go and win.
I pleaded for patience then...I ain't saying it anymore as it's easier on me
to just practice it myself.

Cecil