Walker's knee a wake-up call

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

The near-miss on the Antoine injury should expose Chris Wallace's "sit still
till 2003" plan for the risk it is. If Walker was seriously injured, we'd be
forced to play Eric Williams big minutes at power forward. Or maybe V and
Battie side-by-side, with Blount getting all the backup minutes. Or maybe
Walter figures in the mix. Get the point? It would have been ugly with a
capital UG.

I'm sick of the arguments against picking up another power forward.
"Antoine's going to play 43 minutes a night, so why bother?" Well, what if
Antoine doesn't play at all because of an injury? And even if he stays
healthy, doesn't it make more sense to cut back on those minutes to keep him
fresh for the dog days and stretch run of the season? Let's say Antoine
averages 38 minutes per game... that's 10 minutes a game for another power
forward. Plus that power forward could play some minutes at center since
we're already playing two power forwards there anyway. And throw in a few
minutes for Antoine at small forward, and you understand where a guy like Bo
Outlaw could be a huge help. Or Charles Oakley. Or Horace Grant.

This team is desperate for help up front. Sure, as long as Antoine is
healthy and fresh, it seems like no problem. But wait until his legs start
to go as we get into February and those 43-minute nights start to take their
toll. Wait until he is injured.

Having a long-term plan is great, but this team is contending in the Eastern
Conference right now, and they need help. It's time for Wallace to get in
the game.

Mark