Re: First Half Thoughts -- Detroit Game

[bird <birdwl@earthlink.net>]

> From: Kestas <Kestutis.Kveraga@dartmouth.edu>
>
> At 18:02 1/11/2002 -0800, you wrote:
> >I haven't mentioned it yet, so let me take this time to express just how
> >much I loathe Jon Barry.  Don't want to play for my team?  Fine, screw 
> you
> >and the horse you rode in on, buddy.  He can just go suck it.
>
> I've hated Jon Barry ever since he pulled that crap in '92. And it's not
> just that -  the way he plays and carries himself annoys me (the way
> Antoine annoys some people :>)

Tell it, brother.  There's *nothing* I like about this guy -- never have, 
and I'm not ashamed to say, never will.  I don't care if he 
single-handedly captured Usama bin Laden, the guy's a legitimate punk in 
my book.  Always will be.

>  All they [the reserves] had to do was keep themselves
> afloat for 8 minutes against the Pistons' reservers, and they nearly
> drowned. While I didn't expect the offense to click, their lack of defense
> was appalling. If it weren't for timely plays by Waltuh and Milt, Obie
> would've had to reinsert the first unit.

I would have liked to see Blount replaced by Kedrick.  In fact, I believe 
I screamed as much to the TV screen a few times.  After one of the last 
timeouts, I thought it *sure* that Obie was going to take Blount out -- he 
had made an obvious defensive error the previous play.  Switch V to center 
and McCarty to the 4.  After all, once Waltuh's out on the court, I hardly 
think it matters which position he plays.  I didn't think the D was all 
that bad, as the goal was to make Detroit take time off the clock, but 
when the lead's getting down to a dozen or so, I'm getting nervous.  
Alexander was hitting virtually everything he threw up, and you've got to 
know that NBA teams are going to take threes, scrap, and basically try to 
get back in the game.  Just shows you the drop-off in talent, though, I 
guess.  Milt's not a good passer, but he will hawk the ball and take it to 
the hole.  Problem is, a point guard is more effective if he's a good 
passer.  Unlike some, I don't mind Milt bringing the ball up the court and 
passing to Walker.  When he's passing to V or Blount at the top of the key,
  its, you know, not nearly as good.  Still, that's how much Boston 
dominated for three quarters -- the reserves bit and yet they still won by 
fourteen.

> JJ managed to play himself right out of the starting five and was nearly
> invisible in the garbage time. His Moiso-like attitude is really starting
> to bother me.

They need to find the right situation for him.  He can most assuredly play;
  he clearly feels offensively subservient to Walker and Pierce (good) *and*
  everyone else (not so good).  Maybe he ought to play with the reserves, 
though I was expecting him to dominate the offense in garbage time.  I 
mean, Milt, JJ, Waltuh, V and Blount -- if there was ever a time for Joe 
to shine ... that was it.  But, listen to us, willya?  We're decrying a 
guy who is apparently *too* unselfish, *too* willing to look for teammates,
  *too* into team ball.  But that's the reality in the NBA.  Guys who can 
score, need to.  I expect JJ to eventually "get it" in the sense that 
he'll look for his shot more.  After all, the team requires it.  Maybe not 
this year, but I've gotta think he'll work on the three over the summer -- 
you know, the way Mercer never did (still hasn't).  He still went 4-7, but 
I wouldn't mind seeing JJ take 3-5 more shots -- *especially* in a game 
like this.  Then again, this was the 411 on JJ out of college, we shouldn'
t be all that surprised.

> I'm guessing Obie kept Kedrick on the bench because inserting
> him alongside our F-troop would have resulted in even greater disarray on
> the court, if that's possible

Yeah, I guess.  I really ought to stop dissing Blount, but if it's a 
choice between Kedrick Brown and Blount ..., well, *you* make the call, as 
the man says.

> That lame attempt to keep
> the double-digit scoring streak alive was really unnecessary.

I know!  I'm thinking (ok, yelling), "Screw the streak, save the knee!  
Save the knee!"  Just glad nothing major happened, but we'll have to see 
how Walker's knee feels tomorrow ... .

Bird