Re: Heh Heh Heh...

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

Cecil, I'm a certified Toine critic, but I've been the first to commend him
on his improved rebounding this season. He has been great on the boards,
something the team desperately needed. But his "willingness to give up the
rock this year to Pierce?" Sorry, Toine still leads the team in field goal
attempts. I don't see how anyone can say this is a good thing when he's
shooting 38 percent for the season. He was 6-for-10 on threes against
Detroit (he started 6-for-6 but missed four in a row down the stretch).
That's another problem with relying on the 3-pointer so much. By definition,
it's a low percentage shot. It's easy to say "33 percent on threes is as
good as 50 percent on twos..." and that's true if you're playing on paper.
But so many NBA games come down to the final three minutes, where a
possession makes the difference. Is that one-in-three chance still just as
good as a one-in-two chance? I thought Saturday's game was an excellent
indicator of that flaw in the 3-pointer as a primary weapon attack. This
isn't an indictment of Toine, who was fantastic Saturday, just an example of
why relying on the 3-pointer so much is a risky proposition.

And I should reiterate that my criticism of Toine is as a 42 minutes per
game power forward. Stick him at small forward and let him post up smaller
players and pick apart double teams with his passing and I'm a big fan. But
that's never going to happen. I don't think a team with Toine at PF can win
a title unless they add a terrific presence at center, and they show no
inclination to do that. (Think Washington would trade Haywood for Joe
Johnson? Kedrick Brown? Joe Forte? All three? Me neither.)

 On the list of problems with this team, Toine is near the bottom. They need
a center, a point guard, a power forward, another shooter and a better
bench. But if you don't believe Toine is a flawed player, you're wrong. I
refuse to believe that this team is so unique in the history of the NBA that
a power forward shooting 38 percent but leading the team in shots isn't a
problem.

Mark

P.S. Huge stretch coming up. This week is just the beginning. Next 10 games
are all difficult, then comes the west coast trip. Bad time to be
struggling.... On Joe Johnson-If he can land you a legit big man, do it now
before his value drops through the floor. Other rookies are improving, JJ
regressing. Kedrick isn't ready. McCarty will be an important player during
the second half of the season as the complement to Eric Williams. (And I
can't believe I just typed that sentence.)


--- --- ---

Sorry Jim.  I meant of all the other players throughout the league on other
teams that he mentions, the only one with a flaw is Toine.  It is remarkable
how the Ways of the world are so quick to point out the flaws and ignore the
strengths.  Has anyone heard any critics on this list rave about Walker's
tenacity as a rebounder?  Or his willingness to give up the rock this year
to Pierce?  Or his ability find the open man?  Or his improved free throw
shooting?  Not much you won't.  Did Way mention that he shot 6/7 in 3s the
other night?  Maybe he missed it.