Re: VP rumblings.

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

   Hopefully, as both of the below posts echo, Jimmy "O" will learn from the
last two games and see, that when we are getting beat up inside, by teams
like Philly, Detroit, Charlotte and (believe me, we'd better be ready to
fight tonight) Miami, we can try some bigger lineups.
   We finally saw a unit with Walker, Battie and Rogers on the front line,
which got us back in the game, from down 12,  in the second quarter. Then,
Vitaly was resurrected, in the fourth and helped fuel an unsuccessful
comeback from 15 down. How far are we from seeing Battie at the four and
Vitaly on the block?
   Some veteran posters have been crying for Battie to be tried at the power
forward spot for years. Will "O" be the first to indulge them? Could Tony
become what Ratliff became for the Sixers? Freed from having to bang with
the "beef," he could be the roaming; rebounder/ shot blocker, this team has
lacked since McHale's stress fracture. Tony also hit 3-3 on mid range
jumpers yesterday. Not a bad weapon. Few defenders can get up in the air to
block that shot. It's not Parish's turnaround moon shot, but again, it's
been a long time since we've had a player who can consistently score in the
paint. 
   
   JB

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



                Unchain My Heart !

>> Finally, since Obie only deals in positive reinforcement, maybe we should
>> get 
>> together and put together a video clip of our latest streak with Vitally
>> playing to "gently" remind him of how much better we play when we have some
>> 
>> mass in the middle....
>>DJessen 
> 
> VP isn't a world beater. He can help with rebounding though.
> He is great a boxing people out.
> 
> I think though this "must be able to shoot a three" small ball stuff is
> hurting us.
> 
> I think a more intelligent subsition pattern is to play E. Williams less, and
> VP
> and Battie more. Battie should get E. Williams minutes at the PF, and VP
> should get more minutes at the center.  Athletic guys like Battie do best
> "roaming"
> he doesn't have the size to block out a beast like Wallace, and he only gets
> his
> rebounds through sheer athleticism.
> 
> I think when we are getting killed through sheer lack of size and shot
> blocking ability we should allow ourselves to go big.
> 
> Battie should get time at PF where he can handle those guys better size wise,
> and put VP in at Center. Thats a good lineup when we sit Walker. When we sit
> Pierce you can bring in E. Will to replace him.
> 
> I do think Obie is a bit addicted to small ball, and refuses to match up
> against
> a bigger line up. I would like us to play some of our size advantages.
> Rodgers
> can handle small forward, Pierce can play off guard,  Delk can play some
> point
> and Battie can play some PF where he belongs.
> 
> We can go big as well as small..because we have some guys with "small" player
> skills...namely Walker Pierce and Rodgers.
> 
> Pete