Re: Call the fouls consistently

[bird <birdwl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Wednesday, May 29, 2002, at 10:00 AM, Kim Malo wrote:

> We need to get the Fleece to play "King Tut" or "Walk Like an Egyptian" 
> at him when he walks out on the court.
If they haven't followed up on Jim Meninno's Hironakaesque suggestion of 
the "K-mart sucks" to dig at Kenyon Martin yet, then there's no hope for 
them.


> Go Cs. I honestly think they'll win tonight, not just hope they will. 
> Just heard Pierce on the radio sounding sincere in saying that he 
> understands he personally was out of control sometimes re: things like 
> dumb fouls and not reacting right to double teams, which was true and is 
> a *VERY* good sign that he realizes it. Unlike Dan, I don't think he 
> chokes (which has always had connotations of quitting), but I do think he 
> lets his emotions get in the way.
Agreed.  But for him, it's a double-edged sword: he uses his emotions to 
spur him on, as well.  The trick is to play with emotion, yet under 
control, getting to that "sweet spot" between the two.  Sounds very "Use 
the Force, my young Padawan learner", but you know... .

I also expect the team to win.  It's their own damn fault: they've played 
so well in the playoffs (well, played successfully, at any rate) and have 
almost always come out when cornered with renewed ferocity, that I can't 
help it.  I think the coaching staff and players adjust very well to what 
is commonly termed "adversity" in NBA media-speak, which just means losing 
games here.  They bounce back.  They have games that stymie us fans 
(letting NJ back into it after the big comeback, digging holes then coming 
back, et al.) but one constant remains: they bounce back.  It's only going 
 to take one time where they don't to end the run, but, I cannot help 
still thinking ... they bounce back.

Go C's.

Bird

P.S. Josh O. is right, I think: Pierce needs to explode quickly to the 
hoop to put a wrench in the double-teams.  Keep them guessing.  Is he 
going to hold on to it or is he already past me? is what they ought to be 
thinking.  And defense, oh my god, it's about the defense -- guard the 
perimeter shot *and* the paint.  Easier said than done, but if they can 
hold NJ, they don't need to have 60-70 points from Piercewalker and 
better-than-decent games from the supporting cast in order to win.  Oh, 
and go over and slap Jason Kidd one time when he's blowing kisses (I agree,
 he looks like a fancy pants ... not that there's anything wrong with that,
 as the saying goes).  Wouldn't mind seeing Rodney Rogers or somebody 
reach over and give him a good whack upside the head just one time.  
"Whaddaya, some kinda opera diva?"  Shoot the ball, for cripe's sake.  In 
ten years guys'll be doing the "macarena" or something before each shot.  
Stop the madness now.