Re: the Philly win

[Eggcentric@xxxxxxx]

Another terrific post, Joe. You haven' t missed a beat. A couple of things 
you got me thinking about -

< Teams would be crazy not to study Larry Brown's game-planning to 
defend Paul Pierce. When Boston isolated him, the Sixers had three 
guys facing him, with no obvious kickout or driving lanes in sight. 
I thought it was very effective, but hey, "scoreboard, baby!"> -Joe H.

I'm not sure about this one. As you point out, while Pierce was 
getting all the attention it was leaving other guys like Delk, SWill, 
McCarty wide open. So what did they do - they shot 10-16, 8-11 on 
3-pointers. If our other players don't shoot well, Brown's strategy 
wins the game.  But if they do shoot well, which they have been, then 
the strategy backfires, which it did.   As long as Pierce attracts two 
or three defenders and our open secondary players continue to hit 
the 3-pointer we will certainly win lots of games.  SO - who said 
Pierce doesn't make his teammates better even when he goes 4-20?

< My view is that Vin Baker might not get boo-ed once any time this 
first season on his homecourt. For one thing, he's such a sympathetic 
character. You can see every emotion on his face. For another thing, 
his skills are so distinct on this roster. Its something we haven't 
seen in a long time...a guy whose low post moves actually often end 
in a clear, no-jumping required, look at the basket from two feet 
away. And lastly, I don't think fans blame Vin for the contract his 
former owner gave him. > -Joe H.

I have been fascinated at the fan's coddling reaction to Vin... at least 
while we are winning.  We come off as loving parents hoping in vain 
that our 31 year-old little boy will finally straighten out his life.  
Only his  "Just the facts, Maam " coach seems to find Baker more of 
a nuisance than a sympathetic character.  

If he had a rookie's name instead of Baker sewn on his shirt, 
I am afraid I would be thinking,  " Damn, another poor draft choice. 
It might take years before this guy learns how to move, shoot, 
rebound, block shots, and defend. "
 

Eggy