1st game impressions

[Kestas <kkv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

General impression:
Horrible game. They need to find another way to train the refs and acquaint 
the players with rule changes. Shaw's games were more watchable than this, 
and that's saying something. I'm not sure why there was anyone left to 
finish the game, they called so many fouls.

The Celtics seemed capable of blowing out the Knicks if they had cared to, 
but Obie obviously wasn't  into that, he was trying different kinds of 
lineups (3 guys over 6-10, two small guards etc.). The D was pretty good at 
times. They demonstrated more fast-breaking skills than they had all of 
last season, and they didn't even run that much.That's also counting the 
ones Walker and especially Pierce managed to butcher by going 1-on-3. More 
on that later.

Player impressions:

Baker: nice low-post moves, good agility and drives to the hoop, surprising 
passing ability. Even stole the ball from a guard. I remembered him being 
more stationary, around the basket type of guy. Must be the shape he's 
gotten into. Still seemed soft somehow, avoiding contact whenever he could. 
Maybe I'm just seeing what I expected to see. Was addressing Tommy "Mr. 
Heinsohn" in the post-game interview, to which Heinsohn said "Tommy is good 
enough".  Just seems like a very polite, intelligent, sensitive kind of 
guy. I could see how he could be  high-maintenance.

Shammond: pretty quick, good dribbler/penetrator, not much of a defender. 
Didn't show much else of notice.

Shoooondov: Unathletic, but very long and has some offensive skills. Can't 
guard anyone.

Wolkowyski: a cheaper, smarter, softer Potapenko. Maybe it's the way he looks.

Bremer: seemed eager to give up the ball to Walker or Pierce as quickly as 
he could (smart kid :>).

Walker: same old, although he seems slimmer and, unsurprisingly, even more 
involved in running the team.

Pierce: was doing exactly what Lance has accused him of doing. Even Mike 
and Tommy felt a need to have a discussion about whether he's 
selfishly/stupid basketball. Collected a few assists in the beginning, then 
drove into crowds of defenders repeatedly, getting stripped, losing the 
ball, committing offensive fouls.

Kedrick: same old, although might've been a bit more assertive. Skyed for 
dunks and rebounds, made a nice-looking three, played pretty decent D. 
Still no midrange game or much basketball sense.

Delk: looked better than last season (although he hardly could've looked 
any worse). Hasn't turned into Jason Kidd or even Jason Williams.

Eric: looked better than last season all around.

Battie: solid play on D and on the boards, had a few nice turnarounds.

McCarty: same old regular season Waltuh