[no subject]

[JB <jimmetz@xxxxxxx>]

	There are  some very interesting situations emerging, as examined by 
the newspapers and reflected in the coach's quotes, over the last two 
days.
	It sounds like coach O'Brien isn't trying to impose an offense. What's 
that about? He wants movement, running and passing, but won't put in 
any set plays. It could work, like it did at Kentucky, as he says he 
wanted better passers on the floor this year, but it would work much 
better with a true point guard.
	With no set plays for Vin Baker, how in  the world does O'Brien expect 
him to have an impact? How long will it take for Baker to wish he  was 
back in Seattle? This is one situation that could really hurt this 
franchise going forward. There is no way that Wallace, or even Frank 
"Trader" Lane, can trade out of Vinny's contract.
	Offensive anarchy? If the Darwinian theory of evolution holds true,  
the captains will dominate the ball even more, leaving coach O'Brien's 
wish for movement and fast breaks in the waste basket.
	Could  Lance be right about coach O'Brien setting this year up, to 
have the players beg the team to bring in a point guard for next season 
and actually be willing to have him run the offense? 	Coach O'Brien's 
focus on defense is sound, but two things have to happen between 
defense and offense, that the team not only ignored, but weakened 
itself in, in the off-season. 1.Rebounding.   2. Passing. You can play 
all of the defense you want, but if you don't get the rebound, the 
other team can just tire you out, getting shot after shot. Without good 
passers, particularly a great, or even good, point guard, you don't get 
high % shots, or involve the whole team on the offensive end, leaving 
everyon disgruntled  and standing around, flat footed, weakening the 
rebounding and eventually the defense.
	Coach seemed to have two mantras going into the off-season: 1. He 
wanted athletes in the front court, not rebounder/banger types. 2. His 
point guards had to be shooters first, passers second. This does not 
seem to be very balanced. In fact, he was lamenting this week, that the 
team is not strong enough, under the boards and keeping the other teams 
away from the rim. Duh?
	Where is Joe Gallagher? We brought him in to teach post play, but 
without plays being charted to get the ball into the post, what good is 
it?
	Richie Adubado?  Here; just watching practice, to renew old 
acquaintances? Anyone remember what Rich's specialty was? He's coaching 
in the  WNBA. That league surely is founded on  motion and passing. 
Here's hoping........
	The other situation, involves the lame duck ownership issue and  
expanding the roster. Now that it's too late to bring in real players, 
like Jacques Vaughn, or Gary Trent (I still am in shock  that we signed 
Wolkowyski  and Bremer, over these two, for the same money); we have 
O'Brien and in part, Wallace, lobbying to sign another player.  Who is 
out there? Not much really. Jimmy Jackson and Rod Strickland have 
talent, but  are hardly the good locker room veterans I'd like to see 
on this team and both are still looking for  more than the minimum.
	We need muscle  and point guard skills, but who makes the decision  on 
whether to  spend it? Gaston is still the owner, until the December 
meetings, at the earliest, I believe.
	Trades are a possibility, but unless they figure ways to make Baker a 
real part of the offense, it's hard to believe this team can duplicate 
last years showing, without some muscle and a true point guard.
	
	
		JB

	Unchain My Heart !