As The Celtics Beagle Might Say....

[Michael Gooen <callmebogie@xxxxxxxxx>]

Bleah.

I witnessed tonight's -- what for want of a better word I'll call "game"
-- with Messrs. Hironaka and Ozersky.  I will leave it to them to give
most of the details.  I'm still kind of nauseous.  

For you optimists out there, let me focus on the few good points.  Delk
looked pretty good from beyond the arc.  Bremer had a few nice drives to
the hoop.  Sundov (whose name, we learned, is pronounced "Shun-dov" -
apparently that little squiggle over the S does that) hit a few 3s.  Eric
Williams, of all people, made a nifty pass at one point.  And the
Continental Airlines Arena carved turkey sandwich I ate was pretty edible.
 

That's about it for the good stuff.  

As frightening as it may sound, Antoine Walker seems to be the only player
on the team who has any clue how to run an offense.  And if I were the
type to jump to conclusions, I'd say that Vin Baker is doomed in Boston --
not because of his attitude, his conditioning or the weight of
expectations that come with his contract, but purely because of the lack
of on-court chemistry.  And that's not his fault.  It's O'Brien's.  I
thought O'Brien was kidding when he said they hadn't designed any plays
for Baker.  If tonight was any indication, he wasn't, and they haven't. 
The Celtics have a player making 8 figures a year AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO
LET HIM TOUCH THE BALL.  

I hope I'm wrong.  I hope this changes.  I hope O'Brien installs an
offense.  Otherwise we're looking at the University of Dayton all over
again.

One other thing.... We managed to get courtside during pregame warmups
(apparently the security guards are a lot more lax during preseason). 
I'll let Josh tell you about his conversation with Chris Wallace.  While
he was doing that, I was calling out to Rodney Rogers in the layup line. 
When I finally got his attention (don't think he could've missed the
Celtics #6 jersey I was wearing), I told him that we missed him.  He
seemed genuinely touched.  He went on to prove me right during the game. 
I haven't seen the box score yet, but I don't remember Rodney missing a
shot (or taking a bad one).  Damn you, Paul Gaston.  

Michael Gooen 
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