The point isn't that Antoine shot poorly. Everyone has a bad shooting
game -- 2-for-11, 3-for-14, whatever -- but no one else besides Antoine
(maybe Iverson) has horrendous shooting games like 5-for-23. That's
because everyone else has the common sense to take fewer shots if they
are that far off, or at least has a coach who will call someone else's
number.
If Antoine had passed up, say, a half-dozen of those shots, I would have
had no problem with him. If he went 0-for-12, that wouldn't bother me.
It's the selfishness and stupidity that's involved in these 5-for-23
games that drives me crazy.
Yeah, it's been just one game ... this year. It has been countless
dozens throughout the seasons. Everyone has bad games, but Antoine's bad
ones are horrific, game-losing efforts. Antoine will have some
brilliant games this year and I will cheer him. But I will long for the
day (which will probably never come) when he merely has off nights --
when, like a Larry Bird, he decides to pass to someone who is shooting
well -- instead of wretched, god-awful nights.
STEVE O
There is an entire season to be played before you cry
about one game when our Captain shoots poorly. You'll be the first one to
jump onboard when he lights it up as well.