What would J OB do?

[Tammo29@xxxxxxx]

I'm not one to usually see the gIass half empty, and I hate to even bring 
this up after our latest five game winning streak, but I see a recurring problem 
in the last three games.
Carlos Boozer and Darius Miles.
Donyell Marshall. 
Ansu Sesay.
All power forwards that like to play away from the basket.
All four killed us for stretches, particularly when Baker was in the game.
It's great to have a consistent inside presence on offense, such as Baker, 
down the stretch.
But the game is played at both ends of the court.  I think O'Brien was smart 
to get Baker out of there in the fourth quarter last night.  Although they did 
put the onus on LeBron towards the end of the game.  How about Pierce 
shutting him down?  1-for-5 and the key steal in the last 6 minutes.  
Back to the power forward issue.  Eric did OK, but even he doesn't like to 
defend the perimeter, especially once he's been drawn inside.  I think we are 
going to have to find a better defensive option in the waning minutes of close 
games.  Do we have anyone on the bench that fits the bill?  Jones?  His defense 
hasn't impressed me.  Walter?  His defense this season has been atrocious 
(which is probably why he hasn't seen much court time, despite Tommy's constant 
harping).
How about Hunter?  I really haven't seen enough of him to say.
Looking at our upcoming schedule, we could be in serious trouble with 
Garnett, Walker, and Kirilenko the next three games.
Kirilenko didn't hurt us the last game against the Jazz because he wasn't 
hitting his outside shot, Baker had the flu and Paul played him for some 
stretches. I'm not sure that happens again with Baker back in the lineup.
Just something to chew on.

The team is really playing well.  The last few games have been very enjoyable 
to watch.
We are out of the red at 12-12.  We've jumped the Nets after their 110-63 
humiliation at the hands of the Grizzlies.  We're a half game behind Philly, who 
play the Jazz tonight, for the lead in the Atlantic
We normally play well against the T-Wolves and Jazz, not so well against 
Dallas.  This next week should be interesting, to say the least.

Oh, one last thing.  I've noticed that Paul has taken to wearing a rubber 
band around his wrist.  While I don't know for sure, I think he may be taking a 
page out of his old college teammate Jacque Vaughn's book.  Jacque always wore 
the rubber band.  Whenever he made a bad play, or forgot to do something he 
should have done, he would snap the rubber band as a reminder.  Hey, whatever 
works.  ( ;

TAM