Our lump of coal for Christmas

[Tammo29@xxxxxxx]

Whew!
Reading the list this morning isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
I almost decided not to read it at all in order to keep up my Christmas 
spirit.  

Not much to disagree with.  We looked like a team that thought they were just 
going to walk in the building and walk out with a W.  
I agree that Baker hasn't looked good for some time now.  There was some talk 
as to him not getting enough touches, but I was seeing some of the same 
problems he had last year as being the reason....ie, not posting up, being content 
to just set screens but then not creating a passing lane to get the ball back, 
passing up shots when he had opportunities.  I will also add that he has been 
doubled consistently in a few games, so some drop in shot attempts is natural.
I was a little relieved that when he was asked to be more aggressive in the 
second half the other night against Philly he was able to.  For that reason I 
think it's more of a confidence or passivity problem than a return to drinking.
Like many others, I don't understand why Baker played so much and why he was 
on Abdur-Rahim down the stretch when it was obvious he was helpless against 
him.  I think Jumaine Jones would have been a better matchup.  I think Mihm 
could have helped with rebounding in this game immensely too.  I'm still waiting 
for the team that O'Brien thinks Mihm will have a good matchup.  It wasn't 
Dallas, it wasn't Philly, it wasn't Utah, it wasn't Atlanta.  Who are we waiting 
for?  The Lakers?
Besides Baker/Mihm, my only complaint about O'Brien in this game is the same 
one I've had since day one, he has no offensive ingenuity.  He calls the same 
plays over and over and then is surprised when the other team seems to know 
what's going to happen.
His idea of drawing up a play is saying get the ball to so and so and let him 
go one on one.
And it isn't just Paul, although it may seem so this year.  He did the same 
thing with Mike James in the Memphis game when Paul had fouled out.  I remember 
pointing out the exact quote at the time.

http://www.igtc.com/archives/celtics/2003/Nov/msg00149.html
*****If you want more proof as to how unimaginative O'Brien is, just look at 
the 
quotes from James about the last play against Memphis.
Get James the ball, clear out.  Let him go one on one and everyone else get 
to the baseline for a possible rebound.  Wow!  ***********

I've seen Atlanta play quite a bit this season, and they aren't as futile as 
their record would suggest.  But there is no way I expected to come out of 
this game with a loss.

Oh well.
Safe and Happy Holidays to everyone.

TAM