Re: The Kedick school comment and Walker

[CeltsSteve@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 03-02-01 11:45:59 EST, Celtic4Hire writes:

<<  Steve,
 PP was the only one out there with fire in the third quarter, twice getting 
offensive rebounds. Don't drink from Lance's delusional cup. Although the 
refs seemed determined to make  pay for a poor effort with numerous bad 
calls,  I personally think PP was mostly disgusted with the team and namely 
Walker and Obie for screwing up what they had going. I mean, they were within 
a whisker of defeating the Pistons in their place. All we needed was the same 
play with one more basket or assist from Walker. We didn't need to clean the 
board and start over.
 
 This game was all about Walker being a big part of the offense. We didn't 
need that right now. If he is so smart as Obie says he is and he is a 
coaching candidate, then he would know when he is hurting the team. In 
defense of Walker, he did take the bulk of his shots around the basket. He 
was just playing and doing what he does. Therefore, it is the coach's fault 
for trying to forcefeed Walker into the offense. Obie should have limited 
Walker's minutes or brought him off the bench. I mean, who is running this 
team, anyways? Naturally, Obie isn't going to be that upset because it is his 
game plan and substitutions. He just goes on the next game with his gimmicks. 
I just sit back and say bring it on. The more we see like this, the sooner 
Obie gets run out of here.
 
 All I am asking is for a conventional offense and conventional substitution. 
People playing in their natural positions and being given the ball to score 
in their favorite spots. Coaching that can modify their defense to match the 
opponent. Gimmicks are for short term. The fans want the long term fix...>>



DJ,

Please don't put my comments into a frame of reference from someone else. 

The most maddening thing I observe on this and other boards is that the 
"Pierce apologists" (for lack of a better term) - and I am certainly not 
suggesting that you are one - are very quick to defend Pierce but rarely hold 
Pierce's feet to the fire to apply the same standard that they hold other 
players, namely Walker, to. Very often there is insightful and valid 
criticism(s) offered as to Walker's shortcomings or failures or miscues but 
that same level and depth of criticism is seldom, if ever, offered when it is 
applicable to Pierce. 

The C's were already down by 27 points at the half. Walker took what, 15 
shots in 30 minutes? Pierce took 18 in 31 minutes. So I can't agree with your 
conclusion that Pierce was digusted with Walker screwing up as you term it 
"what they had going". 

What "they had going" in the last four games that Walker was out was Pierce 
attacking the basket and going hard to the rack to get plenty of FT 
opportunities. Last night, Walker got to the FT line more than Pierce.

What "they had going", at least in Tuesday night's game against Detroit, was 
the fact they were able to outrebound the Pistons. Last night, the Pistons 
were a + 9 on the glass. The C's also only forced a measly 9 Detroit TO's. 
That is all about collective effort and intensity. 

What "they had going" last night was a total lack of D in which the Pistons, 
a notoriously low scoring offensive team and a team with no inside offensive 
presence, were allowed to shoot 51% for the entire game and score in triple 
figures on the C's home court. The interior D was missing - even Ben Wallace 
was knocking down perimeter jumpers, for Chrissakes - and the perimter D was 
non-existent. Of the Pistons 79 toal FG attempts, 32 of those shots were from 
beyond the arc. Detroit's backcourt torched the C's backcourt. 

What "they had going" in the last four games was Pierce paying less and less 
attention to his defensive responsibilities and that carried over to this 
game.  It's one thing to let Rip Hamilton, a proven scorer, shoot almost 60% 
from the field and get loose for 29 points. It's quite another to let an 
unknown like Jerryl Sasser get his career high of what, 28 points, and single 
handedly keep a McGrady-less Magic team in that game. 

This was a TEAM loss. I'm not suggesting that it falls on the head of any one 
player.
What I AM suggesting is that if you're a two-time All Star, a max contract 
player, and team co-captain, you don't quit on your team when things get 
tight and you damn sure don't slip out the back door after an epic blowout 
because you aren't man enough to face the inevitable tough questions.  I just 
wish people would stop giving Pierce a free pass and immunity when he f*%#s 
up, that's all.

Steve