Re: Hello, old friend (and some Celtics thoughts)

["hironaka@xxxxxxxxx"<hironaka@xxxxxxxxx>]

> ---------- Initial message -----------
> 
> From    : owner-celtics@igtc.com
> To      : "'celtics@igtc.com'" <celtics@igtc.com>
> Cc      : 
> Date    : Wed, 19 Feb 2003 14:41:47 -0500
> Subject : Hello, old friend (and some Celtics thoughts)
> 
>> ... How good is Paul Pierce right now? Wow. The guy 
was running on fumes a
> month ago and seemingly without a clue of when to pass 
and when to shoot.
> Now he's making great decisions and once again is the 
efficient scorer this
> inefficient team needs.
> 
>

If there were a quantifiable measure with which to 
calculate "Most Valuable Player", Paul Pierce might jump 
near the head of the class above some GREAT players 
(Kobe, Garnett).

On this West Coast trip, I would estimate that the 
Celtics have been outscored by up around 50 points in the 
few dozen minutes that he has sat. That might even be a 
low estimate given the two 20 point leads we've blown. 
When Paul's in the game, Boston basically either blows 
out the opponent or puts the clutch finishing touches on 
a close game.

When Walker and Pierce combine for 19 mostly bonafide 
assists like last night, its amazing what the Celtics are 
capable of (125 points in regulation).

On another note, I didn't find so much to fault in Walker 
during his 0-9 stretch in the second half. As usual, a 
couple of shots were last second heaves on the shot 
clock. His inside shot attempts were mostly on target off 
of assertive if "only Antoine" type dribble drives. I 
guess the bad bounces made up for some stupendous rolls 
in the second quarter, when he looked good to reach 20 in 
the period had Obie not decided to rest his hottest 
player (which he has shown a bit of a tendency to do). 

When the Celtics have Walker, Pierce and Eric scoring in 
the paint like that, I don't understand why Boston 
habitually turns to the 3-pointers and allows teams to 
creep back from big leads. They could get teams into big 
foul trouble by pounding it inside, where they now have 
the skills to score or get fouled 60% of the time I'd 
wager. 

Right now, as great as Walter McCarty has been, its 
really Eric Williams who is in championship form. This 
guy is basically looking like a reincarnation of Adrian 
Dantley.

As for Walt, if I were Chris Wallace I'd consider 
offering him a secure 3-year deal in the low one million 
range, as this would give the Celtics additional FA 
options in the summer of 2006 when the Celts already have 
24 million (Baker, Battie, Delk) coming off the cap at 
once, with captains Antoine Walker at 30 and Pierce 29. 

Walt is a veteran who is nearly versatile enough to 
entice other serious suitors this summer. He is a 
priority signing for Boston, much more than Bremer IMHO.

Since we can't likely offer big FA bucks, we should offer 
him job security in length of contract. He's been a 
fantastic contributor this year, reliably under control 
at almost all times, and emerging as a clutch shooter too.








  


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