Re: January, it can be a cold and long month.

["Dan Forant" <dforant1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

We all knew we were seriously thin in talent. Now with injuries surfacing
this team will drop like a rock. Last years CF finals are just a mirage now.
Some of our key starters were sure to break down eventually. OB had to push
these guys like coal miners and Pierce never got the rest he needed this
summer.  This is the result. Tired and hurting.

DanF

----- Original Message -----
From: "JB" <jimmetz@mac.com>
To: "Celtics' Stuff" <Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: "Celtics List" <Celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Friday, January 03, 2003 7:34 AM
Subject: January, it can be a cold and long month.


> As January's schedule begins tonight, with the game against the once
> again menacing Trailblazers, we see a Celtics team in possible, deep
> trouble.
> We have lost five of our last eight games, so instead of fighting
> Indiana and New Jersey for the top playoff spot, we are now hoping to
> avoid a further spill and stay with the second level of playoff teams;
> who are also  struggling; N.O., Orlando and Phily, while hoping not to
> be passed by surging Washington and an ever improving Chicago and Miami.
> To exacerbate the recent spate of poor play, Tony Battie is being
> examined for possible knee surgery, which would keep him out for up to
> eight weeks and Paul Pierce, despite disclaimers, is also having what
> might be chronic knee problems himself. I can't forget the words of
> Jimmy Myers, after, I think the Phoenix game, querying Paul and warning
> listeners that Pierce's knee did not seem right.
> Are we now sinking into the  notion that this team has squandered the
> opportunities left behind by Pitino? Just what dividends have we reaped
> from the three #1 draft picks? Just how was our roster reinforced by
> the value of the expiring contract of Kenny Anderson?
> Pitino left us with: Walker, Pierce, Battie, Eric Williams and Walter
> McCarty. Just what have Wallace, Pappile, O'Brien done to improve the
> squad?
> With Battie's injury, it is imperative that our new owners spend up to
> 5 million dollars for a 1 million dollar player (thanks to Vin Baker's
> contract), who will have to get immediate playing time.
>
> `He's got to be somebody who can play minutes,'' Grousbeck said. ``We
> are going deep into the luxury tax. This is a big commitment
> financially. We are paying $5 in penalty for every $1 we spend over the
> limit. Even for a veteran minimum, that's a lot of money.''
>
> Jimmy O'Brien has, by force of will, imposed the attention to defense
> that his successor, the "Great Pitino," could not. Now, his next
> challenge is upon him. Can he take his theory one step further and
> create good passing and ball movement without a point guard?
>
> ''Whoever has the basketball in their hands, it's just a matter of
> recognizing who the open man is and hitting the open man every time,
> unless you have a point-blank drive at the basket,'' said O'Brien. ''I
> think Antoine does a really, really fine job of picking out the open
> man. I don't think the other guys see the obvious. I really believe
> those guys are all unselfish. They all put the team before I. The
> ability to make the simple, fundamental pass and make sure the pass,
> when it is delivered, is on the hands where the guy can do the most
> positive thing is what we're looking for.''
>
> The shooting % is horrible. From superstar to scrub, it's epidemic.
> How much defense will be necessary to compensate?  How many rebounds
> can a team with a center (Vin Baker) who can't jump and a power forward
>   who plays on the perimeter, grab?
> I'm wondering all of these things, as I'm sure you all are also.
> January, it can be a cold and long month.