thoughts from the game3

[markp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

- Hunter:  I would really love to see Hunter make this team.  He can 
contribute something next year, which I think we have to imagine 
Perkins won't (which is fine IMHO).  Granted its just one summer 
league game, but he just seems to have a knack for the ball, and 
plays taller than he is -- he had no reservations about taking it up, 
and scoring over, the 7-5 Vranes.

- Banks:  Wow.  He's my second favorite Celtic already.  He pushes 
and pushes. I can hear Heinson now "I love Mah-cus".  Made a good 
number of Turnovers, but I'd take those any day of the week -- at 
least you're trying to make something happen -- over the same number 
of 24 foot misses from Bremer or Walker.  And he's a true-PG, with an 
impressive knack for knowing where other players are.  I feel like i 
did for the first 3 games of the Kenny Anderson era (back when he'd 
push the ball and get Pierce, Mercer and Walker easy baskets).  3 
plays stick in my mind.

1. some white stiff (was it Kornell David? the sound was off where I 
watched the game) blocked sweetney's shot and Banks ended up with it 
and took off up court and got into the lane.  He found the stiff as 
the trailer and got him the ball in a great location even though the 
stiff was a little out of control and committed the offensive foul. 
But I was thinking what a great way to reward him for not only 
getting the block, but getting down court.  I think that stuff sinks 
in over the course of the year and we'll see Battie and KB filling 
the lanes to get easy buckets.

2.  4th quarter: Banks gets a rebound and simply outruns everyone for 
a coast-to-coast layup.  that was an easier 2 points than any basket 
we got last year, without question.  Banks might add 15 points a game 
to the C's just by pushing it.

3.  (my favorite) Banks is on the left side with Sweetney on #50 or 
Hunter (can't remember) and Banks man is sliding off him a little 
making an entry pass to 50 impossible.  Banks dribbles for a few 
seconds hoping to draw Sweetney out, to no avail, so he gives a jab 
step towards the lane, pulling Sweetney toward him.  Banks takes an 
immediate step back and fires an easy pass to #50 who's all of a 
sudden really open in the lane.  I was awestruck because we now have 
a PG who will make the game easier not just for PP & Walker, but for 
players like Hunter, Battie and especially Kedrick.

- Kedrick:  I agree with someone who said he seems to just lack a 
passion out on the court.  At the same time though I think he could 
average 12 points a game next year just off fast breaks and open 
passes from Banks.  He will be the biggest -- or should be -- 
benefactor from having a true PG on the team.  In some ways i think 
his lack of an outside shot could help since he'd be the player to 
rotate off of when Banks penetrates, leaving him open for dunks.  I 
think Kedrick will always be saddled with unrealistic expectations -- 
as a #11 "promised" pick.  But I think he could develop into a 
starting SF, who is content to play D and get transition baskets, 
which is a good compliment to PP and AW.

- Lampe:  Is he the ugliest player since Greg Kite retired? 
Seriously.  Not a bad player, but will never be Nowitzki I don't 
think.  Nice handle for a 7-footer.  But just as Hunter playes 
bigger, he plays smaller.

(the other) mark