quick thoughts on the nets game

["Josh Ozersky" <jozersky1@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Good win... here's a few quick thoughts:

Positives:

1.  Baker looked good.  No plays run for him at all, but he was
active, hustled, and got his 8 and 4 the hard way.  He didn't
take many shots, and still (like all the Celtic centers) spends
WAY too much time at the top of the key.  I hate that!  Real
aggressive, felt good about himself.  Now they have to get
him the ball a few times.

2.  Mike James.  At first I thought he was just another Palacio /
Damon Jones, but he seems a little better than that.  Made some
nice heady plays on both ends of the court, and earned himself a
good statistical line.  His size makes him a good alternative to
Banks, who is in reality no taller than Dana Barros, albeit much
stronger physically.  Both James and Banks got some valuable experience
shooting key free throws at the end of the game.

3.  Good team defense.  The Nets brought their A game, including the
usual half-dozen alley-oops, but the Celtics were still able to hold them
to a low percentage.  You forget, because the Nets big wins are so
demoralizing (what with them playing basketball the way it was meant
to be played and all) but if we can keep it close Pierce can usually close
them out.  Theoretically.


Negatives:

1.  I'm totally sure Mark Blount was the one Ainge said sucks.  And
I'm sure it was in response to Obie / Wallace's ridiculous claims for him.
The guy's a stiff, period.

2.  Antoine was horrible tonight.  On several occasions he took down a
rebound, dribbled it up court by himself (despite James being open)
and ran into traffic or threw up an airball.  Looked like the Twon of 1997.
My patience is over.  Or is it?

3.  Banks.  Marcus really has to make a big adjustment, and it's not a
sure thing that he will make it and flourish.  He had some nice plays,
and should be able to carve a good career for himself as solid NBA
point or better, but right now he just doesn't know how to get it done
against players bigger and faster than any he's ever seen.  Just in over
his head.  It's early though -- guys like Ray are jerkoffs for calling him
Clanks or otherwise putting him down.  That said, he did look really
disappointing in the first half.  One thing I liked is that he kept taking
the
same 20 footer until it started falling.  He also out ran Jason Kidd, who
was forced to foul him on one play -- and that was after a made basket.

4.  The offense was klutzy and undercoached, as usual.

5.  Walter sucks.

6.  Hunter barely played at all.  I guess it was Walter's turn.  See number
5.

7.  Can someone remind me how the Nets got such a great point guard as
Zoran planicic at the end of the 1st round?  Or how they acquired Alonzo
friggin' Mourning without giving anything up?

mezze-mezze:

1.  Kedrick.  Some nice plays, more active, but still not what you would
call an impact player.  He did have a nice two-handed flush in traffic off
a standstill, though -- the only Celtic player who can do that it seems.