Re: Marcus Banks and last-second shots

[lapdoggy <lapdoggy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Monday, March 8, 2004, at 11:49  AM, Mark Piotrowski wrote:

> On Mar 8, 2004, at 2:07 PM, Berry, Mark S wrote:
>
> > I have little tolerance for players playing selfishly, and that was 
> > what
> > this felt like with Marcus. This wasn't the first time it happened, 
> > just
> > the most blatant.
>
> good point -- i'm curious what is going through Marcus' head.  At best 
> it appears to have been some form of passive-aggressiveness...not a 
> good sign.  But for now i'm still willing to chalk it up to being a 
> immature rookie, and pray that i'm right.

I saw the play, and at the time I wondered why he didn't shoot it? But 
is that instance enough to condemn this guy? I mean so he didn't heave 
a half court shot. He got his ass chewed out. It will probably be the 
last time that happens.
Speaking of which, did anyone happen to see the half court shot Memphis 
executed, out of a timeout, with 2 seconds left in the half last night. 
A thing of beauty. That team is going to be scary for whoever gets them 
in the first round. I don't know how many of you followed the lottery 
last year, but memphis was a whisker away from getting the #1 pick. 
Just imagine that? Instead Detroit cashed in on that horrible deal.
> > As for Pierce, I'm growing frustrated. He was lousy much of last 
> > season
> > and he has been lousy this season (and when I say lousy, I mean it in
> > relative terms). Is he top 12-20 in the NBA. Absolutely. But that's 
> > not
> > his reputation, at least as far as most Celtic fans go. Two years ago 
> > we
> > were comparing him to Kobe and T-Mac. Now, he's not in those
> > conversations.
> >
> > He's a good player. Sometimes very good. But he's not a great player 
> > who
> > can elevate a team.
>
> I'll admit to sharing in your frustration, but i'm also confused by 
> Pierce -- which is maybe the source of my (perhaps naive) hope about 
> him.

I totally agree that Pierce is going through some serious struggles 
right now. Having said that, anyone who watched the game yesterday saw 
that as soon as he made a move he was often double and triple teamed. 
He's carrying a heavy load this year considering the circumstances. 
Still he has to play smart, and lately he's wanted to relive those 
moments of dropping a 3 at the buzzer. I have faith that Danny will 
give him an earful this off season. No doubt Danny will use Twan as an 
example of what happens to selfish max players. They will be looking at 
a minimum 50% cut in pay their next contract. Still, even after 
Pierce's horrible shot selection, he does a lot of things on the court 
that carry this team. He was 2 assists away from a triple double vs 
Washington yet some people still called him a loser. Still a lot of 
sour grapes on the vine.