Re: the state of the rivalry

[KK <6166kkver@umbsky.cc.umb.edu>]

Cecil Wright wrote:

> Your style is very cute, but your content is extremely questionable.  If
> you think Tracy McGrady has not had any difficulty making the adjustment
> to the pro game, you have not been following his season very closely.  I
> won't even bother to discuss the antics of Jermaine O'Neal.

It is true that these two kids haven't exactly lit up the NBA. What's more
important to me than their numbers, however,  is that their talent is so plainly
evident. Every time I've seen them play, they've shown gobs of potential, and
that likely makes it easier for the fans of their respective teams to wait for
their development. If Billups were showing that kind of potential, I don't think
so many of us would be worried about the situation. So far, I do not see whence
these A-grade skills are going to come for Chauncey. He does not have great
athleticism, and, worse yet, seems to be learning-challenged. Granted,  he has
decent offensive skills, and has shown that he can play pretty good defense when
his head is in the game, but one can find quite a few 2nd round picks and
undrafted players in the NBA who have (developed) similar skills.

> <...>
>
> If some of you are not willing to be patient with mistakes and those who
> make them, get rid of them all because none of them are perfect.

I don't expect perfection, but I expect not to see the same dumb play several
times in every game. How long can it take Billups to figure out that he's not
Air Jordan or, for that matter, even Kobe Bryant?

> <...>
>
> My question is why does Billups continually get the raspberry by himself?
>

You yourself gave the answer earlier: he's a #3 pick not playing, or even
threatening  to play, on the level expected of such a high pick.

> Billups shot 1-3 and had 4 turnovers in 21 minutes.  Not a good game, but
> hardly the abysmal catalyst for disaster.  McCarty shot 1-6 and had 2
> turnovers in 31 minutes and there's not a mention. (I'm not dissing
> Walter, just using him as an example)  I don't think Billups can be
> blamed for a woeful team shooting exhibition.

  Not entirely, to be sure, but whose job is it to provide his teammates with
good scoring opportunities if not the point guard's? Chauncey had 0 assists to
Walker's 7 and Edney's 4 (in limited minutes). And, since you mentioned McCarty,
yes, it'd be nice if he realized he's no Reggie Miller and took it to the hoop
consistently (which, IMO, he could do with some success because of his
particular abilities). But, simply put, less is expected of McCarty in terms of
offensive leadership, plus he's valuable in other ways-  "Walleh" can do some
things on defense that Billups simply will never be able to do.

K.Kveraga