Re: [Celtics' Stuff ] Re: Wow! Michael Gee Rips The Celtics Style & O'Brien

[Sean Giovanello <sgiovanello@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I dont think anything you said said was wrong, except that I dont think 
it really helps us.  We need to see certain guys get playing time - guys 
like Banks, Perkins, Hunter, Welch, Brown, and Jones.  They will most 
likely not get us to the playoffs.  However, I am assuming we will limp 
into the playoffs riding the wrong guys like Battie, Williams, Blount, 
James and Walter.  These guys wont get better than they already are.  
The guys in the first group we need to see to determine how good they 
will be.   I just wish we could escape the trap of making the playoffs 
is a end rather than a means to the real end (championship).  Right now, 
we need to focus on player development so that we have a better chance 
next year and then building on that the following year.  This is why I 
thought bringing OB back was such a bad idea, especially if you trade 
Walker.  With the talent this team has (if Walker were still here) OB 
might have been able to get them to the ECF.  By removing Walker, Ainge 
diminished the talent base but reupped a guy who focuses exclusively on 
the here and now - sacrificing long term good for a short term benefit.  
Thats the biggest problem.  OB is a symptom of this - not the disease.  
The disease is that even during our rebuilding we are focused on making 
the playoffs more than finding out who can play that will be here longer 
than this year.

JB wrote:

> On Nov 20, 2003, at 11:28 PM, Sean Giovanello wrote:
>
>     This team wont be a contender this year.  Its not the end of the
>     world.  Hopefully the moves we make from this point on will be
>     designed
>     towards the long view rather than being championship driven for this
>     season...
>
> * Sean Giovanello
>
> ************************
>
> *Sean, all that you said is very reasonable, your analysis of what 
> shape the Celtics are in and how they got here, is dead on.
> What I'd like to point out though, is that the team has, by playing 
> close to .500 ball, kept their faces in the playoff picture. It 
> wouldn't take that much to raise themselves over the clouds of despair.
> Yes, our center by committee is barely adequate, our small forward mix 
> is shaky and our point guard of the future is just that.
> However; we do have one of the top shooting guards/scorers in the 
> game, if we can integrate him into what the rest of the team is 
> looking to do.
> The four man rotation (with LaFrenz healthy) at the 4/5 was more than 
> holding it's own and Eric Williams and Kedrick Brown (with unknown 
> contributions from Jumaine Jones), have also played well enough in 
> spots and to their strengths, to help us compete on given nights.
> As O'Brien himself has said, Jiri Welsch knows how to keep an offense 
> moving and make the right pass, while Marcus Banks has shown signs of 
> his talent and ability to get to spots on the floor. Also, there are 
> short term solutions, out there at point guard, that would improve 
> this position.
> I don't believe in accepting mediocrity. I don't believe that coach 
> O'Brien is getting the most out of the skills our players do possess, 
> while backing away from the movement and selfless, team play that can 
> be the great equalizer.
> If it were my team, I'd get an offensive coordinator. I don't think we 
> are any longer, "going in the right direction."
> While still thinking that O'Brien is doing what we need him to do; 
> keeping the team disciplined focused on defense and game ready, 
> another's vision is needed on the offensive end. I still see no 
> benefit from "Jumpin" Joe Gallagher, nor do I see anyone else stepping 
> forward to design an offense to best mesh the skills our players do have.
>
> * *JB
> Unchain My Heart!