Re: Keeping Billups

[Cecil Wright <nocw1@nsh.library.ns.ca>]

I have been lobbying for the Celts to draft Billups from day 1.  Now that 
they have him, I couldn't be happier.  Well, yes I could, IF ALL THIS 
TRADE BILLUPS STUFF ENDS!!

This kid can play.  Yes he will make some rookie mistakes, but he is not 
afraid to try and make something happen.  I thought that when Pitino 
yanked him from the lineup after making an ill advised pass, he might 
possibly go sulk on the bench.  Instead he cheered for his mates and 
eventually returned to the game and played under more control.  Part of 
his problem is merely youthful exuberance which any number of this team 
is guilty of.  But for us to make negative assessments at this point in 
time is ludicrous.

I am still concerned more about Walker's ball-handling in transition than 
I am about Billups' play which tells you how thrilled I am with this team.
A key moment which stands out was when Chicago started making their run 
in the fourth quarter, albeit with the aid of the refs, Walker dribbled 
down the rightside, passed back to Dana in 3 point territory who made the 
shot but it was nullified by Walker's illegal screen.  I just worry that 
he thinks he has to do too much, but what a spectacular athlete he is.

McCarty is an inspiration.  I don't think in Walker's wildest dreams, he 
ever thought he'd get the chance to team up with him again.  He will take 
so much pressure off of 'Toine and looks like a very capable weakside 
rebounder who should get his share of dunks off the offensive glass.

Knight is just as expected.  He's not going to remind anyone of Jabbar, 
but he's no High Henry Finkel either.  His shooting touch is as good as 
any big man in the league and, though he won't be a league leader in 
rebounds, he grabs well enough to get the break started.  I like him. 

Yes they made alot of turnovers in the first half, but those will 
decrease in time.  This team is the youngest in the league and that bears 
remembering.  If they continue to play hard, they'll become more 
intelligent in their decision making as time goes on.  I LOVE THIS GAME!!

Cecil 

On Sat, 1 Nov 1997 Steskiles@aol.com wrote:

> Hopefully, Billups' performance against Chicago will end all those trade
> rumors.  Like the TNT announcers said of Billups: "This guy's been
> struggling? It looks like he's played in the league for years!!"
> 
> DON'T LET HIM GO !!!!!!!! 
> 
> Key points to tonight's game:
> 
> 1. Down 32-12, Celtics fight back.  They may be young and inexperienced, but
> these Celtics aren't intimitaded by anyone, not even the world champs.
> 
> 2. McCarty is a sparkplug.
> 
> 3. Travis Knight outplayed the Bulls' centers he is modeled after.  Rick said
> he only expects Travis to provide a "Bull-Center type performance": smart
> defense, about 10 points, crashing the boards.  Sure, he'll get bullied by
> Ewing and the A-list centers, but there really aren't THAT MANY A-list
> centers.
> 
> 4.  Dee Brown's in trouble.  He committed some stupid fouls and just didn't
> play smart.
> 
> I'd love some feedback on these issues.
> 
> T
>