Re: Stats

[jmc@ptc.com (Jonathan McIntyre)]

> Dana Barros 21 % on 3's , Brown 7%  Ouch !
> 
> So much for veteran leadership.  We need to lose these two.

Their 3-point percentage has nothing to do with their veteran leadership. 
In the last 2 years Dana Barros took way too many untimely 3's, when the 
Celtics were running up floor with a 2 on 1 or 3 on 1 or 3 on 2 and should 
have had a layup, and he'd pull up for a 3.

This year he only did that in the first couple of preseason games, then it 
stopped.  My guess is Pitino talked, and Dana listened.  He's been taking 
fewer 3's, and at better times.  He's also making lots of steals and 
some occasional good passes on the break. 

I'm not sure about Dee, but I can tell you that Pitino started 2 rookies 
and 3 second year players last night (only 1 of whom got significant minutes 
last year).  They were: Knight, McCarty, Walker, Mercer and Billups.  They 
were all rushing the release of their shots, taking mostly outside shots, 
and missing everything.  After about 6 minutes, the Celtics had hit just 
4 shots, and 3 of those were layups or dunks.  Dee came in a few minutes 
later and started taking poised, controlled shots and was hitting from
everywhere.

That's what I see as the advantage of having veterans around. 

There was an interesting sight with a couple minutes left in the game. 
The Celtics had gone ahead, and during a pause in the action after a foul 
call, the camera showed Pitino kneeling in front of the bench with his 
typical straight face, and Dee Brown sitting on a chair, smiling, saying
something to Pitino, laughing and clapping, until Pitino couldn't help
it and broke out in a smile and gave Dee a high five.  I don't know if
this means anything, but it was nice to see.

Jon