Re: Hopes for Chauncey and C's

[6166kkver@umbsky.cc.umb.edu]

Gregory Hurst wrote:
> 
> How would Billups look running the point for the following teams:
>
[A list follows]

Billups would look exactly the way he has looked "running" the point for
the Celtics - terrible, for the simple reason that he can not (yet, I
hope) run the point. There are things Chauncey does very well - shooting
that running floater of his, shooting free throws, wasting time on
offense - but being a point guard is not one of them. I don't know where
all you Billups-as-the-PG-of-the-millenium boosters are getting these
notions. Have you seen him play for the Celtics? I watched every game
this season and, to me, he seems to have the point guard instincts of
Manute Bol. Walker, McCarty, Brown and Bowen, not to mention Edney, are
all better at bringing the ball up, dishing it on the fast break, and
making the simple pass into the low post. Walker (and sometimes even
Dee) is occasionally capable of making a great pass. Billups's
fast-break instincts are painfully absent. There were times last night
(just as in previous games) where the situation begged for a fast push
up the court, either taking it to the hoop himself, or dishing it off to
an open teammate. Instead, Chauncey would walk it up in his trademark
semi-crouch, then stand at the top of the key, dribbling aimlessly until
the clock was about to expire. He seems to deem it unfair to the
opponent  not to let them set up defensively. 
I know I'm in for another round of howls of "he's young, Pitino's system
is difficult to pick up, give him a break!!!! etc. ad nauseam", which, I
suspect, are coming mostly from those who haven't seen much of him this
season. However, consider that what we're discussing here (I hope) is
his ability to play PG, or lack thereof. Nobody's denying that the kid
has some talent offensively, and eventually will be able to score a
bunch of points on most nights. If he sticks with it, he will learn how
to defend in the NBA. But the next Stockton he's not. Even that sorry
Denver sportswriter acknowledges it. He might become a good third guard
with time. 
Somebody said that the play of Mercer was not being discussed much, in
sharp contrast to Billups. Well, it's because there's no controversy
here - it's plainly obvious that the guy is going to be a fine, maybe
even great, player.  It's far from obvious with Chauncey, hence all the
discussion. 

K. Kveraga