Re: the state of the rivalry

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

On Fri, 28 Nov 1997, KK wrote:

> 
> 
> 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. 

Ask Toronto fans how happy they are with McGrady and see what they say.  
He's had a few games where he couldn't even catch the ball, and when he 
did, it was an automatic turnover.   

 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. 

I'm sure this is only your opinion, but learning-challenged?  Come on 
now.  If that isn't going terrribly overboard, what is?  Unless you are 
part of the coaching staff, how can you make that criticizm and why would 
you even say such a thing?

> > 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?

Like I, and others have said before, there are times when he plays 
foolishly and there are times when he makes a great play.  He's a rookie.

> > 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
> 
> 
So who is to blame for the terrible shooting percentage for the minutes 
Billups didn't play?  Let's be fair, you can hardly fault the guy for a 
teammates failure to hit the jumper or to finish a layup.  Yes he had a 
crappy game, but if he shot 8-17 from the line, you'd want his head on a 
platter.  Walter is 6'10", so I would hope that he can do defensive 
things that Billups can't.  That doesn't factor into this discussion.  
Your point revolves around the fact that as a #3 pick, he should be 
performing at a higher level.  I'm saying that, given the circumstances, 
his play will improve.

Cecil