Re: blame game?

[Dan Forant <dforant1@nycap.rr.com>]

Welcome newcomers to the Pitino fiasco. I really believe and nothing is
impossible, he is playing us into the lottery again, one more time. I'm not
a psychic but he thinks one more draft, and 2-3 trades, and we leapfrog a
few teams. His substitution patterns and game plans are not designed for
winning. 

At 12:47 PM 1/11/00 -0500, you wrote:
>Sorry to post a "me-too" (and after a loss, no less) but I think it's
>important to keep in mind that it is always so very easy to blame the
>players. I'd like to make a few points on their behalf. Thank goodness for
>your comments Joe, a ray of sanity amid the chaos. 
>
>How can someone blame Potapenko? The guy only ever gets to play half a game
>(and always draws the tough defensive assignment). He's having a great game
>and leading the team in scoring, so lets take him out and sit him down
>during the crucial 10-15 minute span during the 3rd and 4th quarters?
>
>The same goes for 'Toine and his post defense - it seems to me that the guy
>is doing all he can but he is simply overmatched (this has been a problem
>for him on offense too the last few games). For that matter, it's hard to
>blame any player for lack of defense in the "outbreak" scheme since they're
>all guarding two or three men. Could that be a reason why we are among
>league leaders in fouls and opposition FG%?
>
>And you are so right about Fortson. . . the poor guy's got to be scratching
>his head! Gee, I wonder why he is so "foul-prone" - could it be related to
>playing out of position at center? I thought that that was one of the
>primary reasons he wanted to leave Denver.
>
>And please, anybody, why does Pitino ALWAYS insist on having the smallest
>team on the floor? 
>
>These last few games have made me sicker than the flu has! It's just these
>kind of "inexplicable" losses (TWO career highs for the Grizz last
>night!?!) that can lead to an irrational desire to break up a young,
>talented and balanced core. I like the core of this team (VP, DF, AW, PP,
>KA, and AG) and would hate to see it dismantled simply because it has been
>mishandled or through senseless desperation.
>
>Thanks Joe for the dose of common sense!
>
>-Tom Murphy
>
>----------------
>Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2000 10:36:21 +0100
>From: opi@unesco.org
>Subject: Re: Griz Maul Celts: Vancouver (?) 111- Boston 103
>
>Bill Cooper wrote:
>
>>        Walker: after a very strong 2 or 3 weeks, Toine seems to be
>> drifting
>> again.  he did get 11 boards tonight, and had at least 3 offensive
>> rebounds for scores.  He also made some nice passes and ended up with
>> 7 assists (all in the first half).  But he didn't post at all, and
>> turned the ball over 7 times, while shooting 7-18.  And for the second
>> game in a row, he got beat up by a true low post player, as Harrington
>> went for 27 on 11-14, as Toine didn't event try to deny him the post.
>
>This could be Walker's fatal flaw as a power forward  (post defense).
>Maybe he's hinting to Coach Pitino that Fortson should finally be in their
>fighting low post guys in the paint. I don't know what Fortson needs to
>prove to finally get quality, extended minutes in Boston (2 fouls and 4
>boards in 9 minutes). If Eric Williams were to join Griffin on the IR,
>then the minutes will no doubt go straight to Waltah. I would strongly
>urge Fortson to get the hell out of Boston once this season ends. The guy
>is starting to rebound like crazy plus he's not shooting bricks (16-21 on
>FG so far). He must be wondering "what the hell else I'm supposed to do to
>get minutes?" We're getting mauled on the boards and he's sitting on the
>bench. He can at least help us as a 6-8 backup center this year, then next
>year go somewhere where he'll be used properly.
>
>> Potapenko: was the focus of a big promotion before the game (Shave
>> your head like Vitaly and get into the game for free).  Anyway, he
>> started the game fired up, and scored 12 points in the first quarter.
>> Naturally the effect wore off as the game went along and Vitaly got
>> into foul trouble.  Still had a more than respectable, 19 points and 8
>> boards in 23 minutes.
>
>8-13 with 8 boards in just 23 minutes is not entirely atypical of him. The
>kid averages just 23.7 mpg and only gets 7.1 shot attempts per game (with
>some strong, unblockable pivot moves and a .510FG%/.738FT%) yet we trash
>him for not putting up flashier numbers. Basically, he was a "ball hog"
>last night. Let's give him the damn ball once in awhile before we trash
>him as a non low-post threat. Potapenko is another young guy who would be
>much better off playing for any of the other 28 NBA coaches who don't play
>a bombs away, headless-chicken outbreak. I know Bird covets him. I wish
>Bird would just come home.
>
>The only positive thing about losing consecutively to a 4-26 and 9-24 team
>is that this speeds up Gaston's decision to buy-out the 6 million-a-year
>coaching contract. The problem is that Bird (and Ainge) most likely won't
>be available next year. Maybe Cowens or Lenny Wilkins (he deserves to
>finally be around good locker room characters instead of the Ike Riders of
>the world) will be available.
>
>I'm just daydreaming though. In the real world, the smooth talking white
>boy will stick it out and some of the key young players (beginning with
>Fortson) will be the one's that go.
>
>Still grumpy despite two great days on the street.
>
>Joe
>
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