When the news hit about the Celtics trading for Antoine Walker, my son called to say he liked the deal. Well perhaps I was a bit hasty in my assessment of the Walker trade. It is of course way to early to change the over all analysis of the weakness in Walker’s game however there can be no denying what the near term effect has been on the club. In the two games that Walker has appeared the team has played with renewed vigor and intensity and it cannot be denied that he has been welcomed by his teammates as a key addition to the club. He has been a vociferous cheerleader on the bench and an aggressive scorer, rebounder and defender on the floor.
The Celtics had begun this last West coast swing by losing the first two games and holding on to a very slim lead in the Atlantic Division. The game before the trade had resulted in a 21-point spanking administered by the Denver Nuggets. That all turned around when Walker joined the club in Utah and immediately notched 24 points and 10 rebounds in a solid win over the Jazz.
That was followed by a yeoman effort in last night’s overtime win over the Phoenix Suns as Walker score 33 points hauled in 13 rebounds and dished out 6 assists. His shooting percentage was low as he hit on 12 for 32 attempts however the misses were still mostly of the good shot variety. No wild three pointers as he was either slashing to the hoop or producing down low. His assists were heads up passes to the open man and it is apparent that even this early in his transition to his new club that the old magic with Paul Pierce is still there.
More importantly than his fine performance since his return has been his attitude. In a weekend interview with the Boston Globe, Walker was typically candid in his remarks and those remarks were what a Celtic fan wants to hear. He is glad to be back with the team and is thankful to Danny Ainge for being courageous enough to trade for him. He wants to be here and in contract negotiations for next year it will not be all about the money.
The Celtics are back home Wednesday night and it will be interesting to see the reception Walker gets from the faithful.
On two other notes, I was concerned about the loss of Payton and the impact on the point guard position. So far no worries there as rookie Delonte West does not look out of place at all. In the Utah game he delivered 16 points and 7 rebounds in 38 minutes and he followed that up with a career high 19 points in 36 minutes last night.
There has been a reduction in Al Jefferson’s minutes as he played 12 minutes and scored 9 points in the Utah game and got only 6 minutes and contributed 5 points in the Phoenix win. This may not be entirely negative from the rookie’s perspective as now he will match up against Walker in practice and will be spelling him at the power forward position.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
Yikes
What the heck is Danny Ainge thinking? In a trading deadline move that is leaving some of us very bewildered, Ainge has made a trade that returns Antoine Walker to the Celtics. Walker you might recall was traded away from the team when Ainge came on board for a variety of reasons. One was that he would want to much money in a contract renewal coming up this year and two, his game was one that Ainge was not particularly enamored with.
Walker career stats and indeed his 2004-2005 stats would back up Ainge's criticism of Walker's game. Although he is scoring 20.4 points a ball game and averaging 9.4 boards, he is shooting at a 41.5% field goal percentage and even worse he is shooting 53.4% from the foul line. Add to that the fact that he is number 4 in the league in total turnovers, dribbles to much and shoots to much and you wonder how he is going to fit into the style of ball that coach Rivers wants to play.
Drafted out of Kentucky in the first round (6th overall) Walker has always been a tantalizing talent. He is a big man at 6' 9' tall and 245 pounds who has very good ball handling skills and is a very adept passer. However he is a tweener in terms of where he can play. As a power forward on the blocks he frequently is over matched by taller players and out on the wing he does not have the speed to play as the shooting forward.
The additional negatives to this deal is that the Celtics lose Gary Payton who by all accounts has been the consummate pro this year for the club. He was not crazy about the idea of leaving the Lakers to come to Boston and said so however since arriving he has played well without complaint and contributed greatly to the Celtics success in the division so far. The loss of Payton at the point leaves the point guard position to rookie Delonte West and 2nd year man Marcus Banks. Both of whom have struggled at times.
There may be additional benefits to this deal that are not readily apparent. The Celtics also included Tom Gugliotta and Michael Stewart in the deal as well as a first round draft choice. Gugliotta had contributed a bit this season and Stewart is clearly a salary dump. Walker is in the last year of a 70 million dollar max cap deal that Rick Pitino gave him. It is hard to imagine that he will ever command a max deal again. So perhaps the Celtics are simply holding their nose for the rest of the year and renting Walker. If they release him at the end of the season they will have cap room to make room for a free agent who might fill one big spot for next years run at the division title. In the near term they are still in contention for the division title this year and Walker arguably adds another front court dimension to the club.
One of the most glaring negatives here is that adding Walker will reduce available playing time for the Celtics young big men Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins. Both have been showing marked improvement this year and having Walker taking up minutes can't have a positive effect on their growth.
The one unknown of course is Walker's impact in the locker room. He came in from a wonderful college program at Kentucky and developed into the Celtics on court leader in his first stint here. He is however a fairly obnoxious on court competitor with out even talking about the infamous "Walker wiggle" in which he shakes himself like a fool when he makes a play that others might think ordinary. This has not made him a player or fan favorite throughout the league. Will Paul Pierce respond to having his old running mate back or will the Celtics fall back into mediocrity and the old walk it up the floor bombs away three point shooting team we all hate? Only time will tell.
Walker career stats and indeed his 2004-2005 stats would back up Ainge's criticism of Walker's game. Although he is scoring 20.4 points a ball game and averaging 9.4 boards, he is shooting at a 41.5% field goal percentage and even worse he is shooting 53.4% from the foul line. Add to that the fact that he is number 4 in the league in total turnovers, dribbles to much and shoots to much and you wonder how he is going to fit into the style of ball that coach Rivers wants to play.
Drafted out of Kentucky in the first round (6th overall) Walker has always been a tantalizing talent. He is a big man at 6' 9' tall and 245 pounds who has very good ball handling skills and is a very adept passer. However he is a tweener in terms of where he can play. As a power forward on the blocks he frequently is over matched by taller players and out on the wing he does not have the speed to play as the shooting forward.
The additional negatives to this deal is that the Celtics lose Gary Payton who by all accounts has been the consummate pro this year for the club. He was not crazy about the idea of leaving the Lakers to come to Boston and said so however since arriving he has played well without complaint and contributed greatly to the Celtics success in the division so far. The loss of Payton at the point leaves the point guard position to rookie Delonte West and 2nd year man Marcus Banks. Both of whom have struggled at times.
There may be additional benefits to this deal that are not readily apparent. The Celtics also included Tom Gugliotta and Michael Stewart in the deal as well as a first round draft choice. Gugliotta had contributed a bit this season and Stewart is clearly a salary dump. Walker is in the last year of a 70 million dollar max cap deal that Rick Pitino gave him. It is hard to imagine that he will ever command a max deal again. So perhaps the Celtics are simply holding their nose for the rest of the year and renting Walker. If they release him at the end of the season they will have cap room to make room for a free agent who might fill one big spot for next years run at the division title. In the near term they are still in contention for the division title this year and Walker arguably adds another front court dimension to the club.
One of the most glaring negatives here is that adding Walker will reduce available playing time for the Celtics young big men Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins. Both have been showing marked improvement this year and having Walker taking up minutes can't have a positive effect on their growth.
The one unknown of course is Walker's impact in the locker room. He came in from a wonderful college program at Kentucky and developed into the Celtics on court leader in his first stint here. He is however a fairly obnoxious on court competitor with out even talking about the infamous "Walker wiggle" in which he shakes himself like a fool when he makes a play that others might think ordinary. This has not made him a player or fan favorite throughout the league. Will Paul Pierce respond to having his old running mate back or will the Celtics fall back into mediocrity and the old walk it up the floor bombs away three point shooting team we all hate? Only time will tell.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
The curse and habits broken
During normal winters, a life long Red Sox fan would suffer through until the middle of February when a little note would appear on the sports page. That note would read “Red Sox spring training equipment van left Yawkey Way for Florida”. In years gone by it would be a significant moment for a variety of reasons.. It would bring to an end the previous seasons disappointment and signify the beginning of a new round of chorus echoing this is “our year”. Of course it would also bring hope that another miserable cold snowy New England winter would soon come to an end.
This was a different kind of winter. We were no sooner basking in the glow of the Red Sox World Series Championship then before you knew it another Super Bowl trophy was being paraded through out the commonwealth. Some how that managed to break the habit of searching for the van departure date.
The off season seemed to me to be a bit placid. Under normal circumstances the Sox Nation would be aflame over the loss of the Dominican Dandy as well as Orlando Cabrera, Derek Lowe, Gabe Kapler and Dave Roberts. Theo was hardly second guessed in these decisions as he wore his mantle of success of a championship. That and the fact that he was extremely busy spending the money he had saved on Martinez and others by acquiring Edgar Renteria, Matt Clement, Wade Miller, David Wells and others.
Although there are some question marks in the acquisitions it is no more so than some of the questions marks that left. Did you really want to spend 60 million over 4 guaranteed years on Pedro Martinez?
So the equipment van went and then the pitchers and catchers arrives and now everybody is in full swing at spring training. I can feel the usual excitement of watching the new comers and speculating on the final team make up. The one very strange difference is that instead of me repeating the mantra “this is our year” I am in the strange position of saying let’s get two.
This was a different kind of winter. We were no sooner basking in the glow of the Red Sox World Series Championship then before you knew it another Super Bowl trophy was being paraded through out the commonwealth. Some how that managed to break the habit of searching for the van departure date.
The off season seemed to me to be a bit placid. Under normal circumstances the Sox Nation would be aflame over the loss of the Dominican Dandy as well as Orlando Cabrera, Derek Lowe, Gabe Kapler and Dave Roberts. Theo was hardly second guessed in these decisions as he wore his mantle of success of a championship. That and the fact that he was extremely busy spending the money he had saved on Martinez and others by acquiring Edgar Renteria, Matt Clement, Wade Miller, David Wells and others.
Although there are some question marks in the acquisitions it is no more so than some of the questions marks that left. Did you really want to spend 60 million over 4 guaranteed years on Pedro Martinez?
So the equipment van went and then the pitchers and catchers arrives and now everybody is in full swing at spring training. I can feel the usual excitement of watching the new comers and speculating on the final team make up. The one very strange difference is that instead of me repeating the mantra “this is our year” I am in the strange position of saying let’s get two.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
It's Only a Game
I sat in church this morning and sent up a couple of words to the Big Guy (or Gal) in favor of Tedy Bruschi. Tedy suffered a mild stroke this week and it seemed the first things reported in the newspaper or television was speculation as to whether or not Tedy could resume his career with the New England Patriots.
Tedy has had a wonderful 9 year career to date with the Patriots. He has appeared in 4 Super Bowls with the club and has 3 championship rings to show for it. In many of the NFL commercials it is the wide-eyed Tedy peering over the giant lineman from his middle linebackers position in high intensity concentration.
Tedy has made many plays, which are memorable to the Patriots fan. He is also noted for his community work and his ability in music. None of these things seem to me to be as memorable as the image of Tedy frolicking with his two little boys on the field at Jacksonville on the morning of the Super Bowl. It was a scene that might bring some moisture (privately) to the eyes of any man who has known the joys of being a father. On the biggest day in his professional life, at the pinnacle of a wonderful career, Tedy was being chased and playfully feigning being knocked to the ground by two joyous little guys named Tedy Jr. and Rex.
I hope many of us feel that it is more important for Tedy to forego any more potential risk to his health by taking any more hits to his body. The importance of Tedy to his little guys far out-weighs that of his participation in a game. It is true that it is also his work life but at 31 he has achieved so much more than many. Tedy has more important things to do now.
Tedy has had a wonderful 9 year career to date with the Patriots. He has appeared in 4 Super Bowls with the club and has 3 championship rings to show for it. In many of the NFL commercials it is the wide-eyed Tedy peering over the giant lineman from his middle linebackers position in high intensity concentration.
Tedy has made many plays, which are memorable to the Patriots fan. He is also noted for his community work and his ability in music. None of these things seem to me to be as memorable as the image of Tedy frolicking with his two little boys on the field at Jacksonville on the morning of the Super Bowl. It was a scene that might bring some moisture (privately) to the eyes of any man who has known the joys of being a father. On the biggest day in his professional life, at the pinnacle of a wonderful career, Tedy was being chased and playfully feigning being knocked to the ground by two joyous little guys named Tedy Jr. and Rex.
I hope many of us feel that it is more important for Tedy to forego any more potential risk to his health by taking any more hits to his body. The importance of Tedy to his little guys far out-weighs that of his participation in a game. It is true that it is also his work life but at 31 he has achieved so much more than many. Tedy has more important things to do now.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Book a Room in Paradise
The uneasy truce, which prevented wholesale continental bloodletting between the red menace and us during the cold war, was the doctrine of MAD. MAD is the acronym for mutually assured destruction. Basically it meant that if you attacked us with nuclear weapons we would simply incinerate you. The tool of this policy was the triad. The three cornered strategy involved land based ballistic missiles, intercontinental bombers and nuclear powered submarines. Maybe an unprovoked attack could disable one or even two of these elements but make no mistake about it what ever remained was sufficient to reduce the opponent to ashes.
Fortunately the possibility of such a nuclear confrontation has greatly diminished over the past several years. As a child I was introduced to the threat by duck and cover in elementary schools and now take some solace in thinking that our race has come to its senses with regard to the folly of all out nuclear confrontation.
Now we are confronted with a newer threat. The threat is not as potentially devastating in terms of the type of destruction a large nuclear exchange would bring however it has been more damaging in terms of actually lives lost because it is being regularly used against us. That threat of course is the homicide bomber. The bomb has taken many forms, a fuel-laden plane, a strap on vest, a car or truck and one most important ingredient, a highly motivated zealot.
We are spending money in enormous amounts around the country and the globe to guard against terrorists threats but it is naïve to think that we won't be struck again. Profiling and metal detectors and bomb sniffing dogs and every other high and low tech device we can employ simply cannot insure that level of security in a free society. The answers are complex but much like MAD there must be a counter strategy that will give these people pause for thought.
The essence of the formulation of that strategy lies in understanding the motivation of such an individual. It is not politics, or upbringing or perceived grievances or hatred that is the guiding light behind suicide bombings. It is martyrdom and the prospect of immediate transport to paradise that moves the jihadist to commit these atrocities. The change in the behavior will come when we change our tactics in dealing with the underlying motivation.
When we examine the people who have been involved in this evil we generally find one thing in common. By and large they are young male followers of radical elements of Islam. It is their particular brand of faith that spurs them on yet what we see as a constant is the people who are senior to them and espouse martyrdom and issue the fatwah's allowing it (a legal opinion or ruling issued by an Islamic scholar) don't seem to have the same enthusiasm for their own immediate transportation to paradise.
Apparently they are not quite as excited to die for their beliefs as their followers. After all it is management's prerogative to delegate and if you are killed off in a martyrdom operation you can't very well be delegating operations to others. This is why we don't see pictures of grizzled old Islamic scholars as perpetrators of homicide bombing crimes. The life of a cleric or scholar evidently is comfortable enough to want to delay departure to paradise for as long as possible I guess.
So then perhaps our strategy might again take on a three-pronged approach to achieving an uncomfortable uneasy truce with violent sects of Islam. First we continue in prevention by trying to intercept bombers and protecting potential targets. Next we attack the funding and operations of such organizations. Lastly and most importantly we need to identify exactly who are the elder clerics who espouse martyrdom on a religious basis and send them some simple messages. The simplest is this, if you are constantly involved in indoctrinating young people in your area of influence in the idea that killing Americans is going to send them to paradise then we have news for you. Start packing.
Fortunately the possibility of such a nuclear confrontation has greatly diminished over the past several years. As a child I was introduced to the threat by duck and cover in elementary schools and now take some solace in thinking that our race has come to its senses with regard to the folly of all out nuclear confrontation.
Now we are confronted with a newer threat. The threat is not as potentially devastating in terms of the type of destruction a large nuclear exchange would bring however it has been more damaging in terms of actually lives lost because it is being regularly used against us. That threat of course is the homicide bomber. The bomb has taken many forms, a fuel-laden plane, a strap on vest, a car or truck and one most important ingredient, a highly motivated zealot.
We are spending money in enormous amounts around the country and the globe to guard against terrorists threats but it is naïve to think that we won't be struck again. Profiling and metal detectors and bomb sniffing dogs and every other high and low tech device we can employ simply cannot insure that level of security in a free society. The answers are complex but much like MAD there must be a counter strategy that will give these people pause for thought.
The essence of the formulation of that strategy lies in understanding the motivation of such an individual. It is not politics, or upbringing or perceived grievances or hatred that is the guiding light behind suicide bombings. It is martyrdom and the prospect of immediate transport to paradise that moves the jihadist to commit these atrocities. The change in the behavior will come when we change our tactics in dealing with the underlying motivation.
When we examine the people who have been involved in this evil we generally find one thing in common. By and large they are young male followers of radical elements of Islam. It is their particular brand of faith that spurs them on yet what we see as a constant is the people who are senior to them and espouse martyrdom and issue the fatwah's allowing it (a legal opinion or ruling issued by an Islamic scholar) don't seem to have the same enthusiasm for their own immediate transportation to paradise.
Apparently they are not quite as excited to die for their beliefs as their followers. After all it is management's prerogative to delegate and if you are killed off in a martyrdom operation you can't very well be delegating operations to others. This is why we don't see pictures of grizzled old Islamic scholars as perpetrators of homicide bombing crimes. The life of a cleric or scholar evidently is comfortable enough to want to delay departure to paradise for as long as possible I guess.
So then perhaps our strategy might again take on a three-pronged approach to achieving an uncomfortable uneasy truce with violent sects of Islam. First we continue in prevention by trying to intercept bombers and protecting potential targets. Next we attack the funding and operations of such organizations. Lastly and most importantly we need to identify exactly who are the elder clerics who espouse martyrdom on a religious basis and send them some simple messages. The simplest is this, if you are constantly involved in indoctrinating young people in your area of influence in the idea that killing Americans is going to send them to paradise then we have news for you. Start packing.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Interview with Big Al
I got an opportunity to meet Al Jefferson after the Boston Celtics
completed their practice on Tuesday. I began a rather wide ranging interview
by trying to get a feel for my subject personally. It didn't take very long
for me to judge this book by its cover. I would describe Al as a confident
yet very humble young man.
He is confident because after a summer of hard work and 52 games
into his first grueling NBA schedule, Al knows that he is not out of place.
He acknowledges that there may have been some skeptics early on regarding
whether or not he could make the leap to the pro ranks from high school but
it is obvious to him as well as any seasoned NBA observer that Al is
precisely where he should be.
His humility is in evidence by virtue of the fact the he fully
recognizes the he is still a work in progress and is readily willing to make
the commitment to reach his full potential. That commitment has been evident
during his recent stint on the injury list. After twisting his ankle January
26th against the Indiana Pacers, Al has turned the injury time to his
advantage by spending more time in the weight room. In addition to
increasing his capacity on the weight bench it is also obvious to the casual
observer that his physique is maturing and his upper body is gaining added
size and strength. Asked about the possibility of his added strength and
dimensions affecting the softness of his shot, Al dismissed the changes as
having none.
Coach Rivers and the Celtic media staff have been quick to
compliment Al on his work ethic and his attention to learning his craft.
Before the interview, I also had an opportunity to query a number of the
assembled veteran print writers who cover the Celtics and to a man they are
optimistic about Jefferson's progress to date and his future impact on the
club
Al grudgingly acknowledges the injury may have been a blessing in
disguise. At the time he was nursing a hip pointer and case of plantar
facsiaitis. (He is taping his ankles) Although he has missed several games
and will miss an appearance in the rookie all star game it also gave Al a
midseason break from his first exposure to the long NBA season and travel
schedule.
His status at this point according to Celtic Coach Doc Rivers is
"day to day" but from the look of him at practice today he is very close to
returning. The one question mark Rivers has is that with anybody, until you
return to game level speed your endurance and conditioning remains to be
seen.
Despite the fact that Jefferson has exhibited a strong presence in
the low post, Coach Rivers does not see any more of an effort to get
Jefferson any more touches. "We are trying to go in the low post and who we
go to will be determined by who wants the ball". According to Al he does
expect more opportunities as his team mates continue to gain confidence in
his low post abilities. Al is going to have to earn his additional time as
Raef Lafrentz has been playing very well and Kendrick Perkins has begun to
assert his inside presence with the club and will provide Al with some
strong intra team competition for playing time.
As his minutes continue to increase we can also expect to see more
of Al's repertoire. We have seen the accuracy of his baby hook in the lane
and his very short range jumper but Al says we have not seen his complete
bag of tricks as of yet. When asked if Celtic fans could expect to see more
of his face to the basket moves Al replied "yes but my bread and butter is
on the blocks". This of course is music to Celtics fans ears since the team
has been a soft perimeter shooting group over the last several years.
Jefferson's attack on the offensive and defensive boards has brought some
oohs and ahhs on occasion at the Fleet Center.
When asked about any surprises he has encountered in his transition
to the NBA Al replied "no surprises, because almost everything has been
one"! The easiest one to deal with in his transition was the weather.
Navigating through New England snow can be made easier by the Hummer!
Al has been going slow in acclimating himself to the Boston area
culture. He has been to a few museums and to the basketball hall of fame in
Springfield and he does expect to become more familiar with the area from a
historical perspective as time goes on. In the area of community involvement
he is also gradually getting to know the lay of the land. He mentions Walter
McCarty as someone he sought guidance from early on regarding community and
charity work. Walter has been recently traded to Phoenix but has been
legendary in his unselfish community involvement and was somebody who could
be relied on for good advice to the rookie.
In talking about his game experiences to date there was no one
particular player who he singled out but simply said that at this level
every one has their own unique set of skills. He did single out Zach
Randolph of Portland as someone who he might emulate in developing his own
skill set.
In the near term Al is itching to come back and will join a team
which sits atop the division. Al likes the Celtic's chances to win the
division and is quite optimistic about entering the playoffs in his first
NBA season.
In closing I asked him what it was like to line up and play against
Shaquille O'Neal. With a wry grin Al said, " now I know what it was like for
those guys who had to cover me in high school".
Phil Gallagher for the Prentiss (Miss.) Headlight
completed their practice on Tuesday. I began a rather wide ranging interview
by trying to get a feel for my subject personally. It didn't take very long
for me to judge this book by its cover. I would describe Al as a confident
yet very humble young man.
He is confident because after a summer of hard work and 52 games
into his first grueling NBA schedule, Al knows that he is not out of place.
He acknowledges that there may have been some skeptics early on regarding
whether or not he could make the leap to the pro ranks from high school but
it is obvious to him as well as any seasoned NBA observer that Al is
precisely where he should be.
His humility is in evidence by virtue of the fact the he fully
recognizes the he is still a work in progress and is readily willing to make
the commitment to reach his full potential. That commitment has been evident
during his recent stint on the injury list. After twisting his ankle January
26th against the Indiana Pacers, Al has turned the injury time to his
advantage by spending more time in the weight room. In addition to
increasing his capacity on the weight bench it is also obvious to the casual
observer that his physique is maturing and his upper body is gaining added
size and strength. Asked about the possibility of his added strength and
dimensions affecting the softness of his shot, Al dismissed the changes as
having none.
Coach Rivers and the Celtic media staff have been quick to
compliment Al on his work ethic and his attention to learning his craft.
Before the interview, I also had an opportunity to query a number of the
assembled veteran print writers who cover the Celtics and to a man they are
optimistic about Jefferson's progress to date and his future impact on the
club
Al grudgingly acknowledges the injury may have been a blessing in
disguise. At the time he was nursing a hip pointer and case of plantar
facsiaitis. (He is taping his ankles) Although he has missed several games
and will miss an appearance in the rookie all star game it also gave Al a
midseason break from his first exposure to the long NBA season and travel
schedule.
His status at this point according to Celtic Coach Doc Rivers is
"day to day" but from the look of him at practice today he is very close to
returning. The one question mark Rivers has is that with anybody, until you
return to game level speed your endurance and conditioning remains to be
seen.
Despite the fact that Jefferson has exhibited a strong presence in
the low post, Coach Rivers does not see any more of an effort to get
Jefferson any more touches. "We are trying to go in the low post and who we
go to will be determined by who wants the ball". According to Al he does
expect more opportunities as his team mates continue to gain confidence in
his low post abilities. Al is going to have to earn his additional time as
Raef Lafrentz has been playing very well and Kendrick Perkins has begun to
assert his inside presence with the club and will provide Al with some
strong intra team competition for playing time.
As his minutes continue to increase we can also expect to see more
of Al's repertoire. We have seen the accuracy of his baby hook in the lane
and his very short range jumper but Al says we have not seen his complete
bag of tricks as of yet. When asked if Celtic fans could expect to see more
of his face to the basket moves Al replied "yes but my bread and butter is
on the blocks". This of course is music to Celtics fans ears since the team
has been a soft perimeter shooting group over the last several years.
Jefferson's attack on the offensive and defensive boards has brought some
oohs and ahhs on occasion at the Fleet Center.
When asked about any surprises he has encountered in his transition
to the NBA Al replied "no surprises, because almost everything has been
one"! The easiest one to deal with in his transition was the weather.
Navigating through New England snow can be made easier by the Hummer!
Al has been going slow in acclimating himself to the Boston area
culture. He has been to a few museums and to the basketball hall of fame in
Springfield and he does expect to become more familiar with the area from a
historical perspective as time goes on. In the area of community involvement
he is also gradually getting to know the lay of the land. He mentions Walter
McCarty as someone he sought guidance from early on regarding community and
charity work. Walter has been recently traded to Phoenix but has been
legendary in his unselfish community involvement and was somebody who could
be relied on for good advice to the rookie.
In talking about his game experiences to date there was no one
particular player who he singled out but simply said that at this level
every one has their own unique set of skills. He did single out Zach
Randolph of Portland as someone who he might emulate in developing his own
skill set.
In the near term Al is itching to come back and will join a team
which sits atop the division. Al likes the Celtic's chances to win the
division and is quite optimistic about entering the playoffs in his first
NBA season.
In closing I asked him what it was like to line up and play against
Shaquille O'Neal. With a wry grin Al said, " now I know what it was like for
those guys who had to cover me in high school".
Phil Gallagher for the Prentiss (Miss.) Headlight
Monday, February 14, 2005
Oink Oink
When I was a kid I had the great pleasure of watching Bobby Orr play for the Bruins. He had been trumpeted as a savior of the Boston Bruins who up to that point had been mired in under achievement. We awaited his arrival with great anticipation. A bunch of us took the train into the old garden to see his first game and as kids often do we were somewhat skeptical about the new kid. After all he was only about 6 months older than us. How on earth was he going to turn the Bruins around?
The rest, of course, is history. He was something very special. He was poetry in motion. His command of the game was complete. No one had ever been so dominant from the defenseman's position. When he had the puck sometimes it appeared as though he was a man against boys. The puck would stay on his stick like it was a magnet. He would rush up the ice with speed that made others look like they were standing still.
The impact of Orr in this region was manifested in a boom in ice hockey as a sport and as a business. Rinks began to sprout up all over the state and school systems which did not have hockey as a varsity sport soon began to add teams. It soon became a rage and was further advanced when the Bruins and Orr brought home a Stanley Cup.
“Jesus saves and Esposito scores on the rebound” was the favorite bumper sticker but it was Orr who made that Big Bad Bruin team what it was.
My oh my what a long steep fall has happened since. The Bruins along with the rest of the NHL are out on strike and the season is soon to be cancelled and quite frankly no one I know gives a damn. How can grown men act so foolishly? The owners and players have taken a game in which people like Orr were making one tenth what the players today are making and they are on the verge of making it a junior varsity sport.
This will end sometime and the only thing the NHL player lockout/strike will serve as is an example of how greed can destroy something. In business and at home when something stupid or foolish is about to happen, parents or bosses will say hold on "let's not be NHL about this”.
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The rest, of course, is history. He was something very special. He was poetry in motion. His command of the game was complete. No one had ever been so dominant from the defenseman's position. When he had the puck sometimes it appeared as though he was a man against boys. The puck would stay on his stick like it was a magnet. He would rush up the ice with speed that made others look like they were standing still.
The impact of Orr in this region was manifested in a boom in ice hockey as a sport and as a business. Rinks began to sprout up all over the state and school systems which did not have hockey as a varsity sport soon began to add teams. It soon became a rage and was further advanced when the Bruins and Orr brought home a Stanley Cup.
“Jesus saves and Esposito scores on the rebound” was the favorite bumper sticker but it was Orr who made that Big Bad Bruin team what it was.
My oh my what a long steep fall has happened since. The Bruins along with the rest of the NHL are out on strike and the season is soon to be cancelled and quite frankly no one I know gives a damn. How can grown men act so foolishly? The owners and players have taken a game in which people like Orr were making one tenth what the players today are making and they are on the verge of making it a junior varsity sport.
This will end sometime and the only thing the NHL player lockout/strike will serve as is an example of how greed can destroy something. In business and at home when something stupid or foolish is about to happen, parents or bosses will say hold on "let's not be NHL about this”.
http://www.americanthinker.com/comments.php?comments_id=1610
Saturday, February 12, 2005
No more bribes for North Korea
In an editorial titled the North Korean Challenge
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/11/opinion/11fri1.html? The New York Times
trumpeted "When President Bush took office four years ago, he immediately
began distancing himself from the Clinton administration's approach, which
had stopped the most imminent North Korean nuclear weapons program in its
tracks." And further posited the fallacious argument that the Bush
administration policy of multi party talks was part of a litany of Bush
administration diplomatic errors on North Korea.
It is hard to understand on what basis the Times considers the Clinton
approach a success and the Bush approach a failure. It would appear that
the Times is involved in peering through rose colored glasses or very near
term historical revisionism. After all the Clinton unilateral policy of
bribing the North Koreans with light water reactor, tons of food and fuel
aid did not stop any bomb building in its tracks. In fact it only allowed
the North Koreans more unimpeded time to actually add to the body of
nuclear work they had already accumulated.
Furthermore the Times alludes to North Korea "kicking over the negotiating
table and refusing talks". Well that apparently was only a 15 minute
strategy since today they are demanding unilateral talks with us. They
want to talk with us because apparently they think Bush is as easy a mark
as Clinton was. The Times is simply out of touch with this issue.
The multi lateral talks are exactly what the administration should pursue
in dealing with the North Koreans. In arriving at that conclusion one need
only ask the central question
of who has most to lose in the region if North Korea is a belligerent?
Since the parties directly threatened by the North Korean regime are the
Japanese, South Koreans, Chinese and Russians why then should it be left
to us to use diplomacy to diffuse this situation?
China and Japan are the big dogs in the region and since North Korea lacks
any real long range delivery systems, threatened use of the weapons would
directly affect them. Why should we engage in talks directly and again
pledge our assets to bribe the North Koreans when China's economy is
growing at a rate that is double ours and has most to lose if hostilities
of any sort break out in the region?
China's interests are further threatened if the Japanese are forced to
build nuclear weapons to off set the historical enmity which the Koreans
hold for them. The Bush strategy here is correct not because the
administration does not have enough diplomatic capital to use to diffuse
the situation but because it is time to force the nations whose
responsibility is to take care of business in that neighborhood to meet the
threat themselves.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/11/opinion/11fri1.html? The New York Times
trumpeted "When President Bush took office four years ago, he immediately
began distancing himself from the Clinton administration's approach, which
had stopped the most imminent North Korean nuclear weapons program in its
tracks." And further posited the fallacious argument that the Bush
administration policy of multi party talks was part of a litany of Bush
administration diplomatic errors on North Korea.
It is hard to understand on what basis the Times considers the Clinton
approach a success and the Bush approach a failure. It would appear that
the Times is involved in peering through rose colored glasses or very near
term historical revisionism. After all the Clinton unilateral policy of
bribing the North Koreans with light water reactor, tons of food and fuel
aid did not stop any bomb building in its tracks. In fact it only allowed
the North Koreans more unimpeded time to actually add to the body of
nuclear work they had already accumulated.
Furthermore the Times alludes to North Korea "kicking over the negotiating
table and refusing talks". Well that apparently was only a 15 minute
strategy since today they are demanding unilateral talks with us. They
want to talk with us because apparently they think Bush is as easy a mark
as Clinton was. The Times is simply out of touch with this issue.
The multi lateral talks are exactly what the administration should pursue
in dealing with the North Koreans. In arriving at that conclusion one need
only ask the central question
of who has most to lose in the region if North Korea is a belligerent?
Since the parties directly threatened by the North Korean regime are the
Japanese, South Koreans, Chinese and Russians why then should it be left
to us to use diplomacy to diffuse this situation?
China and Japan are the big dogs in the region and since North Korea lacks
any real long range delivery systems, threatened use of the weapons would
directly affect them. Why should we engage in talks directly and again
pledge our assets to bribe the North Koreans when China's economy is
growing at a rate that is double ours and has most to lose if hostilities
of any sort break out in the region?
China's interests are further threatened if the Japanese are forced to
build nuclear weapons to off set the historical enmity which the Koreans
hold for them. The Bush strategy here is correct not because the
administration does not have enough diplomatic capital to use to diffuse
the situation but because it is time to force the nations whose
responsibility is to take care of business in that neighborhood to meet the
threat themselves.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Talking trash
September 2005 will mark the 20th anniversary of the town’s involvement (and the conclusion) in NESWIC. NESWIC is the Northeast Solid Waste Compact and is an organization of 23 communities who banded together in the early eighties to build a trash to energy incinerator in North Andover. The motivation behind such a grand scheme was the state’s insistence that the communities should think longer term regarding the disposal of trash because for environmental reasons landfills were going to be shutdown throughout the commonwealth.
The communities took the state at its word and went about the complex task of negotiating a compact that enabled the organization to float bonds, build a huge plant and hire an operator. There was much optimism at the time in that this was a forward looking idea that would solve the communities disposal problem while reducing costs via the sale of the electricity produced by the plant as well as contribute to reducing the dependence on foreign oil by having more non oil produced electricity available.
A variety of events conspired to make those rosy predictions just that, to rosy. The state did not shut down landfills and therefore a cheap disposal alternative was still available to both communities and business. The predictions of energy prices and subsequent electricity sales were to optimistic and coupled with that was expensive environmental upgrades at the plant made the whole investment quite an expensive one for the towns.
I won’t go into the entire 20 history of the expenses but will give you an indication of the impact of finally getting out of this deal by showing you this years tipping fee comparison. As a member of the compact, the town had to guarantee annual tonnage delivered to the plant (11,000) and had to pay a tipping fee of $162/ton whether or not we actually delivered that much tonnage or not. After the conclusion of the deal the town will now participate in a five-year market rate contract beginning at $64/ton based only on the amount of tonnage we actually deliver. According to Robert Mercier, Burlington’s Town Administrator that will result in an annual savings in the trash budget of approximately 1 million dollars.
How this has been accomplished is by leaving the compact, the 23 communities were then able to go back to the operators of the plant and negotiate a new deal. After all where was Wheelabrator going to get 200,000 tons of trash? The new deal begins at $64 and increases to $72 per ton over the five-year life of the contract.
There are two additional favorable events relative to the trash budget. It was thought when the program began, that the recycling costs to the town would be off set by sales of the paper cans, and bottles that the town collected. Unfortunately as municipal recycling became more and more common throughout the state and nation the supply of these products far outstripped the demand and the development of markets for it. That has now turned around somewhat with large emerging economies in Asia contributing to the demand for these items.
The second item has substantially more positive impact. The towns that participated in the NESWIC compact had a fund set aside as a stabilization account to offset volatility in the tipping fee. That number turns out to be approximately 2 million dollars for Burlington. Mr. Mercier is aware that there will be competing interests for that money however he is inclined toward convincing the town that the bulk of that money should go to the stabilization account to prepare for upcoming capital expenditures.
The communities took the state at its word and went about the complex task of negotiating a compact that enabled the organization to float bonds, build a huge plant and hire an operator. There was much optimism at the time in that this was a forward looking idea that would solve the communities disposal problem while reducing costs via the sale of the electricity produced by the plant as well as contribute to reducing the dependence on foreign oil by having more non oil produced electricity available.
A variety of events conspired to make those rosy predictions just that, to rosy. The state did not shut down landfills and therefore a cheap disposal alternative was still available to both communities and business. The predictions of energy prices and subsequent electricity sales were to optimistic and coupled with that was expensive environmental upgrades at the plant made the whole investment quite an expensive one for the towns.
I won’t go into the entire 20 history of the expenses but will give you an indication of the impact of finally getting out of this deal by showing you this years tipping fee comparison. As a member of the compact, the town had to guarantee annual tonnage delivered to the plant (11,000) and had to pay a tipping fee of $162/ton whether or not we actually delivered that much tonnage or not. After the conclusion of the deal the town will now participate in a five-year market rate contract beginning at $64/ton based only on the amount of tonnage we actually deliver. According to Robert Mercier, Burlington’s Town Administrator that will result in an annual savings in the trash budget of approximately 1 million dollars.
How this has been accomplished is by leaving the compact, the 23 communities were then able to go back to the operators of the plant and negotiate a new deal. After all where was Wheelabrator going to get 200,000 tons of trash? The new deal begins at $64 and increases to $72 per ton over the five-year life of the contract.
There are two additional favorable events relative to the trash budget. It was thought when the program began, that the recycling costs to the town would be off set by sales of the paper cans, and bottles that the town collected. Unfortunately as municipal recycling became more and more common throughout the state and nation the supply of these products far outstripped the demand and the development of markets for it. That has now turned around somewhat with large emerging economies in Asia contributing to the demand for these items.
The second item has substantially more positive impact. The towns that participated in the NESWIC compact had a fund set aside as a stabilization account to offset volatility in the tipping fee. That number turns out to be approximately 2 million dollars for Burlington. Mr. Mercier is aware that there will be competing interests for that money however he is inclined toward convincing the town that the bulk of that money should go to the stabilization account to prepare for upcoming capital expenditures.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Book ends
You know your getting spoiled as a sports fan when your only complaint is that your team didn’t cover the spread. That’s about all that can be said about the Patriots victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
This is a remarkable time to be a sports fan in the region. The Patriots capped off a marvelous two year run (three Super Bowls in four) by putting book end championships on the Red Sox World Series victory.
It wasn’t easy however as the Eagles came to play and were in the game until Rodney Harrison closed out the win with an interception with 9 seconds to go. Harrison of course showed up with plays all over the field and two interceptions while the Eagles Freddie Mitchell (talked smack during the week) put in a 1 reception afternoon.
Terrell Owens who has to be the most obnoxious of the sports ego maniacs acquitted himself quite nicely with a really heroic effort in a losing cause. After breaking his leg on December 19th , Owens turned in a 9 catch day good for 122 yards. He would however be shutout in the points department.
The Patriots had many heroes not least of which was Deon Branch who tied a Super Bowl record with 11 receptions for 133 yards. This was familiar territory for Branch who turned in an equally impressive performance against the Panthers last year. It is amazing that the smallest guy on the field won the MVP trophy.
Brady was his usual collected self. After going down 7 to 0 and having some problems getting started in the first period Brady immediately answered the Eagles first score with a touchdown to David Givens. Later in the first half he hit linebacker Mike Vrabel for his second Super Bowl touchdowns in as many years.
Fittingly for the Patriots the margin of victory was a Vinatieri field goal in the fourth quarter which had followed Corey Dillons two yard touchdown run which together built the Patriot lead to 10 points. The Eagles closed to within three with a late 40 yard scoring strike to Greg Lewis over Dexter Reid. Reid is a rookie free safety who was filling in for Eugene Wilson who had suffered an apparent broken arm earlier in the game. Reid will be forever remembered by the gambling crowd for giving up a long late touchdown score which enabled the Eagles to cover the spread. Every bookie in New England could be heard uttering a long sigh of relief.
There were many Patriot heroes but two who stuck in my mind were Matt Light who completely dominated Jevon Kearse. One pass protection play in particular stood out as Light actually pan caked Kearse. Another star on the line was Richard Seymour who seemed to be in Donovan McNabb’s face all day.
All in all a very workmen like performance by a team which personifies unselfish play and a coaching staff which prides itself on preparation. That was evident in the second half as the adjustments to pick up Philadelphia’s blitz was the difference in the game.
The third Super Bowl win in four years. We are getting spoiled.
This is a remarkable time to be a sports fan in the region. The Patriots capped off a marvelous two year run (three Super Bowls in four) by putting book end championships on the Red Sox World Series victory.
It wasn’t easy however as the Eagles came to play and were in the game until Rodney Harrison closed out the win with an interception with 9 seconds to go. Harrison of course showed up with plays all over the field and two interceptions while the Eagles Freddie Mitchell (talked smack during the week) put in a 1 reception afternoon.
Terrell Owens who has to be the most obnoxious of the sports ego maniacs acquitted himself quite nicely with a really heroic effort in a losing cause. After breaking his leg on December 19th , Owens turned in a 9 catch day good for 122 yards. He would however be shutout in the points department.
The Patriots had many heroes not least of which was Deon Branch who tied a Super Bowl record with 11 receptions for 133 yards. This was familiar territory for Branch who turned in an equally impressive performance against the Panthers last year. It is amazing that the smallest guy on the field won the MVP trophy.
Brady was his usual collected self. After going down 7 to 0 and having some problems getting started in the first period Brady immediately answered the Eagles first score with a touchdown to David Givens. Later in the first half he hit linebacker Mike Vrabel for his second Super Bowl touchdowns in as many years.
Fittingly for the Patriots the margin of victory was a Vinatieri field goal in the fourth quarter which had followed Corey Dillons two yard touchdown run which together built the Patriot lead to 10 points. The Eagles closed to within three with a late 40 yard scoring strike to Greg Lewis over Dexter Reid. Reid is a rookie free safety who was filling in for Eugene Wilson who had suffered an apparent broken arm earlier in the game. Reid will be forever remembered by the gambling crowd for giving up a long late touchdown score which enabled the Eagles to cover the spread. Every bookie in New England could be heard uttering a long sigh of relief.
There were many Patriot heroes but two who stuck in my mind were Matt Light who completely dominated Jevon Kearse. One pass protection play in particular stood out as Light actually pan caked Kearse. Another star on the line was Richard Seymour who seemed to be in Donovan McNabb’s face all day.
All in all a very workmen like performance by a team which personifies unselfish play and a coaching staff which prides itself on preparation. That was evident in the second half as the adjustments to pick up Philadelphia’s blitz was the difference in the game.
The third Super Bowl win in four years. We are getting spoiled.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
I wish I were this stupid
The common theme in Massachusetts during the presidential election was the need to replace the bumbling fool from Crawford, Texas with our own intellectual, worldly, French-speaking war hero from Massachusetts. Surely the country would see the difference between the two. After all, the differences were so stark. A dangerous unilateralist provoking conflict throughout the world, engaging in a Viet Nam-like quagmire while wasting human lives and the country's resources versus an international consensus builder who recognized the need to build bridges to our European and other global “allies”. Diplomacy would be the order of the day and we would be convincing our antagonists with words not bullets.
As we all know now, the country didn’t quite see it that way. After the shock began to wear off the new mantra was that Massachusetts would be vindicated by events:
- Palestine and Israel would continue in conflict.- Afghanistan would be reduced to tribalism.- Iraqi elections would be a dismal failure and would require more troops to quell an ever-growing domestic insurgency. - As a nation we would become more and more isolated as a result of our cowboy style foreign policy.
In Massachusetts, both our junior and senior Senators seemed to not only expect such outcomes but were indeed cheering sections for it.
At home it would be more bungling:
- The economy would stagnate, - Cabinet appointments would be far right God nuts. - The third rail of social security would make Bush retreat and his judicial nominations would face virulent opposition. - All of things were likely to result in a huge flow of emigrants from the U.S. into the friendlier confines of Canada.
Well, so far none of those things have happened. In fact, it would appear early on that President Bush has begun to gather even more momentum. His State of the Union address was both bold and specific in terms of goals he wishes to achieve in a second term. The economy continues to improve. Some sort of voluntary program for Social Security looks possible, as does tort reform. Healthcare, AIDS and education all figured prominently in his address.
The Iraqi elections have been universally lauded throughout the world (except by Senators Kennedy and Kerry). Israel’s Sharon predicts a bold breakthrough in relations with the Palestinians in the near future. Additionally, both Afghanistan and Iraq have enjoyed substantial increases in economic output, which apparently are outstripping pre-conflict levels.
Contrast this with current state of the president’s opponents. CBS and other big media have been humiliated. The UN has been exposed as corrupt and ineffective buffoons in the Oil for Food Program and the Asian tsunami event. The ever-fickle Hollywood crowd had no Oscar nomination for Michael Moore; and George Soros is back to trying to destroy various nations through currency speculation.
Lightweight Sen. Barbara Boxer has become a leading liberal voice in the Senate, and raging Howard Dean is likely to become the DNC national chairman. Coupled with this is Sen. Hillary Clinton’s swift move to the right on God and abortion.
Sen. Daschle was replaced by Harry Reid as Minority Leader and he, quite frankly, does not instill a good deal of confidence in anyone. The Senate Democrats were reduced to embarrassingly poor losers in opposition to Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State and Alberto Gonzalez as Attorney General. One can only wonder how the Hispanic and African American communities viewed the treatment of these two
It might be nice to find someone as stupid as Bush to lead us Democrats.http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=4236
As we all know now, the country didn’t quite see it that way. After the shock began to wear off the new mantra was that Massachusetts would be vindicated by events:
- Palestine and Israel would continue in conflict.- Afghanistan would be reduced to tribalism.- Iraqi elections would be a dismal failure and would require more troops to quell an ever-growing domestic insurgency. - As a nation we would become more and more isolated as a result of our cowboy style foreign policy.
In Massachusetts, both our junior and senior Senators seemed to not only expect such outcomes but were indeed cheering sections for it.
At home it would be more bungling:
- The economy would stagnate, - Cabinet appointments would be far right God nuts. - The third rail of social security would make Bush retreat and his judicial nominations would face virulent opposition. - All of things were likely to result in a huge flow of emigrants from the U.S. into the friendlier confines of Canada.
Well, so far none of those things have happened. In fact, it would appear early on that President Bush has begun to gather even more momentum. His State of the Union address was both bold and specific in terms of goals he wishes to achieve in a second term. The economy continues to improve. Some sort of voluntary program for Social Security looks possible, as does tort reform. Healthcare, AIDS and education all figured prominently in his address.
The Iraqi elections have been universally lauded throughout the world (except by Senators Kennedy and Kerry). Israel’s Sharon predicts a bold breakthrough in relations with the Palestinians in the near future. Additionally, both Afghanistan and Iraq have enjoyed substantial increases in economic output, which apparently are outstripping pre-conflict levels.
Contrast this with current state of the president’s opponents. CBS and other big media have been humiliated. The UN has been exposed as corrupt and ineffective buffoons in the Oil for Food Program and the Asian tsunami event. The ever-fickle Hollywood crowd had no Oscar nomination for Michael Moore; and George Soros is back to trying to destroy various nations through currency speculation.
Lightweight Sen. Barbara Boxer has become a leading liberal voice in the Senate, and raging Howard Dean is likely to become the DNC national chairman. Coupled with this is Sen. Hillary Clinton’s swift move to the right on God and abortion.
Sen. Daschle was replaced by Harry Reid as Minority Leader and he, quite frankly, does not instill a good deal of confidence in anyone. The Senate Democrats were reduced to embarrassingly poor losers in opposition to Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State and Alberto Gonzalez as Attorney General. One can only wonder how the Hispanic and African American communities viewed the treatment of these two
It might be nice to find someone as stupid as Bush to lead us Democrats.http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=4236
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