From: markham@brtph597.bnr.ca (Andrew Markham P205)
Subject: was Re: Paxson sucks (was Re: Phoenix is absolutely scary...)
Organization: BNR Inc. RTP, NC
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 13:43:43 GMT

Harry Koehnemann writes:
>(I Spike - Therefore I Am) writes:
>
>>that's because basketball is a TEAM game.  teammates work WITH each other
>>to win games.  you think the bulls just won two in a row because of jordan
>>and only jordan, don't you?  
>
>Yup.  That's because it's true and noone I know would argue it.  

That's because all of your Western Conference anti-Bulls buddies think the
same biased way that you do.

>What's the Bulls record in games without Jordan?  Is it even .500?

If you want to judge the Bulls without Jordan, you have to let them
play for an entire season.  You can't just remove the center of their
offense for a single game and expect them to play like he was never a 
part of the practices the have been having all year.

>>>In fact, the
>>>Bulls would probably be an average team struggling to make the playoffs
>>>without Jordan.
>>
>>definitely, because jordan is the best player in the world.
>
>So, what are we arguing about?  The rest of the Bulls (minus maybe Pippen)
>are a bunch of average players.  End of discussion.  

No, that's the end of YOUR discussion.  MAYBE minus Pippen?  He's an All-Star
and makes a strong case for the most versatile player in the NBA (anyone else 
average 20pts, 7 boards and 7 assists last year? -- and so far this year he's
close to 19 pts, 8 boards and 7.5 assists per game this year).  He hasn't 
fared well with the Bulls when Michael misses a game, but then again the team 
doesn't practice without him (except for a day or two) either.  And most 
consider Grant highly underrated.  One of the best offense rebounders in the 
league (only trails O'Neal this year) and had the third best FG% in the league 
last year.  He traps all over the court and then gets back to block the shot.

>Therefore, claiming that the Bulls current "slump" is because Paxon is 
>injured (the reason all this shit got started) is bullshit.  

Only given your twisted biased view of the Bulls.

Does Paxson hit the open jumper better than any other player on the Bulls?

If so, why wouldn't it be better to have him on the court than BJ?
If not, check the stats.

>They're not playing up to potential because they don't have that focus they 
>had in the past and Jordan and Scotty "I want my own team and my own 
>identity" Pippen are unhappy, for whatever reason.  Jordan comes around, they 
>win another title.  Jordan doesn't, it's up for grabs this year (and 
>therefore a good year for the Suns to be playing well).

I agree the team is a little out of focus, but after two strong Championship
seasons, it's gotta be difficult getting up for games night-after-night
when you KNOW you're going to be in the playoffs and that's all that really
matters.

>It's kindof funny, but that's what got this thread started.  I said it was
>a good thing for the Suns to be playing well this season since everyone else
>looks a little flat.  Some Bulls fan jump in with "Hey, Paxon's still hurt",
>which I replied "who cares, it's Paxon.  There's bigger problems to fix".

If I recall correctly, you didn't say "who cares, it's Paxson. There's bigger
problems to fix", you said something to the effect of "who cares, it's Paxson.
He's a liability."  

Could someone dig up the original post to back me up?

>Then, everyone jumps all over it.  I guess I'm just amazed that anyone would
>think that Paxon is anything special.  He's a spot up shooter that can't
>drive and plays below average defense (Jordan/Grant cover his ass there too).

More biased anti-Bull drivel.

>>he does do alot for the bulls, but he doesn't do it all, he needs some help, 
>>and he gets it from his TEAMMATES.  therefore, they win two championships in 
>>a row, while the suns sit at home and watch.
>
>That's because the Suns didn't have a franchise player ala Jordan - they
>do now.  They got as far as they could on "teamwork" (probably the best
>team from top to bottom in recent history - their second team would make
>the playoffs, 3 bench players are averaging double figures) and it isn't
>enough.  

The Suns have 6 players in double figures.  Barkley, Majerle, Chambers, KJ,
Ainge, and Ceballos.  While looking at the stats, I noticed that Barkley,
Majerle, Chambers, KJ, and Ainge average the most minutes on the TEAM.  And
Ceballos probably gets the nod as 6th man on the team (now that KJ is back 
and Night doesn't see as much time).

Bench players?  Just because they don't start doesn't make them 'bench
players'.  Get real.

>It's easier for CHicago.  Hell, the only thing between the Bulls and the 
>finals is NY.  The Suns have Portland, Seattle, LA, San Antonio, Utah, etc.  
>It's a little different out West.

The difference, my friend, is defense.  The West simply cannot touch the 
East in defensive strength, and defense wins championships.  Just ask 
Chicago and Detroit.

-- 
Andrew W. Markham (markham@bnr.ca)
Bell Northern Research, Inc.
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro