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December
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Cheaney, Chemistry, And Catch Up
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First, apologies for the delay in the availability of news over the past week-plus. First, I got a bad case of the flu, then it was the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. I'm better now, so the news is up-to-date.Calbert, Part Deux
I was going to write a column about Calbert's Cheaney's offensive disappearance this season, but I got partially pre-empted by a Washington Post story that raised the question. Basically, I agreed that Cheaney is having some severe problems offensively and that he should possibly be brought off the bench. I thought it would help him and help the Bullets' offense.
Well, since the article, Cheaney hasn't returned to his old form, but he is acting more aggressively. He still can't hit a 3-point shot consistently (just what does he spend his summer's practicing?), but he's aggressively going to the hole and seeking his shots. He's not just waiting for the shots to come to him. With this aggression is also coming some opportunities to dish to his teammates.
That's all well and good. Now, he needs to start seeking and hitting the jumpers, not just transition drives to the hole. So, we'll watch and wish Cheaney the best. A 15 ppg average should be what he seeks. I think he can do it, don't you?
Chemistry Is More Than A Science
Well, the Bullets finished the month of November with a 7-8 record. To be honest, I didn't expect much more. This team was going to need some time to mesh with all of the new faces. Then, there were the injuries to Muresan, Howard, and Williams that delayed the integration.
So, the Bullets find themselves in 4th place in the Atlantic. However, they'd be out of the playoffs if the season ended today. (Yeah, I know, it's a little early to be looking at that method of comparison.) Please, don't worry. There are still over 65 games left this season, and that's what this team needs--some seasoning.
Just what does that mean? In football, team chemistry and synchronization comes when a unit can work together for about 1,000 snaps. It's the same, in many ways, in basketball. A set of players must work together for extended minutes, both in practice and game situations, to get on the same page and work together. At least, that's the goal. Some teams never seem to reach that plateau. But the good teams do it.
I think this Bullets team will do it. They just need time. So, be patient as they work out the kinks and figure out where everyone wants to be on offense and where the help should be coming from on defense. And by the end of the season, we should be able to appreciate the beauty that this team of young stars puts on the court. After all, as Barkley said before and after the Rockets game on November 30, you can have talent, but that doesn't mean you can win. You must have experience to win.
Just don't be like a current Knicks fan, who are booing their team as the Knicks struggle in integrate their pieces.
Coming Soon...
Is there something you want me to discuss from my point of view? I'll talk about anything. However, I'd like topics. However, some future topics will include Lynam's bench coaching, why are the Bullets such poor free throw shooters, why is Juwan struggling, is Chris Webber good or what, could Chris Whitney start in the NBA right now, and other relevant topics. It will be fun. But if you have a burning question, "let me know."
wtf 4 December 1996
