“It’s not personal, it’s just business”

Posted by Annie Whittaker on October 24, 2007

‘Still the Money Man?’ ( NBAE/Getty Images)

As I listened to the radio today, I turned to a local sports program. Broadcaster, Alema Harrington expressed his concerns about Memo not being the 3-point shooter of last year that earned him the nickname “money-man.” In the second half of last season and during this preseason; his shooting has earned him the nickname (hopefully for a short-time only), of the “short-change man.” This is not a name I heard on the radio, it came from me. Let me tell you, I’ve gone through the same shooting slump in my own basketball games, so while it’s not on the same level by any means; I’m feeling his pain when it comes to losing that feeling when you shoot the outside shot.

For awhile there, I was “money” too. In fact; some of the women I played with would jokingly say money or Memo when I would shoot. Now they just say: “I’m open.” Strangely, the course of my shooting wealth and poverty has followed a similar path as Okur’s. I don’t know why. Well, I do know why I’m not doing well now; I don’t practice, but that’s another story.

Anyway, some of the other concerns that were mentioned on the radio were the lack of depth at point guard. Who’ll be the one to earn the back-up pg? Last year Derek Fisher could take the role. Do we have that type of player this year?

The guys on the radio also talked about leadership on the team. I think it was Alema who suggested Carlos Boozer is or will develop into the “Godfather” of the team. Picture it; Carlos with his cheeks stuffed with cotton (he kind of already has the jaw-line), scratching his chin, “never go against the family Andrei.” I can totally see that. Anyway if Carlos is the Godfather, who is Michael, Sonny, Tommy, Fredo, Rocco, and Frankie Five Angels? I’m no expert on the “Godfather,” but I know there are lots of you sports fans who can quote these things verbatim, so lets hear your suggestions.

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1 Comment

John P on November 27, 2007 said:

Annie,

I wholeheartedly concur with your observation of Okur. I am VERY disappointed with his play. In fact, I believe that he is actually a detriment to the day-to-day success of the team on the court. Let me explain. His 3-point shooting is horrible (33.3% as I write this). His defense is horrible, especially in the paint, which costs us points. He fouls a lot, which costs us points. He turns over the ball a lot, which costs us points. On offense, he just stands out at the 3-point line, apparently just to stay out of everyone’s way. He doesn’t work hard at either end of the floor. At 6′11′, he should be a presence on the floor, in the paint, and be a rebounding machine. But basically, he’s just taking up space. Why is he even in the NBA?

We need a center that will play basketball at a higher level. Fezz is a ways off from that. Jeron Collins needs more playing time so he can hone his skills. He’s a much better defender and rebounder than Okur, which is what we need right now. We have other guys to do the perimeter shooting. We need a real center.

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