Comments on: Notebook: The Tragedy of Toine and Maybe the Best Story of the NBA Off-Season So Far http://celticshub.com/2009/08/13/notebook-the-tragedy-of-toine-and-maybe-the-best-story-of-the-nba-off-season-so-far/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:12:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Arvin http://celticshub.com/2009/08/13/notebook-the-tragedy-of-toine-and-maybe-the-best-story-of-the-nba-off-season-so-far/comment-page-1/#comment-7135 Arvin Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:19:43 +0000 http://celticshub.com/?p=2995#comment-7135 I still have a 'Toine autographed basketball in my room from his rookie season. Loved him as a Celtic, infuriated me with his lack of devotion to becoming more physical and for falling in love with the 3 points shot. I remember he was asked if he wanted to become Karl Malone or Scottie Pippen (inside vs. outside player). He picked Pippen. If he had picked Malone, he would still be playing in the NBA today. I still have a 'Toine autographed basketball in my room from his rookie season. Loved him as a Celtic, infuriated me with his lack of devotion to becoming more physical and for falling in love with the 3 points shot. I remember he was asked if he wanted to become Karl Malone or Scottie Pippen (inside vs. outside player). He picked Pippen. If he had picked Malone, he would still be playing in the NBA today.

]]> By: Harrison_Bergeron http://celticshub.com/2009/08/13/notebook-the-tragedy-of-toine-and-maybe-the-best-story-of-the-nba-off-season-so-far/comment-page-1/#comment-7009 Harrison_Bergeron Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:10:05 +0000 http://celticshub.com/?p=2995#comment-7009 I never shared most C's fans' hatred for 'Toine. True, he never DID develop his talent the way he should have, the truth is he just wasn't smart enough. He didn't have a great basketball mind. But the guy was a competitor, and despite his penchant for jacking up ill-advised threes, a good team player. Or at least a willing one, which is more than can be said for many "stars" of his era. I'll always remember how well he accepted going from franchise cornerstone to second banana when Pierce was drafted. I'll always remember him getting in Pierce's face before that amazing fourth quarter comeback against NJ. And, as much as I hated the Heat, Shaq, and Zo, I'll always be glad he got to win a title somewhere. Too bad he didn't have the brainpower to match his natural abilities... Oh, and I will NEVER forgive Chris Wallace for trading away Kenny Anderson and Vitaly Potopenko just when things were finally starting to come together. For Vin Baker, no less. I never shared most C’s fans’ hatred for ‘Toine. True, he never DID develop his talent the way he should have, the truth is he just wasn’t smart enough. He didn’t have a great basketball mind.

But the guy was a competitor, and despite his penchant for jacking up ill-advised threes, a good team player. Or at least a willing one, which is more than can be said for many “stars” of his era. I’ll always remember how well he accepted going from franchise cornerstone to second banana when Pierce was drafted. I’ll always remember him getting in Pierce’s face before that amazing fourth quarter comeback against NJ. And, as much as I hated the Heat, Shaq, and Zo, I’ll always be glad he got to win a title somewhere. Too bad he didn’t have the brainpower to match his natural abilities…

Oh, and I will NEVER forgive Chris Wallace for trading away Kenny Anderson and Vitaly Potopenko just when things were finally starting to come together. For Vin Baker, no less.

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