Impressed with T.A

[MF Doom]

The article on the homepage from the HErald really does demonstrate Tony's growth as a player and his maturity level. Three key points was him settling for a lay up rather than a windmill (him recognizing his history with injuries), him finally learning from a mistake, and what was most impressicve was him saying he just wanted to help the team. No matter if it involves steals, assists, rebounds, charges, or even passing out gatorade. He GETS IT.

Good for him

[Change]

The article on the homepage from the HErald really does demonstrate Tony's growth as a player and his maturity level. Three key points was him settling for a lay up rather than a windmill (him recognizing his history with injuries), him finally learning from a mistake, and what was most impressicve was him saying he just wanted to help the team. No matter if it involves steals, assists, rebounds, charges, or even passing out gatorade. He GETS IT.

Good for him

Even if you hate Tony, Thats just funny.

[snively]

The article on the homepage from the HErald really does demonstrate Tony's growth as a player and his maturity level. Three key points was him settling for a lay up rather than a windmill (him recognizing his history with injuries), him finally learning from a mistake, and what was most impressicve was him saying he just wanted to help the team. No matter if it involves steals, assists, rebounds, charges, or even passing out gatorade. He GETS IT.

Good for him

For all of TA's many off-court issues, I don't think he's ever been a problem as a teammate.  Pierce adores him, Doc likes him, Mike Gorman always lights up when things go his way and the team in general seems to have a soft spot for him.

As a player, I think he's shown more defensive maturity this year (still prone to the pumpfake though), but he has remained, and will forever remain, extremely turnover prone, which attribute will keep him as a fringe rotation player in the NBA until the last of his athleticism goes.

[Roy Hobbs]

Generally, I don't put much stock in what comes out of a player's mouth; almost all of it is going to be some form of a cliche' (i.e., "my priority is helping the team win", etc.)

Actions speak much more loudly.  So far this season, Tony has filled in pretty well.  He hasn't been great -- he's a terrible shooter, and he still turns the ball over and fouls too much -- but he's capably stepped into the rotation.

Tony is doing two things really well this year:  finishing near the hoop, and rebounding.  I still would like to see him in a different uniform, but he's been a net-plus this year.

[KungPoweChicken]

The article on the homepage from the HErald really does demonstrate Tony's growth as a player and his maturity level. Three key points was him settling for a lay up rather than a windmill (him recognizing his history with injuries), him finally learning from a mistake, and what was most impressicve was him saying he just wanted to help the team. No matter if it involves steals, assists, rebounds, charges, or even passing out gatorade. He GETS IT.

Good for him

For all of TA's many off-court issues, I don't think he's ever been a problem as a teammate.  Pierce adores him, Doc likes him, Mike Gorman always lights up when things go his way and the team in general seems to have a soft spot for him.

As a player, I think he's shown more defensive maturity this year (still prone to the pumpfake though), but he has remained, and will forever remain, extremely turnover prone, which attribute will keep him as a fringe rotation player in the NBA until the last of his athleticism goes.

Why do people always talk about tony's "off the court issues?" Has he really done anything that bad? I agree he is not a saint, but the things he has been in trouble for have been minor, when compared to what other NBA players have done.

[Amonkey]

The article on the homepage from the HErald really does demonstrate Tony's growth as a player and his maturity level. Three key points was him settling for a lay up rather than a windmill (him recognizing his history with injuries), him finally learning from a mistake, and what was most impressicve was him saying he just wanted to help the team. No matter if it involves steals, assists, rebounds, charges, or even passing out gatorade. He GETS IT.

Good for him

For all of TA's many off-court issues, I don't think he's ever been a problem as a teammate.  Pierce adores him, Doc likes him, Mike Gorman always lights up when things go his way and the team in general seems to have a soft spot for him.

As a player, I think he's shown more defensive maturity this year (still prone to the pumpfake though), but he has remained, and will forever remain, extremely turnover prone, which attribute will keep him as a fringe rotation player in the NBA until the last of his athleticism goes.

Why do people always talk about tony's "off the court issues?" Has he really done anything that bad? I agree he is not a saint, but the things he has been in trouble for have been minor, when compared to what other NBA players have done.

I was wondering the same thing.  What are the things that he has been in trouble for?  I forget.

[Roy Hobbs]

The article on the homepage from the HErald really does demonstrate Tony's growth as a player and his maturity level. Three key points was him settling for a lay up rather than a windmill (him recognizing his history with injuries), him finally learning from a mistake, and what was most impressicve was him saying he just wanted to help the team. No matter if it involves steals, assists, rebounds, charges, or even passing out gatorade. He GETS IT.

Good for him

For all of TA's many off-court issues, I don't think he's ever been a problem as a teammate.  Pierce adores him, Doc likes him, Mike Gorman always lights up when things go his way and the team in general seems to have a soft spot for him.

As a player, I think he's shown more defensive maturity this year (still prone to the pumpfake though), but he has remained, and will forever remain, extremely turnover prone, which attribute will keep him as a fringe rotation player in the NBA until the last of his athleticism goes.

Why do people always talk about tony's "off the court issues?" Has he really done anything that bad? I agree he is not a saint, but the things he has been in trouble for have been minor, when compared to what other NBA players have done.

I was wondering the same thing.  What are the things that he has been in trouble for?  I forget.

1.  Prior to getting drafted, he was arrested for assault, obstruction, and resisting an officer for his role in a riot.  This followed some undisclosed "trouble" that led to Tony transferring to Oklahoma State from Butler.

2.  While with the Celtics, he was arrested and tried for aggravated battery -- but was ultimately acquitted -- for his role in another brawl, this time in Chicago.  One of Tony's acquaintances shot another man (twice), allegedly at the direction of Tony.  As I recall, Tony is alleged to have broken somebody's eye socket in the fight.

3.  Members of Tony's crew were linked to a fatal shooting in Chicago.

4.  Tony received death threats while in Chicago last season during the playoffs, leading to the team needing to bring in extra security. 

5.  Tony got into a screaming match with Marc Spears during last year's playoffs, uttering the ever popular "Don’t let me hear my name coming out of your mouth".

Off the court, Tony is a classic thug, who associates with other thugs.  Of course, that has little to do with what he does on the court (other than the distractions he causes to the team), but it does explain why a lot of people don't like him.

[2short]

Well if the glass is half full....paul was a la "thug" who was stabbed multiple times in the chest 

But I'm glad we didn't trade tony for the p&b sandwich that some people were calling for.  To me if he can off. rebound, run the floor AND play good d on opposing big guards he worth it to hold on to.  He is relatively affordable and can always be packaged for someone  better.  If some Dr can only meld together eddie & tony

[Change]

How do you define a thug Roy? A thug is a criminal. Tony is no Criminal or he'd be in jail.

[2short]

How do you define a thug Roy? A thug is a criminal. Tony is no Criminal or he'd be in jail.

uh see #'s 1-4

[Roy Hobbs]

How do you define a thug Roy? A thug is a criminal. Tony is no Criminal or he'd be in jail.

So, you can't be a thug without being in jail?  That doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

[snively]

How do you define a thug Roy? A thug is a criminal. Tony is no Criminal or he'd be in jail.

Tony's done everything but go to jail.  Busting eye-sockets, telling cronys to "f him up," getting into money problems that resulted in death threats from organized crime in Chicago.

I love Tony but he's been flirting with a criminal record for years.

[MF Doom]

He is a product of his environment which is inner city chicago. A rough and violent place to be raised. Notice  how most of those allogations involved him AND his friends. He does need to surround himself with people of better character but that is easier said than done. Looking at where he is in his life now and how he has over came numerous injuries to have quite an impact for us this year, I would say it is unfair to label him as a thug because of past situations. More of a troubled youth if anything that has done a good job of turning it around this year.

[housecall]

Dwade grew up basically in the same environment,had a mother who was drug addicted when he was a young boy.She even spent time in prison.DWade had it rough for most of his young years.I watched an ESPN special on it back in the summer.It was a very good story for young,troubled youths who are looking to redirect their lives to watch.Wade's mother eventually got her life together and seems to be doing ok.I think she is a minister now.Point being is DWade never went down that dark path.He figured it out for himself and made all the right choices.And thats what life is all about,choices.We can all go down the wrong road,no matter where your upbringing is.Im not saying that Tony is a thug but im saying he makes his own choices,not the environment he lives.

[Change]

Not a lot of 'Thugs' have bachelor's degree. If anything Tony is a success story.