You guys know how I feel about most of the benchers. But Evans I thought might really be an X-factor. Thus far, he's not even Lindsey Hunter. Those spot up 3s he was nailing in the preseason are not going to be available during the regular season and probably even less often in the playoffs.

I don't know what it is, but that bench is weak. Maybe even weaker than last year. I REALLY want to see Delfino play today...

I know of no team in the league where the gap between the starters and the bench is even as close to as large as it is on our team.

I'm wondering if J-Max deserves a crack as well as Delfino. Just trying to find something that works. The bench played a combined total of 29 minutes in the first half and were 0-6 for 0 points. That ain't gonna get it done.

Kudos to the starters for pulling us back even, but we can't keep this up all year.

on the plus side in this otherwise kind of dismal effort thus far: 21 fg's on 16 dimes

What a great night of TV bball!

P's & Nets (a close one, but Fred's gettin on my nerves)
MSU & GT (a close one)
Duke & Indy (?)

You know, these NJ announcers are growing on me. I'm watching the YES network.

Any observations on Ben Wallace, my people? Someone give me their take and then I'll share mine.

now'll come the test, right? cause the bench is gonna have to play at least a few minutes in the 4th. the starters gave them back a lead...let's see what happens. i agree that we ought to see delfino and maxy. i'm not saying permanently necessarily (thoughh maybe that too), but the guys in front of them didn't earn any more time tonight.

oh ok. why is the bench weakness totally blamed on darko and evans?? mcdyess is supposed to be the # 1 scorer off the bench and he hasn't showed up. everyone's offense should feed off of him. i think it's time to run the offense through darko.

flip needs to rethink his use of the bench. in the preseason he was bringing them in as a unit. he was giving them consistent minutes and letting them work out the kinks. they were responding by holding and extending leads and starting to grow some chemistry. now he's broken them up and barely giving delfino minutes.

i agree with this point about the blame (though I don't know if running the offense through darko is a solution at this point...maybe it is). and i definitely agree that bringing them in as a unit, as in the preseason was working much better for them.

Because I didn't feel honest blaming it all on Darko.

Arroyo hasn't had any help, that's for sure. I think Carlos is playing pretty good tonight.

I think it's time for Darko to find a new hairstylist.

Would be interested in hearing your Ben observations. I'm listening on radio so I can't tell you much. : )