Future celtics success

[Gregory Odegaard <grodeg@kalama.com>]

Mafiaso asked the same question before I; is everyone taking a break =
from the subject?  To possibly spark some interest, I'll comment on a =
heated discussion a sports-fan friend and I had recently about the =
likely rejuvenated Celtics.  I bet him that he could name 3 teams to win =
and 7 to make the NBA finals, before the Celtics regained their storied =
championship success.  Essentially the C's would compete, and or win a =
17th title before any other except the mentioned teams, 3 winners and 7 =
competitors did.  This is how sure I am of the ability to turn this =
franchise around and regain dominance.  My friend and I have known each =
other for well over 20 years, and can stick out the length it could take =
to see this friendly bet through.  My hope and expectation of course is =
that the Celtics will make me the winner of this bet in the next 2 to 4 =
years.  I believe the league could go through tremendous parity cycles, =
with onset of the salary cap/rookie contract/free agent free for all =
that could ensue in the next few years.  Anyway here are the teams my =
friend chose, of which I disagree on only one.

To win a championship before the Celtics:
Chicago (duh!)
LA (We hate to admit)
Miami (Because of Riley only)

To make the NBA finals before the Celtics:
(In addition to the above teams)
New York (While on Ewing's last legs)
Utah (They will return strong)
Seattle (If the team can play as a team)
Detroit (They appear to be headed in the right direction with Hill)

I only disagree in that Houston may have one more run in them next year, =
and be able to make the finals, before Drexler retires or Barkley dies, =
but generally I agree.  Again I win if the Celtics make either  goals =
before any other team except the above. =20

In this spirit of friendly discussion, give your feedback. =20

Also, I was very happy with the Draft results, in light of the fact that =
Duncan has stated many times of his lack of confidence in himself being =
a successful NBA center.  I feel, but hope of course otherwise, that =
Knight is a only a solid back-up center, and the Declerq signing will =
prove to be a tremendous move on Pitino's part.  Lastly I truly am sorry =
to see Fox, Conlon and Radja go, and hope due to the problems with FA's =
and the cap, that Fox or Conlon could return, after the beginning of the =
year. =20

See you in the funny papers,
"Ode"
grodeg@kalama.com