The Celtics Next Year

["Brian Boisvert" <brianb@stylus.com>]

For what it's worth, I'm pretty excited about next year.  Assuming that   
there are no major trades (a pretty big assumption, as I'm sure there   
will be one or two), here's how I see the Cs looking next year:

POINT GUARD:  Looks like Rick got his man -- Billups will be the point   
guard of the future for this team.  Look for Brown (and possibly Barros)   
to log time in this spot also while Chauncey gets up to speed in the NBA.   
 It seems that Pitino is very impressed with Barros and will likely keep   
him, but I'm pretty sure he'll try hard to move Brown.  Sadly, I'm pretty   
certain that we'll be playing against David Wesley in Charlotte next year   
. . .

SHOOTING GUARD:  Nice smokescreen, Rick!  Ron Mercer is a Celtic and I   
couldn't be happier.  Personally, I hope we see Barros and Mercer sharing   
this position equally.  That is an awesome one-two punch at the 2   
position!  It's hard to get a read on what he thinks of Minor.  I know   
he's made comments about him not being in shape yet, etc. but he didn't   
seem upset or discouraged.  However, I expect that he'll try to move   
Minor (a player that I think still has some trade value, as his contract   
isn't too huge and he is extremely athletic, if a little raw).

SMALL FORWARD:  Eric Williams is the man.  I figure this will be a   
breakout year for Eric, where he shows everyone that he can live up to   
his potential.  Pitino says that he's in great shape.  Do we resign Rick   
Fox?  Personally, I'd like to -- I like his skills and leadership.  But,   
does Pitino want to drop $$$$ and a long-term deal on someone who not a   
"superstar"?  Unfortunately, I don't see Rick wearing Celtics green next   
year.

POWER FORWARD:  'Toine!  'Toine!  'Toine!  'nuff said.

CENTER:  Pervis!  Pervis!  Pervis!    :)   Well, obviously here's a big   
hole.  Pitino said last night that he'll probably go the "15-fouls" route   
and spend next year without a good center.  I think that logic is sound,   
since there isn't much else we can do.  Look for us to go with Ellison   
(if we can't move him), Conlon (I think Rick will resign him cheaply),   
and a project player (Ben Pepper?).  Michael Cage can log 15 mins a night   
also, if the Dino trade gets straightened out.

THE DINO SITUATION:  Well, looks like the Cs have asked the league to   
intervene.  Either way, I don't see Dino returning.  Either he passes the   
physical and goes to Philly, or Pitino works something out with Dino and   
the league where he goes back to Europe and we get to dump some or all of   
his salary.

GONE FOR GOOD:  Brickowski, Hamer, Day, Driggers, Hawkins, Lister, Szabo,   
Wesley, and most likely Radja and Fox.


PG: Billups, Brown
SG: Mercer, Barros, Minor
SF: Williams, Fox?, Spoon?
PF: Walker, Conlon
C: Ellison, Conlon, Cage?, Pepper?


PEOPLE IT WOULD BE NICE TO TRADE:  Brown, Minor, Ellison

BIG HOLES:  Well, for the first time in a while, I can say that we're all   
set at a position.  I'm very excited about a Mercer/Barros combo at SG.   
 I wouldn't mind picking up a cheap backup point, maybe even someone with   
a lot of age and experience like Mugsy.  I'd like someone to teach   
Billups the ropes and lesson some of the pressure on him.  Of course,   
we'd have to move Brown first.  If we get 'Spoon or resign Fox, SF is all   
set too.  I'd like to pick up a big PF/C-type player, but that may have   
to wait until next year.  Also, maybe Rick can come up with some sort of   
impressive center project.  Hey, what's Tommy Hamilton up to these days?   
  :)

Another great thing is that the Cs are starting to rebuild, are going in   
the right direction, are going to be exciting to watch, and yet -- they   
still may miss the playoffs!  There's the possibility of yet another   
lottery pick next year.

Of course, all of this will be moot if Rick trades away half of the team   
to the Bulls next week... Stay tuned.

 --Brian
brianb@stylus.com