16 observations and predictions....

[pio@edu15.coe.ufl.edu (mark piotrowski)]

Some observations after watching both games on TV.  Remember these are
extrapolated out for the regular season, not based soley on the sheer
outcome of the games.

1.  Walker makes the All-star team.  Avgs 23 pts, 10 reb, 4 asst

1a.  Walker looks like what everyone thought Billy Owens WOULD turn into
coming out of college (not what he did turn into) - a Magic Johnson type.

2.  Billups (once he gets comfortable in Pitino's system, which could take
as long as midseason) is the next KJ.  His build and game are carbon
copies.

3.  Bowen is for REAL!!  I say he's this team's Kevin Gamble (c. 1991-3)
but better.

4.  Blasphemy:  Pitino (or someone) changes the warmup uni's! Ugh.  Is it
just a matter of time till the real uniforms get a makeover?  Lets hope
not!!

5.  Cousy:  "DeClercq is Cowens before he got all the skills".  DeClercq
(my main man from UF) filled the lanes real nicely on a couple of breaks.
Pitino will develop him into a poor man's Horace Grant.

6.  Bowen, Knight & DeClercq were steals.

7.  Celtics will start slowly (13-20 thru Jan. 10) and finish just above .500

8.  Coleman is a real interesting guy to hand onto.  Huge and kinda mobile

9.  Ellison is the key to our playoff chances.  Remember this is a guy who
can put up 20 pts. and 10 rebs when healthy.  Problem is that's not real
often.  Looked good though.

10.  Dee, while looking kinda lost and rusty, will have a nice season
before being traded.

11.  Mercer was behind on offense (his shot wasn't falling) but his D was
real nice.  Blocked a shot coming from behind on the break.

12.  Mills is a better fit for this system than Williams would have been.
Fox would've fit nicely though too.

13.  Dee and Dana look hungry and ready to prove themselves.

14.  Dee and Bowen will start the first game, IMHO.

15.  Throw the stats and results out the window.  Pitino will be playing
the preseason games to accomplish 4 things:  (1) Find out what combinations
of players work best together, (2) get the C's in shape, (3) get them to
not be afraid to shoot the ball when they have an open shot, (4) teach em
the press defense.

16.  Blasphemy II:  The Celtics need new announcers for the TV games.
Cousy and Heinsohn couldn't keep up with who was on the court when.  They
seemed not to know each players number -- any fan who's been following them
in the offseason knows that.  And Cous and TH get paid to know this stuff.
Time to go guys!  Get some young guns who can bring a little flavor or
pizzaz to the games.  Their analysis was for the birds too.