Sporting News - Fan View - Boston Celtics

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

             Fan's View: Return of the Celtics                            
             JULY 30, 1998
             by NICK LEONARD

             You want to be heard? Well, now you can! TSN introduces yet
             another way for you to interact with us. It's the new Fan's
             View. Throughout the week, we'll let readers speak out as
             guest columnists. Want to get something off your chest? Put
             it in writing and send it to us at fans@sportingnews.com. Be
             sure to put "Fan's View" in the subject heading.

             Today, we feature sports fan Nick Leonard, who says the
             Celtics are poised for a return to glory.

             The names Rick Pitino, Antoine Walker, Ron Mercer and Kenny
             Anderson somehow don't quite match those of Bill Russell,
             Red Auerbach, Kevin McHale and Larry Bird. But while the
             current Celtic team might not achieve the feats of the great
             Boston teams of years past, it has quietly become
             competitive and will cruise into the playoffs when the
             season tips off. Here's why.

             The Celtics' 36-46 record in 1997-98 represented their best
             season in five years. Though the club had a new coach who
             had been out of the NBA for years, lost one of its most
             consistent players in Rick Fox and was forced to ride on the
             back of two young stars barely out of college, the team
             managed to win 21 more games than the previous year and
             missed the playoffs by only seven games. Their opening-night
             win over two-time defending champion Chicago proved to the
             basketball world that Boston would be back.

             Consider that in 1998-99, Pitino will be one year better as
             an NBA head coach. He will be able to work better with his
             third-year superstar forward, Antoine Walker.

             Walker, who became an All-Star last season, continued to
             improve from his rookie season, averaging 22.4 ppg, 10.2 rpg
             and 3.3 apg. Walker took the Celtics on his back and almost
             carried them into the playoffs. Though he has already shown
             himself to be the team leader, the young forward will only
             get better in the season to come.

             Rookie Ron Mercer had an impressive debut season, averaging
             15.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 2.1 apg in less than 34 minutes per
             game. Having played for Pitino in college, Mercer easily
             slotted into the coach's plans, and increased minutes this
             season should see Mercer improve greatly as an NBA player.

             Pitino's trade for Kenny Anderson might prove to be a
             masterstroke. Anderson has had little stability in his
             career since being shipped from New Jersey, playing for four
             other NBA clubs. His 12.2 ppg and 5.7 apg last season are
             not flattering, but he played for a Portland team full of
             more head cases than the rest of the NBA combined. Then he
             was traded to Boston just prior to the February deadline.

             A full training camp will enable him to get used to his new
             teammates and the Boston program. A career resurrection
             similar to that of Miami's Tim Hardaway looks likely.

             The Celtics also came up with the biggest steal in the 1998
             draft by picking up Paul Pierce (a projected top three pick)
             with the 10th selection. Pierce will slot into small
             forward, a spot Boston had much trouble with last season.
             After averaging 20.4 ppg in his junior year at Kansas, the
             6-7 forward was named a first team All-American. He was
             described by many scouts as the most complete player in the
             draft.

             The only troublesome spot remaining for Boston is at center,
             where they have lacked talent since Robert Parish left the
             club. The L.A. Clippers' selection of Michael Olowokandi
             with the first pick in the 1998 draft indicates that they
             will not make a run at signing free-agent center Isaac
             Austin.

             Austin filled in superbly for Alonzo Mourning in Miami last
             season, and was mentioned in trade rumors with the Celtics
             before eventually being dealt to the Clippers. Because of
             free agency, Boston has the opportunity to sign Austin and
             not give up anything in return.

             With or without Austin, the Celtics have what it takes to
             become an Atlantic Division power once again. A strong
             bench, led by Popeye Jones and Dana Barros, compliments the
             young but talented starting lineup. While fellow Eastern
             Conference teams Orlando, Detroit and even Chicago are on
             the way down, Boston is clearly climbing.

             Boston should easily be able to improve by 10 games next
             season and qualify for the playoffs. A return to the glory
             days for one of the most famous franchises in professional
             sports is not too far away.