CBS Season Review

["Greg Odegaard" <gmodegaa@longvred.rmc.com>]

There is a very interesting column on the NBA page of the CBS Sportsline
site on grading the teams at mid-season.  I read from top down, thinking
the Celtics would appear near or about 20, as they have in most season
rankings.  Low and behold, they were ranked at 11!, with a grade of 86. 
This is right below the T-Wolves, Suns and Bulls, and ahead of the Hornets,
Blazers, Heat, Hawks and the Knicks!  Whether this is a fair assessment of
the how the C's rank against the whole of the league, I am not sure, but it
certainly implies that the team is receiving the level of respect we could
only hope for this early into the rebuilding process.  

Here is what was noted about the Celtics:


Boston Celtics (86): The Celtics could have been an A team but have slipped
below .500 and are showing signs of wearing out. The youth movement invoked
by coach Rick Pitino in a fullcourt, all-out, trapping defense like he used
at Kentucky does not work against the best teams. Antoine Walker has become
an All-Star, with rookie Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer also showing
exceptional ability from time to time. Walter McCarty isn't quite on the
same level and Travis Knight is proving he isn't a center. The key will be
if Pitino can keep this team playing hard through March without a total
collapse. 


Even more suprising was that this guy was close to ranking the team with an
A.  Hopefully they won't wear out as is suggested.

Tonights game is huge in the rebuilding process, with a close division
rival at home.  Here's to 20 wins before the end of January (25+ by the end
of February).


Later,
Greg