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(TSN) Peter May Celtics Report
The Sporting News
Boston Celtics
Team Report posted APRIL 24, 1999
Peter May
Boston Globe
Thank God for the Bulls. That's what the Celtics were saying as they
headed back to Boston for the home stretch of what has been a
disappointing season.
After losing twice in two nights, the Celtics had a terrible flight to
Chicago for their third game in three nights and arrived at their hotel at
5 a.m. But they still won by 29, even without Antoine Walker and Kenny
Anderson. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak.
Walker and Anderson may both miss the rest of the season, but Pitino is
still preparing for every game as if the future of civilization was at
stake. The Celtics continue to press, continue to run and will try to make
life miserable for whoever they play in the last 10 days.
They will have a chance to be a spoiler. After Sunday's game with the
equally clueless Wizards, the Celtics finish with five games against teams
fighting for playoff position. Three of those games are at home. One road
game -- at Miami -- should be interesting given Boston's 2-0 record
against the Heat this year and, especially, in the wake of their wild,
comeback win on April 16.
The other games are against the Pistons, Bucks, Knicks and Hornets.
Charlotte makes its only visit to Boston on May 5, the last game of the
season. Who would have thought a month ago that that game could mean
anything to either team? . . .
Two events off the court will focus attention on the team in the coming
weeks. On Monday, a malpractice trial will begin in Boston over the
treatment of former Celtics captain Reggie Lewis, who died more than six
years ago.
Lewis' widow has brought the suit, alleging that the doctors misdiagnosed
Lewis' condition and are to be held accountable for his death. The doctors
contend that Lewis deliberately withheld information that he used drugs,
which hindered their treatment.
Why Lewis' widow is even bringing the case to court is a question many are
asking. She says she wants closure, not money, but with information likely
to come out that will harm her late husband's name, it also seems beside
the point. Lewis and his wife maintained that the player never used drugs,
but already there have been several depositions which allege the very
opposite. . . .
The other event is a May 12 hearing concerning Tony Battie, who was
arrested on April 24 at gunpoint for refusing to move his vehicle at the
request of a police officer. According to police reports, the officer
pulled his gun after his arm got stuck in the window of Battie's vehicle,
which started to move. Battie will produce several witnesses that will
testify his vehicle never moved. However, when asked by the police to
move, he did turn up the music in the vehicle, which is not a wise thing
to do.
Pitino has stood by Battie, calling him "an outstanding young man who also
is a pleasure to coach." The coach said he is willing to let the legal
process take its course.
POSITIONAL ANALYSIS
Point guard: Dana Barros has taken over the spot from Anderson and the
team doesn't appear to be any worse for it. Anderson has better point
guard skills, but Barros is quicker off the dribble and a better shooter.
Pitino also is giving time to 10-day contract man Damon Jones and likes
what he sees. Grade: C-plus.
Shooting guard: Ron Mercer is back in the saddle after a bout with back
spasms. While out, Greg Minor filled in and did a decent job. He doesn't
have Mercer's shooting range or touch, but he has a knack for being around
the ball and making things happen, especially on defense. Grade: C.
Center: Vitaly Potapenko is going to be here for awhile. Pitino is
enthralled by the kid's upside and, even more important, by the kid's
incredible work ethic. The Celtics may have paid a high price for
Potapenko, but Pitino feels it was worth the price. Grade: B-plus.
Power forward: Battie is the power forward du jour with Walker on the
sidelines. He has started to display some interior toughness that Pitino
has been looking for all season. He's also the best shot-blocker and is
much more comfortable at the position instead of at center, where he tends
to get overwhelmed or overpowered.
Small forward: With injuries to Walker and Anderson, Paul Pierce has
stepped into the breach and put up some big numbers. His 3-point shooting
almost single-handedly won a game against Philadelphia and he is now the
No. 1 option on offense. He's still not going to overtake Vince Carter for
Rookie of the Year honors, though. Grade: B-plus.
INJURY REPORT
Walker (ankle) and Anderson (hamstring) have both been out for more than a
week and could well miss the remaining six games.
Mercer returned to action on Friday night after missing the previous four
games with back spasms. Out for the year are Popeye Jones, Pervis Ellison
and, probably, Bruce Bowen. Of the three, Bowen (fractured finger) has the
best chance to returning, but he hasn't played for so long -- he's been
out the entire month of April -- that a return is almost problematic at
this point.
WHO'S HOT
Battie has already got Pitino calling him `Theo Ratliff' and you have to
wonder how he languished in Denver. He's got gifts, especially
shot-blocking skills. He also had 15 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks
in the victory over the Bulls.
WHO'S NOT
Eric Riley is back on the roster but still can't find any time. He only
went five minutes in the rout of the Bulls. Pitino is hoping that Riley
will work diligently in the summer. It remains to be seen if that will be
the case and if Riley has any future in Boston.
STRONG TO THE HOOP
There is absolutely no reason why either Walker or Anderson should even
consider returning for the last couple games. The season is over. Pitino
knows what both players can and cannot do. Why risk re-injury when there
is nothing at stake. It speaks to the players' competitiveness that they
want to play. But that should not get in the way of common sense.
SEE A DIFFERENT GAME
Pitino now recognizes that he should have started pressing right from the
start and disregarded the fact that most of his players were out of shape.
He finally decided to do it anyway and while the team isn't winning, it's
still harassing and irritating opponents all the way to the final buzzer.
It's the way Pitino likes to play and it's a reminder of how it will be
next year.
FEARLESS PREDICTION
The Celtics will try to get to 20 wins, which still would be a statistical
drop from last season and not nearly the improvement Pitino wanted.
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