Celtics Shakedown Cruise from ESPN Celtics Message Board

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

I couldn't have said it better myself....
        
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              Shakedown Cruise Version 1A 
              New_England   (209 Msgs) 8:40AM PDT, 
            Aug 6, 1999
              
            11455 of 11602   
            

            Here's what I perceive to be the Celtics 
            starting and bench lineup heading out of 
            training camp: 

            I see the starting lineup as: 

            C - Fortson = Rebounding 

            PF - Battie = Shot Blocking 

            SF - Walker = Scoring and waiting for a trade 

            SG - Pierce = Scoring 

            PG - Anderson = One last chance 

            So the Celtics have rebounding, scoring, 
            scoring, and shotblocking in their starting 
            lineup - not bad. 

            Off the bench, we see: 

            C - Potapenko = Pitino starts Fortson over him 
            because Danny Boy provides more rebounding. 

            PF - McCarty = Pitino opts for quickness, 
            with Potapenko manning the middle. 

            SF - Williams = Scoring, as Pitino begins the 
            process of rehabilitating his career and imparting some trade value. 


            SG - Cheney = Defense/Veteran Leadership; Another rehabiltation 
            project for Pitino. 

            PG - Wayne Turner = Defense; minutes will 
            increase if Kenny falters. 


            Heading elsewhere I: Pervis Ellison, Dana Barros, and Greg Minor 

            Ellison is supposedly attractive to other teams 
            because his contract is up. 

            Barros gets dealt as Pitino stresses the defensive and passing 
            skills of Wayne Turner. 

            Greg retires - C's bring in some more inventory 
            with his cap space. 


            Adrian Griffin and Eric Washington = 
            specialists and members of the injured 
            reserve. 

            Heading elsewhere II: 

            Antoine, if there's an impact SF or SG offered 
            for him. 

            Fortson, if the February trading deadline comes around as he's still 
            not signed to a contract. 

            Battie - See Fortson comment. 

            Potapenko - If Pitino feels comfortable with 
            Fortson as the starting center and is looking to make a major trade 
            in February - Certainly 
            a likelihood with Pitino, you could see the 
            Denver pick, a Celtics pick and V all packaged 
            for some veteran player who will increase their 
            chances of making an impact in the playoffs. 

            Kenny Anderson - If he finally shows up in shape 
            and actually plays defense and finally grasps 
            what Pitino wants him to do, then he'll be 
            dealt - Of course, it's Pitino after all and you have to respect his 
            ability to deal players 
            when they're at their optimum value. Plus, Anderson's contract's is 
            too large of a 
            a cap burden to keep him around, and I have a 
            feeling Wayne Turner will be terrific in this 
            system. 



           
       

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