upcoming season

["Art Silva" <arsilva@ix.netcom.com>]

> While I don't see the greatness of ESPN the Magazine like my son does,
> I will read it for this year only and not re-subscribe. If I were
> satisfied with great color photography, I would subscribe to Playboy.
> This latest edition had a one-pager by Dan Shaunnessy? that gave the
> familiar diatribe against Pitino and his many trades, suggesting that
> we are no better off than before and everybody should naturally agree
> because he writes for ESPN the Magazine.

It seems like every so often in search of things to write about these guys
recycle old stories and others in their line of work pick up on them and add
their own 2 cents. I recall basically the same story last year picking the
Celts to be the bottom dwellers in the east. I didn't agree then and I don't
agree with them now. Of course I am biased but if Pierce does not get hurt
last year the season would've been much better. The upcoming season hinges
on many things though, the least of which is new personnel. I believe though
with the new additions we have a better bench offensively. Last year though
the second unit was great defensively, it did have trouble scoring.
Especially when Dana was struggling with his shot. Now we have both Erics
which are a bit more adept at scoring than what we had coming off the bench
last year. Also Adrian Griffin showed quite the scoring touch during the
summer leagues. Where the questions really lies are with both Kenny and
Antoine. I think 'Toine showed some of improvement last year maturity wise.
His shot selection still isn't the best in the league but he showed plenty
by working on his free throw shooting. If he comes in in shape and ready to
work then we are in for a good year unless Kenny blows up on us. Kenny
really has to commit himself to the team something which I feel he has not
done yet. If he starts playing defense and running the break the way Pitino
wants it done the team will be greatly improved over last season. Ball
movement will be key in the half-court set next season. With Mercer gone we
have one less player in need of the ball in his hands to make a difference.
Battie or Fortson will be in there ready to bang the boards. Added bonus is
they both can finish in traffic. Battie I think will have an excellent
season playing mostly as a four. As it stand the Celts did improve
themselves. With the benefit a real off season, not the locked out one we
endured last year, the Celts will be in better condition to play Pitino
ball. I feel this team can make the playoffs and probably advance into the
second round given the right matchup in the first round. Gene has already
filled us in on the state of the teams in the east and I agree with his
assessments. Hopefully we are on our way back up marching towards hanging up
that seventeenth banner.

Art Silva