Celtics Center offseason update

["Ozersky, Joshua A" <OzerskyJA@corning.com>]

Steve -- here it is.  Why haven't there been any rumors posted?  nbatalk.com is gaining on you!  yr pal,
Josh O.

Offseasons have been pretty eventful in the Pitino era.  As a rule, they are filled with interminable trade talk about one or more of the team's stars, journalistic backbiting, speculation about the team's immediate future, and aspersions cast upon the character of Mr. Rick Pitino.  All of which are in abundant supply in this offseason.  In orders of importance, these seem to be the most significant issues:

1.  Moving Ron Mercer.  Celtics fans have genuinely adored Ron Mercer during his brief tenure with the Boston Celtics.  Quiet, unassuming, with no cel-phone-toting posse or celebratory wiggles, Ron has been hailed as a model citizen off thecourt.  On the court, he is an ode to athleticism, with his picture-perfect jumper, his rim-rocking dunks, and his high flying finishes.  Which raises the question, why would the team be in such a hurry to trade him?  NBA beat writers say Boston is not merely offering Ron Mercer, they are auctioning him.  The reason generally given is that Mercer wants too much money, and that Pitino's hand is being forced by skinflint owner Paul Gaston.  While this might have some bearing on the situation, it seems unlikely.  In a recent Boston Globe article, Mercer says that the Celtics are lowballing him with "insulting" numbers.  Standard negotiating smoke, you might say, but given the zeal with which the team has been trying to unload Mercer (rumors have circulated concerning Toni Ku
	Mercer played the last season as if the purpose of the game was for him to take 18 foot jump shots, and since signing with rap mogul / media whore Master P, has become something of a problem child.  Pitino's executive style is to use sticks and carrots to reward behavior.  Walter McCarty got himself an $8 million dollar contract for being obedient.  Despite being a much better player, Ron is going to get traded for having a bad attitude, just as Eric Williams was before him.  Pitino was clearly traumatized by what happened last season, which was the lowpoint of his career in basketball, and I think he is looking for character guys in exchange for Ron.  (That is one reason he turned down the Stackhouse trade and dropped his pursuit of Penny Hardaway.)  Or Pitino may use Ron to unload some contracts as a package, thus freeing up space for FA signings, also of "character guys" such as, say, Charles Oakley.  (There is much talk about getting a rugged 4 for Mercer, but this doesn't make any sense to me:  why mo

The Yearly Antoine Saga:  last year, green fans will remember, Bob Ryan, the globe's official curmudgeon, flailed Antoine Walker as a "punk" and used his imagined proxy GM power to trade him as soon as the lockout ended.  This year, Michael Holley, Walker's official homey and publicity flack (who also happens to be the Globe's Celtics beatwriter) had no sooner written a column celebrating Antoine's work ethic and trim physique then a story broke about the front office being enraged with Walker - who was fat, and had cancelled an appointment with strength and conditioning coach Shaun Brown (the very offense that got Eric Williams expelled.) What gives?  There was apparently even a call made to Seattle inquiring after sign-and-trade possibilities for Vin Baker, the five time all star who, inexplicably, has always longed to play for Boston and has even said so in print as recently as last week.  The trade apparently won't happen, nor should it happen, since Walker is the team's future and is a one-of-a-kind pl

Draft/Free Agents:

With the 55th pick of the draft, the Celtics selected a highly athletic, rugged shooting guard known for his defense.  Kris Clack of Texas doesn't have Ron Mercer's shot, but he was the best available athlete, and on a team that has Walker and Pierce, and a center whom I believe could score 20 a game if he got the ball enough, a super-shooter isn't needed.  Some critics, like the phlegmatic Peter May, think Clack may have a problem making the team, but I find this dubious.  Marlon Garnett won't be back, nor Bruce Bowen likely, nor do I expect Eric Riley to wear Celtic green next year.  Clack is tough, which you can't get enough of, and talented enough to be projected by many as a late 1st rounder.

In the FA camps the Celtics are also looking at Derrick Battie, the muscular brother of Tony Battie; Kevin Ollie, the heady guard you will remember from his services on behalf of Team USA last year; Adrian Griffin, the muscular, tough guard who was the MVP of the CBA last year; Wayne Turner, the mature-minded, selfless, heady, defensive-oriented Kentucky Stalwart….get the picture?  Tough, strong players who contribute to kicking the hell out of the other team and don't have big egos.

Who knows what August 1st will bring?  Mercer is a highly attractive player to a lot of teams, and a lot of teams have guys we like a lot.  Antoine and Pierce should be much improved, and will get more shots in Mercer's absence.  Battie's shotblocking and Kenny Anderson's return to form are the other keys.  Vitaly down low is a lock for 15 a game if the Celtics want it, and rock-solid defense on any center who plays the pivot.  My prediction for next season:  if Pitino can keep control to get some early wins, and the players buy in to the system:  44 wins and seventh in the Atlantic Division. But don't quote me on that!

Joshua Ozersky
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