Re: Season's Winners/Diatribe

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

It's not fair at all to put more pressure on Pitino because the Celtics
haven't won for 13 years or because they've sucked for six. He didn't 
have anything to do with any of those except for the last two in which
he's coached. He was given Walker, the third and sixth pick in the 97
draft (which has shown itself to be pretty thin after Duncan and Van Horn),
a bunch of long-term salary cap junk, and around $5M in cap room. (Don't
bring up Eric Williams because Eric Williams doesn't even start for DENVER).
This really is "expansion team" talent; probably what a typical expansion
team looks like before it's third year. Pitino has promised the playoffs
in his third year which is more than most coaches in a rebuilding effort
would do. 

The comparison with Bird isn't really appropriate either. If Pitino had
landed Duncan, then we could expect that sort of turnaround. But with
the draft position he had? No. 

If the Celtics play hard every night and get into the playoffs, and get
pasted by Indiana in the first round, for instance, I'll still consider
it a success. The Celtics are rebuilding through young players and it'll
be a gradual progression towards building a long lasting contender. 
If you want an instant rebuilding success (and second round of playoffs
means you're one of the top 8 teams in the league) then the best route
is to trade all the young talent for aging veterans. I'm willing to be
satisfied making the playoffs next year and keeping Walker and Pierce.

Alex

> Damn right my comments are extreme, but what or when is this matter going to
> have some sense of urgency?  In a sense what is being prescribed to here was
> the fact that the Boston Celtic organization has become an expansion team.
> Sure this comment gets thrown around on occasion, but the basis of this
> consideration is pathetic given the history of this team.  
> 
> They went from a title in 1976 to the bottom of the barrel in 1979, only 3
> short years due in part to the apparent absence of Hondo and a couple
> others, then back to the peak in 1981 with Bird and company, so why is it
> unreasonable to expect more out of the group in light of the 13 drought, and
> 6 years now of near bottom feeding performance.  The prior example they went
> from the top to the bottom and back again in less time.  I for one expect no
> less than success, and that equates into a first playoff VICTORY or more.
> Do any others here really expect to be happy with a first round bow out next
> season?  After watching the Blazers do it for 6 straight years, expectations
> now are for a deep playoff run this year in the Rose City and anything short
> of that even next year in Beantown isn't going to cut it.
> 
> Extremes yes, well you get what you expect, so it is about time that this
> wait til next year attitude get run out of town.  Next season is THE NEXT
> SEASON, and though I have no preconceived ideas about getting to the
> Conference Championships, it can't hurt to plan accordingly, and besides
> Cleveland and NJ haven't won jack crap in this league, so quit worrying
> about how their performance is going to affect the Boston Celtics next year.
> Once we start whooping up on these pathetic excuses for an NBA franchise
> butts, only the really good teams will be in our way.
> 
> Either get on board or get the hell out of the way.  The scenery never
> changes if you are not the lead dog; so let's quit sucking on that dogs
> fumes and expect something more.
> 
> Thanks,
> Greg
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Alex Wang [mailto:awang@mit.edu]
> Sent: Thursday, May 06, 1999 3:59 PM
> To: celtics@igtc.com
> Subject: Re: Season's Winners/Diatribe 
> 
> 
> Greg,
> 
> > Rick your clock is ticking, we all hate to a degree that the coach always
> > has to be the fall guy, but either you are going to be a hero to us all
> here
> > next season (me personally they have to get the 2nd round to be on a
> > productive improvement path, the playoffs were a reasonable goal this
> > season, now they got to win a round) or you are going to get your sorry
> butt
> > run out of town.  
> 
> This is a bit extreme in my opinion; if they make the playoffs in the third
> year, Pitino has done exactly what he promised. No one is going to run him
> out of town if they lose in the first round. If he misses the playoffs, 
> then he's in real trouble.
> 
> It's hard for me to guess which teams the Celtics will surpass to make the
> playoffs because it seems even most of the lottery teams will improve.
> New Jersey will be back in playoff contention if Jayson Williams recovers.
> Charlotte looks strong with their lineup in place and Mason returning.
> Cleveland will have Ilgauskas back. Even Chicago may be tougher if they 
> are successful in free agency and the draft (similar to Pitino's first
> year). 
> 
> Alex