Cofman: Kenny Anderson, Dave Cowens, etc.

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

      Boston Herald
       

      Anderson surprises boss Pitino
      Celtics Notebook/by Mark Cofman 
      Monday, November 1, 1999
      At the conclusion of practice today at HealthPoint in Waltham, the Celtics 
      will close the book on the preseason. They will fly to Toronto this 
      evening and open the regular season against the Raptors tomorrow night at 
      Air Canada Centre.
      ``We had a tough injury to overcome with Danny Fortson, but other than 
      that I think everything about this camp has been positive,'' said Rick 
      Pitino, evaluating his third preseason as Celtics coach. ``I consider it 
      to be the best camp we've had in terms of the energy level, preparation, 
      attitude commitment.
      ``But then again, after last year's (lockout-abbreviated) camp, anything 
      would have been an improvement. This year has been thoroughly enjoyable.''
      And not without its share surprises.
      ``I'd say the biggest surprise this preseason has been Kenny Anderson,'' 
      Pitino said. ``You know Dana (Barros), Walter (McCarty) and some of the 
      others are going to come in here in great shape, but Kenny did too.''
      Anderson attributed his improved conditioning to a personal trainer with a 
      track and field background whom he employed during the offseason. But when 
      the subject was brought up to Pitino, he couldn't help poking a little fun 
      in the point guard's direction.
      ``I never met the track coach,'' Pitino said. ``I do know we were on the 
      phone with him, but I don't know if it was one of Kenny's guys from Queens 
      calling or what. There definitely was somebody on the other end of the 
      line who said he was his track coach.''
      Big Red helps big men
      Former Celtics great Dave Cowens attended practice for the second straight 
      day, working with the big men. Cowens and fellow Celtics Hall of Fame 
      center Bill Russell each has left his mark on the team.
      ``When Bill Russell came in, it was more in an inspirational and 
      motivational capacity,'' said Pitino. ``With Dave, it's more 
      instructional. He's doing a great job working with our big guys.''
      Russell still carries clout in these parts. When Antoine Walker went to 
      lunch with him at a local restaurant recently, their bill was on the 
      house.
      ``I've gone to that place to eat many times,'' said Walker. ``That's the 
      first time I didn't have to pay.''
      Walker misses buddy
      Walker likes the chemistry of the Celtics' roster, but admits he and the 
      team will miss Ron Mercer.
      ``We were teammates (at Kentucky and the Celtics) and friends and I'll 
      miss him, but this is a business and that was a business decision,'' said 
      Walker, referring to the six-player trade that landed Mercer in Denver.