TSN's Peter May report

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

May gives the celtics grudging props, but can't resist a few cheap shots (what else is new?)

Boston Celtics
Team Report posted NOVEMBER 9, 1999  <<...>> Print it! 
By TSN correspondent
Peter May
Boston Globe 
This is a big week for the Celtics. They have a chance to improve on their surprising start and also flex some muscles in the Atlantic Division. Even better, two of the three games are at home and the other is in Chicago against the Bulls. . . . 
The Celtics have been one of the top scoring teams in the league, thanks to an offense that moves and an unselfish attitude that has led the team to shoot better than 50 percent in three of four games. Coach Rick Pitino has been stressing throughout camp and the first week of the season that the team has to be patient, make the extra pass. For the most part, that's been the case. 
The team had 20-point leads in three of four games and, in two of them, did not trail. A different player has been the leading scorer in each game, again underlining the unselfish attitude Pitino wants. The Celtics began the week as the second-highest scoring team in the East (and no overtime games) and open Wednesday night with the porous Pistons at the Fleet Center. . . . 
Pitino, however, is concerned about the other end of the floor, which is not surprising. In their first -- and still only -- loss to Indiana, the Celtics were killed by the Indiana 3-point shooters. That was something the Celtics said they were determined to avoid, but Indy hit 10 3-pointers, including eight in the first half. The Celtics still are a work-in-progress on defense. Pitino wants them to react better when they double-team down low. . . . 
Pitino said he had the team he wanted in training camp. But less than a week into the season, two of those players are gone. Eric Washington was waived to make room for Marty Conlon, who was signed as Big Man Insurance even though he is on the injured list with some kind of team-concocted ailment. Then, Pitino waived Wayne Turner, who was signed as a free agent and No. 3 point guard behind Kenny Anderson and Dana Barros. 
To take Turner's place, Pitino brought in journeyman Doug Overton, who will, like Turner, do a lot of bench warming. Pitino says Turner will benefit more by playing somewhere this season -- probably the CBA because no other NBA team is likely to pick him up. 
While Turner was not going to play big minutes in Boston, he also had not excelled in the time he was given. He played the role of primary backup to Anderson in the first two games while Barros was out because of the death of his grandmother. Although the Celtics won both games, Turner struggled from the field and, occasionally, had trouble on defense. . . . 
The Celtics will get a big test Friday, when the Knicks make a visit to the Fleet Center. Boston already has an advantage; the Knicks have to play at Minnesota the night before in a mind-boggling scheduling situation. The Knicks will be ripe for a Pitino press plucking -- and the Celtics will have had a day to prepare and rest to do just that. Such are the inequities of the NBA. 
POSITION ANALYSIS 
Point guard: Anderson has been consistently good over the first week. He is a big key to the Celtics' season and if he keeps it up, the team will be fun to watch and will win its share of games. Anderson is shooting well, passing well and running an offense that is among the most productive and efficient in the league. Grade: A. 
Shooting guard: Paul Pierce opened with a 30-point explosion then slid back a bit, which is to be expected. He has shown no signs of not handling the move to the backcourt, although he had trouble with Reggie Miller, getting three quick fouls. Grade: B. 
Center: Vitaly Potapenko had a career-high seven assists against Charlotte. That's not an area of expertise for him. He is staying on the floor, which is important, because he's big enough and strong enough to hold his own. Grade: B. 
Power forward: After two big games, Antoine Walker reverted back to his old ways, and that's not what the Celtics want. He needs to take fewer shots, take better shots and be more of a set-up man and rebounder. Grade: C. 
Small forward: Adrian Griffin remains the biggest surprise of the Celtics' season. He fills up the stat sheet with one notable exception: turnovers. He doesn't make mistakes and is nerveless on the floor. Grade: A. 
Bench: The bench has been up and down. Tony Battie was terrific against Charlotte and disappeared against Indiana. Barros was invisible against Charlotte and played well in Indiana. This is the pressing/trapping unit; they did not seem to bother the Pacers too much. Grade: B. 
Coaching: Pitino says he likes what his team is doing on offense, and they seem to be listening to his pass-first mantra. But they remain defensively challenged, especially in half-court situations. Grade: B. 
INJURY REPORT 
Danny Fortson remains out until Christmas recovering from a stress fracture in his left foot. So far, the team hasn't missed him; they've won and held their own on the boards, Fortson's forte. Also out is Greg Minor, probably for the season, with a hip injury. He is not missed. Marty Conlon is on the injured list with a sore toe but is eligible to return at any time. 
WHO'S HOT 
Anderson has been terrific in the Celtics' first week, distributing the ball, shooting a high percentage, making crucial free throws and even playing some defense. 
WHO'S NOT 
Calbert Cheaney still is struggling with the Celtics' system and is not shooting well. He also still is having trouble adjusting to the new rules on defense. . . . 
Walker shot 40 percent from the field and did not even get to the free-throw line in the last two games after opening with two, well-balanced efforts. 
STRONG TO THE HOOP 
Pitino should keep Walker where he is -- at power forward. This is not a problem now, but it might be when Danny Fortson comes back. But Walker is more comfortable where he is and where has been playing the last three years. 
FEARLESS PREDICTION 
The first "big" game of the long season is this Friday at the Fleet Center against the dreaded Knicks. New York is playing well, but unevenly on the road, and has a tough game the night before. 
Look for the Celtics to take this one -- and then try to avoid the natural letdown the next night in Chicago against the HorriBulls.