Re: Fats Walker

[Jim Hill <jahill@leasingservice.com>]

Good day fellow lister's.

This may be premature and I should wait for the response to media day, but I
would like to start the season with a positive attitude.  My thoughts of the
up coming season.

Walker comes of age this year, and comes in "in shape" and ready to lead by
example.  He insists that his good friend E. Williams gets quality minutes as
his backup.  This leads the other starters to encourage their backups to excel
as well.

Anderson has been working with a track coach and will be in the best shape of
his life.  He likes his new teammates effort and both teaches Turner and
learns from him as well.  Has his best year in the pro's.

Purvis is in a contract year and wants the gravy train to continue, somewhere.
 He will contribute up to the trading deadline and through the end of the year
if he want's to play next year.  Teaches the other "big men" how to play the
post.  He could win the 6th player award this year and could be a key to the
team if he stays healthy.

Fortson is also in a contract year.  He continues his improvement and adds
that degree of hunger to our forwards that we need.  We should see "diving on
the floor for loose ball's" again this year.  Leads the defensive effort for
the team.

Williams, Eric comes in and gives the team what he did before, but now with a
conditioning theme to it.  He gets Walker to meet him at Healthpoint every
morning to work out together.  The competitive nature of Walker drives him to
the best condition of his life.  Could overpower all other back up 3's in the
league. Williams also competes for 6th player award.

Barro's continues to be a true team player who's leadership and commitment is
supported by Purvis and Chaney.  Gives the team a solid bench player who
doesn't panic when on the floor.

Chaney brings an additional work ethic, team commitment to winning and
maturity to this team.  Can fill a role at 2 or 3.  Gives the Celt's a stable
bench player.

Pierce.  Becomes the best player on the team.  Struggles through the first
half of the season converting to a 2.  Leads the team in effort and opens the
floor for the forwards with his 3 pt shooting.

Battie is in a contract year and plays like it.  He learns post moves from a
healthy Purvis.  Decides that he wants to stay with this team and negotiates a
"fair" contract to allow the Celt's to stay intact.  Contributes some big
games against similar players.  Also competes for 6th player award.

Pot.  Earns the respect of his teammates with his effort.  Earns the respect
of the league with his play.

Turner becomes a fan favorite with his effort and pass first play.  Learns the
point from Anderson and Barros.  Teaches Anderson how much fun it is to play
team ball.  Understands "Boston Celtic basketball" because he is a local kid. 
Helps explain it to the others.

Minor doesn't play this year.  Stay's positive. Contributes in the locker room
and the community.

McCarty will lead the pressing unit with Turner and Battie.  When does he
start waving the towel while on the bench?  His positive attitude continues. 
Surprises people with the low post play he learns from Purvis. May see time at
center on the pressing unit.

Griffen and Washington work hard to get on the pressing unit.  Washington
opens the floor for McCarty in the post with his outside shooting.


Pitino now has the players to sub with. As someone else stated, let whomever
is out of shape sit on the bench until they are in shape.  No crap this year
from any player.  Play Pitino ball or sit down and shut up.  If I were a
betting person, I wouldn't bet against Pitino.  He is not one dimensional.  He
will make any changes needed to succeed.  The players must know this by now. 
The first player to make a negative statement needs to be released.  This team
can win, but they all need to be on the same page.  The heading of that page
must be "Boston Celtics Basketball aka team play equals team winning".

Looking forward to Tuesday.  <Jim