Onhoops: C's 6th In Atlantic

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

http:'www.onhoops.com/content/articles/Oct1999/mseast.html


                                       Atlantic Division Preview
                                          
                 October 8, 1999, Matts Stenback.

                 This division should be less top-heavy than has often been the case as
                 mid-range teams Philadelphia, Washington and New Jersey all seem
                 poised to improve their records. Miami will still be the team to gun
                 for as long as they have Zo Mourning and Pat Riley teamed up, while
                 the Celtics and especially the Magic look like they'll be left out of
                 the party. The singlebiggest question-mark is how the the Knicks will
                 respond to last year's surprising finals run, whether they can
                 maintain their newfound chemistry and tranform it into regular season
                 wins when they're no longer the underdog. <snips>



                

                 6. Boston Celtics

                 In: Danny Fortson, Eric Williams, Eric Washington, Wayne Turner,
                 Adrian Griffin
                 Out: Ron Mercer, Popeye Jones, Dwayne Schintzius

                 Rick Pitino has brought in Wayne Turner. How f%¤#ing surprising. More
                 and more, it looks like winning takes a backseat to college-allegiance
                 for the former Kentucky coach. I can't help but be a little
                 pessimistic about an off-season that saw Ron Mercer being dealt for
                 Danny Fortson. I thought Walker-Mercer-Pierce was a real nice trio to
                 build around, one that needed the addition of players like Fortson but
                 not at the expense of losing one of the three. Sure Fortson can
                 rebound, but who's going to score now? I guess Paul Pierce and Antoine
                 Walker will be counted upon heavily, but judging by Walker's
                 disappointing season last year, that could be very risky. Pitino still
                 insists on playing his pressing-game and no-one looks forward to
                 playing the Celtics, but so far it hasn't made much difference in the
                 wins column. More is needed in every department for the Celtics to
                 have fair crack at the playoff, the material may simply be too thin
                 this go 'round.