Oregon Live: C's to FINISH 26 - 56

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

They can't guard anyone, take too many bad shots, and look for
the overbearing Pitino to be jettisoned.....


Oregon Live -- Sports -- NBA




      Boston Celtics
      Notes
      Stats
      Schedule
      Roster
      Last Year: 19-31, 6th place in Atlantic Division

      Key Losses: F Ron Mercer (Denver), F Popeye Jones (Denver)

      Key Additions: F Danny Fortson (Denver), G Calbert Cheaney (Washington)

      Coach: Rick Pitino
            Starters:
            PG Kenny Anderson
            SG Paul Pierce
            SF Antoine Walker
            PF Danny Fortson
            C Vitaly PotapenkoKey Reserves:
            PG Dana Barros
            SG Greg Minor
            SF Eric Williams
            C Tony Battie

      Three reasons they'll be better:
       Young stars in Pierce, Walker and (arguably) Fortson and Potapenko, who 
      can make a serious step up.

       Outstanding firepower off the bench with Barros and Williams.

       Pressure defense causes problems for opponents not used to seeing 
      full-court D.

      Three reasons they'll be worse:

       Walker, possibly the league's most overrated player, continues to play as 
      though his goal is to lead the league in missed shots.

       In Potapenko, Fortson and Anderson, the Celtics don't have the players to 
      fit their system.

       Pretty much everyone other than Pierce is overmatched defensively, which 
      is why they need the full-court press in the first place.

      Crystal ball: After Captain Pitino once again sails the Celtic ship to the 
      bottom of the Atlantic, look for Boston to jettison their overbearing 
      coach.

      Outlook: They have young talent here, especially offensively, but that 
      doesn't change the fact that they take bad shots and can't guard anybody.
       26-56, 6th place in Atlantic Division.

      -- By John Hollinger of Oregon Live