MSNBC: Bill Walton: C's Won't Make The Playoffs

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

Preach on to the converted Brother Bill, but I would say if Pitino
keeps Battie in the starting lineup, substitutes Wayne Turner for
Kenny Anderson in the backcourt and acquires an All Star
player via a trade, then they can make the playoffs...
                Boston Celtics

                Last season: 19-31, missed
                         playoffs.

                Coach: Rick Pitino.

                Additions: Calbert Cheaney (free agent
                from Wizards), Kris Clack (draft pick),
                Danny Fortson (trade from Nuggets), Adrian
                Griffin (free agent from CBA), Eric
                Washington (trade from Nuggets), Eric
                Williams (trade from Nuggets).

                Subtractions: Bruce Bowen (free agent to
                76ers), Popeye Jones (traded to Nuggets),
                Ron Mercer (traded to Nuggets), Dwayne
                Schintzius (traded to Nuggets).

                Remaining from last season: Kenny
                Anderson, Dana Barros, Tony Battie, Pervis
                Ellison, Walter McCarty, Greg Minor,
                Vitaly Potapenko, Antoine Walker.

                Unsigned free agents: Damon Jones, Eric
                Riley.

                Walton's outlook: All the offseason
                movement by the Celtics were pretty much
                stop-gap moves. The loss of Ron Mercer is
                major blow and had more to do with
                finances than talent since he's in the
                final year of a contract. The Celtics'
                repeated commitment to stay within salary
                cap is hurting them. They've gone longer
                than at any time in franchise history to
                win a title. There isn't enough
                improvement to reach playoffs. Although
                Calbert Cheaney is a nice addition, they
                still have problems at point guard with
                Kenny Anderson and in the front court.
                Danny Fortson is a decent player and might
                be better in the Eastern Conference, but
                he won't make that much of an impact.