Cofman: Vitaly May See A Lot Of Fouls

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

With both Fortson and Pot already foul prone, and the new rules
exacerbating the situation, I'm thinking the Pot-Fortson combo
is not long for Celtic nation...


      Boston Herald 

      Vitaly's plans may run afoul 
      by Mark Cofman 
      Thursday, September 9, 1999
      Vitaly Potapenko is looking forward to his first training camp with the 
      Celtics. After arriving via a trade one month into the lockout-shortened 
      season, he also looks forward to playing a normal 82-game schedule. 
      But Potapenko is not without his concerns as he prepares for his first 
      full season in Boston.
      The 6-foot-10, 285-pound center known for his rough-and-tumble style is 
      aware that the NBA's crackdown on rules governing post defense could 
      adversely affect his game.
      ``There's no doubt I have to make some adjustments to the new rules,'' 
      said Potapenko, who has been working out the past month at HealthPoint in 
      Waltham, the Celtics' training facility.
      ``The league is trying to keep the games from getting too physical, 
      especially down in the blocks.
      ``They want to open things up for more offense - take away some of the 
      physical tactics used to defend. That means the referees are going to be 
      calling fouls they have not called in the past.''
      Which begs the question. If Potapenko was foul-prone while officials took 
      a look-the-other-way approach in the past, how can he expect to avoid foul 
      trouble now as the NBA presents a kinder, more gentle product?
      Potapenko has tried to address the issue in his offseason regimen.
      After committing 38 fouls in eight games (184 minutes) in July at the FILA 
      Pro Summer League in Long Beach, Calif., he knew something needed to be 
      done.
      ``I've been working on my footwork a lot this summer because I know that's 
      going to be a big part of the adjustment for me,'' he said. ``What it 
      comes down to is learning how to guard your man without cheating.
      ``The league wants to see players using the fundamentals of defense 
      instead of pushing, shoving, kicking, elbowing - all that stuff.''
      All that stuff that has helped Potapenko survive during his first three 
      NBA seasons. Toughness, strength and the occasional well-placed elbow will 
      remain necessary tools for big men. The league's most physical players, 
      Potapenko included, will simply have to choose their moments to bang a 
      little more carefully.
      ``In a way the new rules put more emphasis on your physical strength,'' 
      said Potapenko. ``The stronger you are, the less you have to rely on 
      things that will get you into foul trouble. I think I'll be able to make 
      the adjustments.
      ``I'm looking forward to having my best season.''
      Potapenko's optimism is partly the byproduct of the Celtics' new-look 
      frontcourt, which added considerable depth in last month's six-player deal 
      with Denver.
      Danny Fortson, the league's fourth-leading rebounder last season, will 
      give Potapenko much-needed help on the boards.
      Antoine Walker will operate against smaller opponents as he shifts from 
      power forward to small forward. Tony Battie is the team's best 
      shot-blocker. Eric Williams, part of the Denver deal with Fortson, and 
      Walter McCarty will provide bench strength.
      ``I think we have a lot more flexibility in the frontcourt than we did 
      last year,'' said Potapenko, noting that Fortson, Walker, Battie and 
      McCarty can play multiple positions.
      ``We have forwards who can hit the boards and run the floor. Having both 
      is a big plus.''
      Particularly if the man in the middle is producing and not saddled on the 
      bench in foul trouble.
      Potapenko, 24, beginning a six-year, $31 milion contract, knows he's one 
      of the keys to the Celtics' season.
      He's prepraring himself accordingly.