Bob Ryan On The State Of The Celtics

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

Before Bob makes an appearance, I'd like to note that Randy
Brown is out for a few games with another injury (ankle sprain),
and Bulpett says the C's won't trade away the draft choices
for anything less than an All Star.


Bob Ryan
Boston Globe - 12/26/00

2. BOSTON CELTICS


Began playing: 1946.


Last championship: 1986.


We're all so busy piling on poor Rick Pitino these days that one thing
has been forgotten. Nobody, but nobody on this earth wanted the Celtics
to win more than he. He has tried.


He never dreamed he'd be going nowhere in Year 4, but he also never
dreamed that so many of the players he brought in that he really thought
could play, couldn't.


You can't win in the NBA without some kind of inside presence, strong
play from a point guard, and solid team defense. In these categories the
Celtics are 0 for 3. And since Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce aren't
exactly Shaq and Kobe, perhaps a third reliable double-figure scorer of
some sort would be in order.


Rick keeps telling us what sweet, respectful people they are. Then why
do they so often play as if they have not heard one word he's said since
the first day of training camp? He also keeps telling us they don't get
it on defense. That, at least, is the hard part. They often look even
more disorganized and clueless on offense.


A Celtics game was once a delight. Now it is an ordeal. They are, of
course, just 1/29th of the whole. The league itself has lost its
moorings, having allowed itself to be held hostage by insidious
marketing types, as well as the ultra-conservative coaches, who
shamelesly attempt to pass off 80-78 (or even 65-56) games as defensive
masterpieces instead of the visual swill they are.


Next approximate championship date: 2150, or the signing of Yao Ming,
whichever comes first.