Dell'Apa on Kenny

[opi@unesco.org]

Anderson feels hamstrung
By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff, 1/7/2000

WALTHAM - Once a professional athlete realizes his performing days are
numbered, his maturity rate usually accelerates and his tactical
awareness increases. Kenny Anderson has exemplified this axiom, becoming
a multidimensional player, leader, and all-around good example for his
younger Celtic teammates this season.

But Anderson is about to receive a severe test. The point guard is
probable for tonight's game at the FleetCenter against Sacramento, but
his strained hamstring could limit his contribution. This is a
particularly crucial time for Anderson, since the starting lineup
appears to be finding some consistency. The Celtics had a two-game
winning streak snapped in a 96-88 loss at New York Tuesday, but they
have set the tempo in recent contests.

''I've been having problems with it for the last year and a half,''
Anderson said of his hamstring. ''It's weird, because I've done
everything to prevent it from happening, and then it happened in New
York. I've kept up a steady routine, leg  curls, leg presses - maybe
that has something to do with it, who knows? But I'm going to play.''

So, Anderson will be trying to find a balance. Can he be effective
without risking further injury?

''Mentally, I just have to forget about it,'' Anderson said. ''If it
gets worse, I'll just have to pull up and tell the coach I can't go.

''But this is an important stretch for us. We are playing well at home,
and now we are playing well on the road. We played well on the road
against a good team, and we can't close the door on that. I want to be
part of it, even if it is just to run the team, pass the ball, and play
defense.''

Anderson has shown that he can be effective on the perimeter. But point
guards cannot be effective without the threat of penetrating. Anderson,
though, might have to become even more selective about driving to the
basket.

''I'm just trying to do what the coaching staff wants me to do,''
Anderson said. ''I've been playing steady, consistent. I still think I
can do a lot more to help the  team. I've been doing a lot of defending.
I've been patient in my game, and that's why I'm shooting a good
percentage.

''Everyone said I played well against the Knicks but the point is to win
the game. I've lost three, four, five straight there, and Boston has
lost 15 straight. It's been a long time for me, and I really wanted to
end that streak. Not to say I don't play hard against every team, but
[the Knicks] were a vulnerable team after taking a vacation and we just
didn't execute on defense.

''I'm about winning. And a turning point for this team is just around
the corner. We have to be serious about every play. It has to be like
every play is our last play, and we have to do it with straight-up
urgency.''

The Celtics will also have to display durability. Anderson, Adrian
Griffin, and Antoine Walker are the only Celtics who have started every
game this season.

''To make the playoffs, you are talking about 42-43 wins,'' Anderson
said. ''But you can't look that far ahead, because it seems like a lot.
It's a marathon, not a sprint. We are going to have to play hard every
game, every possession.''

Anderson considers Sacramento ''probably the best passing team in the
league.'' But Anderson and Dana Barros outdueled Sacramento's point
guards in a 114-101 loss at Sacramento Dec. 28.

''I don't get caught up in that,'' Anderson said. ''If I play my game,
they have to adjust to me.''