Peter May on What The C's Might Do In The Draft

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

He's out in left field with some of his comments...

Boston Celtics
Team Report posted JUNE 15, 2000      

By TSN correspondent
Peter May
Boston Globe

The Sporting News takes an analytical look at what the Boston Celtics
might do in the June 28 NBA draft: 

DRAFT NEEDS 

The Celtics go into the 2000 draft with several needs, all of them
likely to be unfilled by whoever they select if they keep the 11th pick.
They will get someone who eventually will contribute and make an impact,
but there simply isn't anyone who jumps out and can provide instant
help. The teams three main needs are: 

Interior defense and shotblocking: The Celtics were, for most of last
season, the worst defensive team in the league in terms of opposition
field goal percentage. That was primarily due to a soft defensive
frontcourt and no shotblocking threat. A Theo Ratliff-type player is
what Rick Pitino wants and needs, but there isn't likely to be anyone
available at 11. 

Backup, defensive-oriented point guard: The Celtics dealt for Toronto's
Alvin Williams at last year's trading deadline, only to have the deal
rescinded when Williams flunked his physical. But they need a guy like
him. The team is vulnerable at this position not only in the starting
lineup, with Kenny Anderson, but off the bench with Dana Barros. They
could use a bigger, Greg Anthony-type who can run a team, but also
defend. 

Bench scorer: Too often last season, the team went into an offensive
shell when the reserves came into the game. No one consistently stepped
up to provide the offense which, if they want, also enables them to get
into their full-court trap. You don't score, you can't press. A
consistent, 10-15 point bench scorer would be a gift. 

FIVE WHO MAKE SENSE 

1) DeMarr Johnson, Cincinnati: He's a 6-9 inside power player who can
help with the team's interior toughness and rebounding. He might also
allow Antoine Walker to eventually move to small forward. 

2) Jerome Moiso, UCLA: He's got the height (6-11) and size to be an
inside presence, but does he have the fortitude? 

3) Etan Thomas, Syracuse: Another bruiser who can block shots and,
unlike the first two, is probably a lock to be there at 11. 

4) Olumide Oyedeji, 6-10, DJK Wurzberg: They had him in for a workout
and he is an athletic specimen who just needs time. He's only 19. The
team does need more athletic players and this guy is one. 

5) Iakavos Tsakalidis: 7-2, Greece: He's the best foreign center on the
board and probably third best overall. But he would have to be taken
with the understanding that he might be unavailable for a year or more.
Pitino isn't a guy who likes to wait for anything, but this guy has been
likened to Arvydas Sabonis. 

DRAFT RUMORS 

Pitino is, understandably, not enthralled with his pick and has been
shopping it around. The problem is, of course, that no one else wants
the pick either. One possible exception: Portland. The Blazers want to
get into the draft and have an eye for Tsakalidis, who Portland would
not need right away. The price: Jermaine O'Neal, for which the Celtics
not only would have to give up their pick, but also a couple players to
balance salaries. But other teams with better picks (Chicago) also are
interested in O'Neal. The Celtics also have an interest in Vancouver's
Othella Harrington, who wants out of Canada. Again, the pick would not
be enough assuming the Grizzlies would even listen. 

THE LAST FIVE 

This will be Pitino's fourth draft with the Celtics and, at first, it
was his way to rebuild the team. But his first two picks are no longer
with the team and he traded his first round pick last year. Pitino now
has recognized the need for veteran leaders and the fact that he doesn't
need any more young players. That's why he'd like to move the pick this
year and had no qualms about moving it last year, although that turned
out to be a poor deal. 

1999: Kris Clack, Texas -- He went in the second round and played for
the team in the summer league. But he was not impressive enough to even
warrant an invitation to training camp. The team's first round pick went
to Cleveland for Vitaly Potapenko. The Cavs used the choice to take
Andre Miller, who is precisely what the team could have used: a big,
heady point guard. Miller not only made the All-Rookie first team, he
may, in time, turn out to be a real keeper. Grade: F. 

1998: Paul Pierce, Kansas -- This one fell into Pitino's lap at No. 10
and has been a real blessing. Although he has his lapses, Pierce has
developed into a bona fide NBA player who, with growth, has All-Star on
his horizon. When you hear other NBA executives talk about players they
want on the Celtics, this guy's name always is at the top. Grade: A 

1997: Chauncey Billups, Colorado and Ron Mercer, Kentucky -- Pitino took
the Celtics job a couple weeks before the lottery. He was counting on
Boston at least getting the first or second pick, which would have been
Tim Duncan or Chauncey Billups. Ooops. He got 3 and 6. Billups went
third and was gone by February because he wasn't the point guard Pitino
wanted. He should have known that. Mercer went sixth and was a solid
contributor for two years. But the team panicked and traded him to
Denver because it was convinced it couldn't re-sign him. They got Danny
Fortson and a future No. 1 in return. Grade: C 

1996: Antoine Walker, Kentucky -- OK, they passed on Kobe Bryant. So did
a lot of other teams. They were happy to get Walker at No. 6 and he has
turned into a solid, if erratic, NBA player. The hope is, eventually,
that Walker will ``get it'' and become the end-to-end terror that the
team feels he can be. So far, he's shown only flashes and has been
consistently terrible at the defensive end. Grade: B 

1995: Eric Williams, Providence -- This was a good pick at the time, No.
14 overall. Williams quickly became a starter and a dogged defender who
showed a great ability to get to the line. But then he ticked off Pitino
and was dealt to Denver for two second-round picks. He was welcomed back
last year in the Mercer trade, but the price was steep. He not only
carries a long contract, but he has been unable to find consistent
minutes. Grade: B