the loss to the Suns

["Berry, Mark S" <berrym@BATTELLE.ORG>]

I don't want to make too much of a four-point loss to one of the league's
best teams who just happens to be 15-0 against the Eastern Conference on its
home floor. Let's face it, we're not exactly road warriors. We got beat by a
good team on its home floor. Antoine played like a mere mortal after a great
start (the whole team looked sharp early).

Still, this loss does again expose some of the weaknesses that will have to
be addressed if this team is ever to win consistently, especially on the
road. You have to expect some nights like last night, when things just don't
go smoothly, when everything seems to be a struggle offensively and
offensive efficiency is low. The good teams win many of those games with
defense, something we're never going to do as constituted. I thought the
Celts worked pretty hard Monday but still gave up 62 in the first half and
110 for the game, and this was against a Suns team minus some serious
firepower.

The problem is we're woefully weak defensively at the three most important
defensive positions on the floor-point guard, power forward and center.
Walker offsets his defensive shortcomings with contributions across the
board, but when Kenny and Vitaly are off, they provide nothing. If Kenny
isn't shooting well, he's a liability. We still need bigger, stronger
defenders at those three positions (they don't have to be starters, just
players who can work in a rotation with the others so we're not so weak at
all three positions at once). I still think a Pierce trade to shore up one
or more of those spots may be the best bet this summer, but I don't think it
will happen.

A couple of other topics: Oliver Miller, heavy or not, always has been and
always will be a shot-blocker. He has long arms, quick feet and a great feel
for blocking shots. I'll take Big O over Tony Battie, who should be a
shot-blocker but isn't, any day. And to think most of this list was ready to
lynch Pitino when the rumored Battie/Bowen for Rodney Rogers trade was
floated. Wouldn't Rogers look nice in Green these days?

I've been a big Fortson basher and still think he's virtually useless, but
I'll give credit where it's due. Danny had his best stretch as a Celtic last
night. Phoenix was a good matchup for him without Longley. Their big people
weren't especially long or strong on the boards and didn't attack Danny to
put him in foul trouble. Regardless of the circumstances, I thought he made
a positive contribution last night, something he rarely does.

I've been trying to avoid getting too excited over this little run because
things can turn just as quickly. Two weeks ago, the Cavs were the hottest
team in the East (after Miller was inserted into the starting lineup) and
many thought they were going to seize that last playoff spot. Well, they had
lost six in a row before last night. I'm enjoying checking the standings
every morning, but I'm trying to remain realistic. The same kind of streak
could happen to the Celts.

Mark