Celtics problems

[MetNut9@aol.com]

Look, it seems people beat around the bush and ask why the Celtics are where they are? There is 5 reasons:

1) some poor decisions by the GM Pitino. Great coach, poor judge in talent. Can you imagine still having Rick Fox and Wesley. i'm sorry, but a team of 

V
Walker  
Fox
Pierce
Wesley

with Griffin, Dana and Fortson and coming off the bench is far superior. Wesley is the post up guard your looking for. And Fox is a steady veteran presence who plays sick d. Battie sucks, I see the potential, but thats all I see. Kenny, i like him, but he is inconsistent, and stinks on D. Cheaney is one dimensional, Pervis, McCarthy, Minor, Overton all are CBAers. Dana is a good situational weapon. My point is, we have not made headway in the talent department outside of adding Pierce who fell into our laps. Walker has not matured outside of for one week this season. But the GM has not made headway, and we are going to lose Fortson in the offseason for nothing. Which in turn is losing mercer for nothing. Bad move. Griffin, Pierce and V are the only good moves he has made.

2) Antoine. He is like a race horse with a broken leg. He could be so great, but he is lacking one aspect that makes greatness. In referenceto the race horse metaphor, the broken leg is the hinderance. In the case of Walker, it's using his brain. It is not a case of maturity anymore. He doesn't think, he just does on and off the court. Keep your mouth shut and play ball Antoine, and stop gunning the ball. Go to the hole, dish, and grab boards. No threes, no forcing shots.

3)We are still paying for the deaths of Len Bias and Reggie Lewis. Those two players at one point in time could have been traded for picks, etc. Reggie could still be here wrapping up a solid career. In addition, locking up Barros, Ellison, and Minor long term hurt. Losing out on Duncan and taking Mercer and Billups, but that takes us back to point one. Our past is still haunting us.

4)Over looking Bird in the organization. how could Gaston and company turned their backs on one of our greatest stars. look at the success he has had in indiana. It's unfortunate ego's got in the way of Pitnio and Bird working together. That would have been a two headed monster that would guarantee success.

5) The last problem with the Celtics is a league wide problem. the leage is watered down, but in addition to that. Very few players care about the game, and winning. I'm not saying all, but a great many are down with limos, mansions, the luxuries life has to offer. A quick story to back it up. On New Years eve i wentto the Palace north of Boston, and low and behold, there is Tony Battie arriving in a limo, dressed to the hilt smoking a cigar, with a group of girls following him all over the place. He drank like a fish, and jsut acted way to cool. I'm 25 years old, and i can't imagine being given a guaranteed contract that Battie signed. No wonder he acts the way he does. Players are pampered, once they get their money, alot of them don't care where they are traded, there is no loyatly or passion. Battie was symbolic of all that is wrong with the NBA, rich on potetial alone. They have nothing to strive for. Championships are for suckers.

Derek