Joe Forte on NBA.COM

["j.hironaka" <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

On NBA.Com, Joe Forte admits he wasn't "fortissimo" in his four minute 
outing against Baron Davis.

Hardaway and Nash won't be a picnic either, but chances are it won't hurt 
to throw Forte to the wolves in games like these that don't count. It's not 
like he has a confidence problem.

The transition to point guard has to be the toughest in the world, but 
someday he might be a lot better than Steve Kerr or John Paxson. He's 
barely 20-years-old and there are other guys on his side that can pass the 
ball. Don't sweat it. Throw him to the wolves, but let's be patient. 
Eventually, his Tarheals pedigree will show through. Like maybe in about 
three years or so. ;-)

Hoping for the best, but fearing the worst from our rookies tonight. Go 
CELTICS!

------

 From the Celts page at NBA.COM

When he found his way to the defensive end of the floor for the first time 
a few moments later, Charlotte point guard Baron Davis posted the rookie up 
and backed him in for a lay up.

Forte was just a few pounds too light.

"It was quick and brutal," said Forte. "Baron is strong, but so is 
everybody else. It is a different game. I just look at it as a learning 
experience, and it won't happen like that next time."

"I wasn't comfortable because I am playing a position that that I am 
unaccustomed to," said Forte. "It all seems real fast to me right now. But 
it will slow down in time. I know it will. I am just going to have to earn 
my stripes."

In the team's training visit to Foxwood's Resort and Casino, O'Brien said 
that Forte began to show signs of picking up the Celtics style of play, as 
well as the tendencies of his teammates.

"I think he did a great job of scoring and making the proper plays," said 
O'Brien before last night's contest. "I think he has made some nice strides 
at the point guard spot. In the exhibition season we are going to have an 
opportunity to play him at the point guard spot."