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Depth Chart: Who Will It Be At The 3
By: Brian Gleason 

With the offseason coming to a close and player movement in the NBA 
slowing down considerably, join celtics.com over the next week as we take 
a look at next season, examining each position to see who could get most 
of the playing time. 

Today we take a look at small forward. This should be a fun position to 
watch this season, with many question marks surrounding it. Eric Williams 
is the incumbent, but will Kedrick Brown get his shot? The C's didn't trade 
for Jumaine Jones so he could sit on the bench all season, and we all know 
Walter McCarty will not sit by and watch as the season goes on. Any four 
of these players could end the season as the starter, so make sure you pay 
close attention to this position throughout the 2003-04 season. 

Eric Williams
Tale of the Tape: 6-8, 220, Providence, 9th Season 

Skinny: Most likely Williams will begin the season as the starter. He is an 
experienced player who fits the Celtics defensive hardworking mentality. 
Coach O'Brien is also a very loyal coach and Williams has done a lot to help 
the Celtics turnaround the last two seasons. Look for Williams to battle all 
season long to keep his spot in the starting rotation. In 2002-03 he was one 
of two players to appear in all 82 games and had his highest scoring average 
since the 1996-97 season. 

Questions: There aren't too many questions surrounding Williams, he plays 
his role and gives his all for 82 games. The Celtics may be looking for more 
scoring and perimeter shooting out of this position. Williams shot a decent 
33.6 percent from beyond the arc last season and is a career 42.0 percent 
shooter from the field. 

Kedrick Brown
Tale of the Tape: 6-7, 222, Okaloosa-Walton CC, 3rd Season 

Skinny: The explosive Brown will get a chance to show what he can do next 
season, but it is up to him to show that he belongs. Through his first two 
seasons Brown has shown flashes of why the Celtics took him with the 
11th overall selection in the 2001 NBA Draft, but for the most part he has 
been inconsistent. In 2003-04 he will most likely be thrown into the fire 
and receive plenty of minutes early in the season. If Brown comes through 
and develops into the player the Celtics hope, he could be in the starting 
lineup by midseason. 

Questions: Brown probably has more questions than anyone on the team. He 
has been tremendous on defense early in his career, but he will have to show 
that he can contribute offensively if he wants to remain with the Celtics. 
In his two seasons Brown has shot a dismal 34.9 percent from the field, 
including 12.1 percent from beyond the arc. Something in Brown's favor 
should be the C's desire for a more up-tempo, fastbreak style of play, 
which suits Brown's skills perfectly. An interesting aspect of the Celtics 
season will be what exactly happens to Kedrick Brown. 

Jumaine Jones
Tale of the Tape: 6-8, 218, Georgia, 5th Season 

Skinny: Jones should be a nice addition to the Celtics, adding depth and 
athleticism. He is a player that can both shoot from the perimeter and 
drive to the basket. At just 23 years of age Jones is entering his 5th NBA 
season and has the experience of playing in the 2001 NBA Finals. His 
scoring average has increased in each season he has been in the league 
and he is a role player that can at times step up and handle the scoring 
load. Jones shot 35.4 percent from beyond the arc last, which would have 
finished as third best on last seasons Celtics. In 2002-03 he averaged 
9.8 points per game. Along with Brown, Jones should also benefit from 
the Celtics change to an up-tempo style of play. Look for Jones to be a 
major player in the battle for the starting small forward position. 

Questions: Jones will have to prove this season that he can play defense. 
Williams, Brown and McCarty are all excellent defenders, and for Jones 
to impress Coach O'Brien he will have to prove early on that he can fit 
into the Celtics defensive scheme. Also Jones will need to show that he 
is still improving, even though he has increased his scoring all four 
seasons, teams are still waiting for Jones to have a break out year. 

Walter McCarty
Tale of the Tape: 6-10, 230, Kentucky, 8th Season 

Skinny: This season could be similar to the last two for McCarty. Look for 
Williams to start, while both Brown and Jones get chances throughout 
the season, but in the end it could once again be McCarty standing tall. 
If Brown and Jones are unable to perform O'Brien will not hesitate to 
give McCarty big minutes. McCarty is an excellent defender who knows 
the system and understands his role. He has the ability to step up and 
score when needed and is also a Boston favorite. If Brown and Jones are 
able to contribute, McCarty is versatile and will see minutes at both power 
forward and center. McCarty has proven he can compete in pressure 
situation, so look for #0 to be on the floor when the game is on the line. 

Questions: Like Williams, there are not too many questions surrounding 
McCarty. The Celtics know him well and know what he can provide. 
If McCarty proves he can be more consistent offensively he could battle 
Williams for the starting spot.