[no subject]

<Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:12 am    Post subject: Dinner with Bob Cousy. 
Celtic's excited about Mike James    

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Sat next to Bob Cousy at the Hall of Fame reunion dinner in Springfield MA 
last week. 

He's exactly like he is when he announces. Definately a class guy and his 
wife was very nice as well. 

We talked a lot of hoop. We talked a lot about Marcus Banks whom he likes 
what he heres but has not seen him play much. We talked about the excitement of a 
true running game. 

He surprised me by saying that the Celts are equally high on Mike James and 
feel like he is about to have a breakout season as a pro. It sounded like they 
feel like they got the steal of the offseason with James and that he will 
challenge Banks to start. Apparently this kid can push the ball(which he was not 
asked to do in Miami) and really sees the floor well as a natural point guard. 

I am very excited about Banks after seeing all of the summer league games. 
Now I am equally excited about James and feel really good about our point guard 
position this year. 

Baker rehabed 

Walker in great shape and motivated by his contract situation and last years 
implosion against kMart 

Pierce with legs and mad 

Battie in shape with repaired knees 

2 running actual POINT GUARDS 

a great pick up in Jumaine Jones 

Kedrick fighting for his basketball life and now in an offensive system that 
favors his skills 

Hunter and Perkins with huge upside 

I'm glad all this is under the radar. Only true Celtic fans can see the 
evolution of this basketball team. I think this is going to be an exciting year and 
everyone is going to be very surprised at just how good the Celtics can be. 
Actually Cousy lives in Worcester MA and he said he had not seen much of 
James. 

He was mostly taking about what Danny Ainge and other Celtic brass have been 
telling him about James. He indicated more than once that they were very 
excited about him. 

There will be no convincing non-Celtic fans or even pessimistic C's fans that 
the changes will make that much of a difference. 

GOOD. Let them live in denial during the season too. I have been living in 
denial for 2 years regarding the Nets. I keep thinking they suck minus JKIDD BUT 
THEY KEEP WINNING. I hate that. 

I believe the Celtics will frustrate a lot of Celtic haters this year and I 
am looking forward to it.>