(TSN) Peter May Celtics Report

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

      The Sporting News

      Boston Celtics
      Team Report posted APRIL 24, 1999     

      Peter May
      Boston Globe

      Thank God for the Bulls. That's what the Celtics were saying as they 
      headed back to Boston for the home stretch of what has been a 
      disappointing season. 
      After losing twice in two nights, the Celtics had a terrible flight to 
      Chicago for their third game in three nights and arrived at their hotel at 
      5 a.m. But they still won by 29, even without Antoine Walker and Kenny 
      Anderson. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak. 
      Walker and Anderson may both miss the rest of the season, but Pitino is 
      still preparing for every game as if the future of civilization was at 
      stake. The Celtics continue to press, continue to run and will try to make 
      life miserable for whoever they play in the last 10 days. 
      They will have a chance to be a spoiler. After Sunday's game with the 
      equally clueless Wizards, the Celtics finish with five games against teams 
      fighting for playoff position. Three of those games are at home. One road 
      game -- at Miami -- should be interesting given Boston's 2-0 record 
      against the Heat this year and, especially, in the wake of their wild, 
      comeback win on April 16. 
      The other games are against the Pistons, Bucks, Knicks and Hornets. 
      Charlotte makes its only visit to Boston on May 5, the last game of the 
      season. Who would have thought a month ago that that game could mean 
      anything to either team? . . . 
      Two events off the court will focus attention on the team in the coming 
      weeks. On Monday, a malpractice trial will begin in Boston over the 
      treatment of former Celtics captain Reggie Lewis, who died more than six 
      years ago. 
      Lewis' widow has brought the suit, alleging that the doctors misdiagnosed 
      Lewis' condition and are to be held accountable for his death. The doctors 
      contend that Lewis deliberately withheld information that he used drugs, 
      which hindered their treatment. 
      Why Lewis' widow is even bringing the case to court is a question many are 
      asking. She says she wants closure, not money, but with information likely 
      to come out that will harm her late husband's name, it also seems beside 
      the point. Lewis and his wife maintained that the player never used drugs, 
      but already there have been several depositions which allege the very 
      opposite. . . . 
      The other event is a May 12 hearing concerning Tony Battie, who was 
      arrested on April 24 at gunpoint for refusing to move his vehicle at the 
      request of a police officer. According to police reports, the officer 
      pulled his gun after his arm got stuck in the window of Battie's vehicle, 
      which started to move. Battie will produce several witnesses that will 
      testify his vehicle never moved. However, when asked by the police to 
      move, he did turn up the music in the vehicle, which is not a wise thing 
      to do. 
      Pitino has stood by Battie, calling him "an outstanding young man who also 
      is a pleasure to coach." The coach said he is willing to let the legal 
      process take its course. 
      POSITIONAL ANALYSIS 
      Point guard: Dana Barros has taken over the spot from Anderson and the 
      team doesn't appear to be any worse for it. Anderson has better point 
      guard skills, but Barros is quicker off the dribble and a better shooter. 
      Pitino also is giving time to 10-day contract man Damon Jones and likes 
      what he sees. Grade: C-plus. 
      Shooting guard: Ron Mercer is back in the saddle after a bout with back 
      spasms. While out, Greg Minor filled in and did a decent job. He doesn't 
      have Mercer's shooting range or touch, but he has a knack for being around 
      the ball and making things happen, especially on defense. Grade: C. 
      Center: Vitaly Potapenko is going to be here for awhile. Pitino is 
      enthralled by the kid's upside and, even more important, by the kid's 
      incredible work ethic. The Celtics may have paid a high price for 
      Potapenko, but Pitino feels it was worth the price. Grade: B-plus. 
      Power forward: Battie is the power forward du jour with Walker on the 
      sidelines. He has started to display some interior toughness that Pitino 
      has been looking for all season. He's also the best shot-blocker and is 
      much more comfortable at the position instead of at center, where he tends 
      to get overwhelmed or overpowered. 
      Small forward: With injuries to Walker and Anderson, Paul Pierce has 
      stepped into the breach and put up some big numbers. His 3-point shooting 
      almost single-handedly won a game against Philadelphia and he is now the 
      No. 1 option on offense. He's still not going to overtake Vince Carter for 
      Rookie of the Year honors, though. Grade: B-plus. 
      INJURY REPORT 
      Walker (ankle) and Anderson (hamstring) have both been out for more than a 
      week and could well miss the remaining six games. 
      Mercer returned to action on Friday night after missing the previous four 
      games with back spasms. Out for the year are Popeye Jones, Pervis Ellison 
      and, probably, Bruce Bowen. Of the three, Bowen (fractured finger) has the 
      best chance to returning, but he hasn't played for so long -- he's been 
      out the entire month of April -- that a return is almost problematic at 
      this point. 
      WHO'S HOT 
      Battie has already got Pitino calling him `Theo Ratliff' and you have to 
      wonder how he languished in Denver. He's got gifts, especially 
      shot-blocking skills. He also had 15 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks 
      in the victory over the Bulls. 
      WHO'S NOT 
      Eric Riley is back on the roster but still can't find any time. He only 
      went five minutes in the rout of the Bulls. Pitino is hoping that Riley 
      will work diligently in the summer. It remains to be seen if that will be 
      the case and if Riley has any future in Boston. 
      STRONG TO THE HOOP 
      There is absolutely no reason why either Walker or Anderson should even 
      consider returning for the last couple games. The season is over. Pitino 
      knows what both players can and cannot do. Why risk re-injury when there 
      is nothing at stake. It speaks to the players' competitiveness that they 
      want to play. But that should not get in the way of common sense. 
      SEE A DIFFERENT GAME 
      Pitino now recognizes that he should have started pressing right from the 
      start and disregarded the fact that most of his players were out of shape. 
      He finally decided to do it anyway and while the team isn't winning, it's 
      still harassing and irritating opponents all the way to the final buzzer. 
      It's the way Pitino likes to play and it's a reminder of how it will be 
      next year. 
      FEARLESS PREDICTION 
      The Celtics will try to get to 20 wins, which still would be a statistical 
      drop from last season and not nearly the improvement Pitino wanted. 
      <snip>