Boston really came on strong and made the playoff and even played Orlando tough. However, on the negative side, they are lacking in young talent. Doing her best to rectify that problem is GM: Ellie Cutler. Ellie used the 14th pick to select: Michael Finley, SG, 6-6. Wisconsin ==================================================================== 1994-95 was a year of changes for Boston, portending even more. It was the last year of the Boston Garden, home to 16 championship banners, Red Auerbach, Larry Bird, Johnny Most, and the leprechaun. It was ML Carr's first year as GM of bball operations, taking over for the unpopular Dave Gavitt and putting the team back in Celtic family hands. ML wasted no time. He brought in Blue Edwards, Dominique Wilkins, Derek Strong, Pervis Ellison, and drafted Eric Montross, the big center from Carolina, to man the paint against Ewing and O'Neal. He wanted to talk to Michael. He wanted to do this, that, and the other. There was no lack of enthusiam and action from the original towel-waver. The last regular season game in the Garden showcased a halftime fast break of something like Auerbach to Sam Jones to Heinsohn to Don Nelson to Bill Russell to Havlicek to Larry Bird for the layup. Then, just in case anybody needed a reality check, the current squad went on to lose the game. Boston didn't belong in the playoffs at the expense of teams like Dallas and Sacramento, but that's life in the Eastern Conference, where New Jersey, Miami, and the Pistons self-destructed in the last few weeks of the season to hand the 8th playoff seed to the Celtics. The C's did take one game against Orlando, but made the expected first round exit in four. They had no offensive plan, no flow. This was so different from the Bird teams, who had such beautiful passing, spacing, and offense. Even on fast breaks with four on one advantages the current team couldn't buy a basket. GUARDS: Most Improved Player for the Celtics this year was point guard Sherman Douglas. He was in shape, real shape. He was also taking 15 or more shots a game, getting to the foul line, and keeping his assists up. But somehow this didn't translate into a team offensive flow. And Sherm has been reported to be on the trading block. C's have talked to both Minnesota (for Rider) and the Bullets (player unnamed). This could point to them picking up a PG in the draft, figuring that one of Stoudamire, Beck, Respert, Childress, or Tyus Edney will be there at #14. David Wesley provided good backup at the point, and Dee Brown filled in as 3rd point. Dee had his usual inconsistent season. It's unclear how/where he really fits into the scheme. I still think he's best set as 3rd guard. Greg Minor showed flashes (scored something like 42 points in an early showing), has height (much needed in the Boston backcourt), and plays defense. One of Ford's big errors this season was not giving this kid enough minutes. They need some 3-point shooters. FORWARDS: Rick Fox was the same old story. Plays with heart, but makes too many bonehead plays. Look for him in a Raptor's uniform next season. Xavier McDaniel provided pieces of heart and fire, but is unlikely to be in the plans for next season. Derek Strong was a very nice surprise -- he was cleaning up the offensive glass against Orlando, and can get the garbage and putback points. A definite keeper, esp. only in his 3rd year, and esp. since he can double at center. Wilkins didn't contribute much except an unfulfilled promise of having a goto guy. If he can change his headset and accept being an offensive force off the bench, he can continue to contribute. But he showed few signs of that. Then there's Dino Radja. He has his great offensive nights, but he has more bad defensive nights, and I don't think he's untouchable. Maybe if he had a little more flexibility...but he just puts up the ball in the paint and gets either blocked or fouled. And he has the ball just plain grabbed out of his hands too many times. Good as part of the rotation (he can double at center), but nobody's go-to guy. Pervis Ellison - when he's on, look out! When he's not, he's soft. Questions are how his knees will hold up on a regular basis. Is he always a 20 minute guy or can he contribute more? CENTER: Montross had a pretty good year for a rookie. He'll do just fine, thank you. Ellison, Strong, and Radja can all back up. Acie Earl? Hopefully headed to expansion land for a fresh start. MISC: Blue Edwards was never utilized and ended up being swapped to his old home the Jazz for Jay Humphries, who has been injured off and on, and is basically holding a salary slot open. COACH: Chris Ford is out! People legitimately credit him with making do with a bad situation, but that doesn't get past the fact that he's too negative, yells at players too much, and has lost too many games. On a team with no great SF, how could he not even give Blue Edwards a real shot? NEEDS: The biggest need is a go-to guy, at any position. Other needs are a big guard (Greg Minor could be this player), an SF to replace Wilkins (and Fox), three-point shooting, and some help clogging the paint. They have some money to spend. Jay Humphries is place-holding a $1.9 slot, and they can buy out McDaniel's slot to use on somebody. There are some NBA 2 guards either UFAs or looking for new homes, among them Kendall Gill, Robert Pack, and Latrell Sprewell. If they can buy some offense, they can take a defensive player like Tim Duncan in the draft (they certainly could use someone to help Montross in the middle -- Radja has done a terrible job). EXPANSION DRAFT: Protect: Eric Montross, Dee Brown, Greg Minor, Sherm Douglas, Dino Radja, Pervis Ellison, Rick Fox, Dominique Wilkins. Derek Strong is a UFA, otherwise he would definitely be on this list. David Wesley may also be a free agent -- otherwise he could be protected instead of Fox. Wilkins is on the list to preserve his slot. Montross and Minor are future players, Sherm and Radja are good trade bait. With this in mind, and early teen pick, I would go with BPA. Michael Finley (talent!). Who the team will probably take: BPA, so depends who is available. If they trade Sherm for a 2/3, look for them to pick up a PG: Stoudamire Childress Respert Beck Other moves the team should make: Pick up a 3-pt shooter Who I hope they don't take: Bob Sura. The Wild Man. =====================================================================