Overview

The fans of Boston finally got what they wanted. No not a title or even a playoff birth, but rid of Rick Pitino. Pitino Four years ago inherited a team with one young star, two lottery picks and cap space. The draft picks were spent on players no longer with the team. The cap space quickly evaporated, bringing in and shipping out such players as Tony Messenburg and Travis Knight. Pitino quit in January leaving behind a young team with two stars, three first round draft picks and no cap space for the foreseeable future.

Assistant coach Jim O'Brien was promoted to head coach and Chris Wallace remained with the team as General Manager. Although they will not say so publicly, it is now their job to fix Pitino's mistakes. The team played better under O'Brien who simplified the defense and gave players more free reign on offense. Under O'Brien the team play had an even 21-21 record. Had they played .500 ball all season they would have made the playoffs. They would then have been eliminated in the first round by Philadelphia, and moved back four places in the draft.

Draft History

2000: Jerome Moiso, UCLA - In the draft that produced no notable players he was among the more mundane. He, along with Stromile Swift, became the example of inexperience kids riding the pine. Morris Peterson and Courtney Alexander were taken later. Celtic management is still high on him. Grade D (with a chance to improve).

1999: Kris Clack, Texas - Kris was invited to training camp, but failed to make the team. He was a second round pick so it is not that surprising. Of course, the reason they had no first round pick is because Pitino traded it to Cleveland for Vitaly Potapenko.

1998: Paul Pierce, Kansas - To the delight of Celtic fans Paul Pierce fell and fell all the way to number 10. This past March he posted three 40+ point games and was named player of the month. He still needs to learn to pass out of double and triple teams but he is rounding into a very nice player. Although the pick was a no brainier I will still give the brain trust high marks. Grade: A

1997: Chauncey Billups, Colorado and Ron Mercer, Kentucky -- Pitino took the Celtics thinking he was getting Tim Duncan or perhaps Keith Van Horn. As bad luck had it he got picks three and six over all. He wanted a big point guard so he drafted a 6' 3" shooting guard, Chauncey Billups, and tried to convert him to the point. He lasted only a half a season then trader Rick sent him to Toronto for Kenny Anderson. With the sixth pick Pitino selected a player he had coach while at Kentucky, Ron Mercer. Mercer proved to be a capable scorer but Rick (as usual) over valued Mercer worth on the market and traded him. All that remains of the Mercer selection and trade is the 11 and 21 overall picks in this years draft. Grade: D

1996: Antoine Walker, Kentucky - The Celtics were happy to get Walker at No. 6. He has become the corner stone of the team. He has already made one all-star team and displays skills possessed by few other power forwards. Grade: B

1995: Eric Williams, Providence -- This was a good pick at the time, No. 14 Williams quickly became a starter and a dogged defender who showed a great ability to get to the line. Pitino signed him to a long contract, then traded him to Denver and later traded to get him back. Grade: B

Player Salaries

Player Statistics

Team Needs

Although the team would still like to find a dominate center, and which team wouldn't, as well as a tall defensive point guard that can create for himself and his teammate, the focus has now turned to finding a third scorer. The team is aware they need someone that can take the scoring burden off Walker and Pierce. With three picks the team in theory (and theory only) could fill all three voids. If the team successfully fills one or two of these needs the draft will have been a success. Because Pierce can play small forward or shooting guard and Walker can play either of the power forward or small forward there is great flexibility in where the new recruit can play.

Team Needs: Answer, McCarty (twice) Stith (once). Question, who other than Pierce and Walker lead the team in scoring last season. That statistic alone should be evidence enough that the team is in dire need of a third scorer. A fourth and fifth scorer would be nice as well. If that third option were a point who can create or a center who can defend and rebound all the better. Must likely it will come in the form of a shooting guard or small forward. The Celtics roster is flexible enough that the can choose a player at any position. If they get a nice small forward Pierce moves to the big guard. If they get a power forward, Walker moves to the three and Pierce to the two. A center or point guard could slide right into place. For this reason, I think with each pick the Celtics will go with the best player available.

Team and the Current Roster

Point Guard:

Kenny Anderson when healthy is the started. That was only 33 mostly ineffective games last season. Anderson is perceived by most fans as one of the biggest problems with the team. He came over in 1998 when he refused to play for Toronto. The Celtics gave up first round (third over all) pick Chauncy Billups and fan favorite Dee Brown to acquire Anderson. He has never played as well as he did in Portland (would they like him back?). Backing up Anderson is the two-headed monster of Randy Brown and Milt Palacio.

Randy Brown is an aging defense specialist. He was brought in for his experience, but also wound up playing the majority of minutes at the point.

Milt Palacio hit an off balanced buzzer beating shot against New Jersey that earned him the nickname "Miracle Milt".

Chris Herran played some, but he spent much of the season injuried.

Summary: The Celtics are looking to trade Anderson and improve to the position. Palacio and Herran are both free agents who can probably be resigned for the minimum.

Shooting Guard:

Bryant Stith got the majority of starts as the big guard. He came to Boston (along with Herran) from Denver for Calbert Chaney and Robert Pack. That was perhaps the best trade of the Pitino era. Stith has played quite well for the C's. His outside shooting has been a plus.

Chris Carr was used very sparingly. He excepted the million dollar exception to play for Boston who liked his experience.

Summary: Stith was a very nice pick up and the fans of Boston have wormed to him. He is a free agent. The Celtics could use more scoring from the position.

Small Forward:

Paul Pierce returned from being the victim of an off season knife attack to cement himself as the team's star. He led the team in scoring and is hitting the outside shot. He is a very good defensive player racking up steals and blocks. He can and does play shooting guard also.

Eric Williams is a nice backup. He is a good defensive player and is capable of going on a scoring rampage. How could probably start on some teams. He is also able to play power forward quite well.

Walt McCarty is tall and strong. He can play all three forward positions. He is a very good defender. The last time the Celtics played the Lakers McCarty did a good job of boxing out Shag.

Adrian Griffin, the darling of the 99-2000 season was rarely used.

Summary: Griffen is a free agent and may be resigned at the minimum. McCarty and more so Williams are trade bait. If the Celtics bring in a quality small forward Pierce will move to shooting guard where he has played some of his best games.

Power Forward:

Antione Walker is the team's MVP. He is a close second to Pierce in points scored and is the team leader in rebounds, assists, minutes played, and three point shots. Once the team starts winning he will be a star in the league. One of the knocks on Antione is that he is not aggressive enough in drawing contact and thus does not take a lot of free throws. Also, his shot selection could be better.

Tony Battie is the primary backup. He is tall and athletic. He plays some at center as well. He is a nice player to have around, but he does have a long contract.

Jerome Moiso was last summers first round draft pick, eleventh overall. Although Moiso is the poster boy for lack of experience by the early entrants, the coaching staff is still high on him and say we will see great improvement next season. Because

Summary: Walker plays so many minutes no one gets a lot a backup minutes behind him. Walker is an exception player he is very athletic and is starting "to get it". The one thing the Celtics lack at the position is a big strong bruiser, though at times Potapenko can play at the position.

Center:

Vitaly Potapenko received the bulk of the minutes at the center position. He is muscular and the closest thing the time has to an enforcer. He shoots well when close to the basket and displays some offensive moves. He is only 6' 10" and does not block a lot of shots.

Mark Blount was usually the starter and was the Celtic's rookie of the year candidate. He was drafted three years ago after leaving college early. He never stuck with a team until this year.

Summary: The Celtics have some serviceable players at the center position, but no all-star candidates. Both Blount and Potapenko are better suited for reserve rolls. The team holds an option on Blount and will exercise it.

Free Agents

Bryant Stith is the most important Celtic Free agent. The team is over the cap so they will have to use their mid-class exception if the hope to retain his services. He probably stays.

Eric Williams has a player's option. He has a ridiculous contract and would be foolish to opt out. He stays.

Mark Blount will return as the team will exercise the option to retain him.

Milt Palacio and Chris Herren will be the biggest decisions the Celtics have to make. They will probably try to retain both but will only be able to offer minimum salaries.

The selection

DeSagana Diop 7' 0" C Oak Hill Academy (High School)

The Celtics help themselves immediately by getting Battier at 10. Then can then afford to wait on Diop to develop. Diop is big, over seven foot and 305 pounds. He has soft hands. If he develops he can be the center to challenge Shaq. Although he is raw he has show great natural ability. Because of his size Majia has described him as "the most physically ready high school athlete ever to declare for the NBA Draft.

It was tempting to take Jaamal Tinsley at this spot. Having two seniors who could step in and help right away was tempting but the upside on Diop was too great to ignore. It would be much easier for the Celtics to find a point guard than a monster center like Diop.

Others considered

Pau Gasol, Spain - Small Forward. This 7-foot small forward has been compared to Toni Kukoc, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnet. He is a European player meaning he shoots the three well, but is deficient on defense. I was tempted to wait and see if he would still be around by 21 but I don't think he would so I chose him now. One more point about him, he will not be available until next year (2002-03). This might make other teams shy away but I think it is a good thing. The Celtics don't need three rookies; he will gain more experience and maturity. The Kings waited three years for Stojacovic and that worked out well for them. This is the player the team wants and will try to move up to get him.

Loren Woods, Arizona - 7-1 Center. He is a senior so you know what you're getting. He can block shots, run the floor and soft hands. I think Vitaly Potapenko is Ukraine for "Hands of Stone". Loren's "upside" may not be as great as the high schooler's, but neither is his downside. Four years ago he was the next Tim Duncan.

Jaamal Tinsley, Iowa - 6-3 Point Guard. He is the best point guard in a draft week at the position. He is the only point expected to go in the lottery. He is a senior thus reducing the rookie impact. He sees the floor well. 

Joseph Forte North Carolina - 6' 4" Shooting Guard. He is a little small and possibly not as athletic as some other 2's in the league. But he is a tremendous scorer and shooter. His shooting will be an asset in the new-zoned league.

Troy Murphy, Notre Dame - 6' 11" Power Forward. He is a junior who was worried if he stayed another year in school he'd be too old. He may be right. He is big and strong. What you need in a four. I believe his addition would enable Antoine to be moved the small forward, his natural position and Pierce to move to shooting guard. Murphy like Walker and Pierce is also a very competent outside shooter. He is a two time All-American.

Michael Bradley, Villanova - 6' 10" Power Forward. Like Murphy, Bradley is a junior. A very good shooter when close to the basket (.691 field goal percentage), but lacks Murphy's range. A more traditional four whose game may translate better to the NBA. Joe Johnson, Arkansas - 6' 8" Small Forward. A tremendous athlete. He has speed, touch and slashing ability.

Moves in the offseason

I will what to update this section until after our last pick at 21. I would hat to tip my hand to the other GM's. Please check back for an update.