From: davem@uvmark.uucp (Dave Meeks)
Subject: Re: Celtics
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 92 16:42:41 GMT
Organization: Vmark Software, Inc.

In article <1992Oct14.201653.2417@Princeton.EDU> hariharn@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Ramesh Hariharan) writes:
>In article <1bhe9iINN7ru@bigboote.WPI.EDU> cor@bigwpi.WPI.EDU (Cory Shimer) writes:
>>They ranked the Celts at #12, behind the Pistons ...
>>Behind the Pistons?!?! Give me a break! somebody get this
>>magazine a clue!
>>Parish, Lewis, Brown, McDaniel, (Mchale/Douglass/Fox)
>>make up a TON of talent. 
>>IMO the Celts should definitely be a top 10 team this year, probably
>>a top 6 team.
>>
>>
>When will the Celtic fans learn that their team's success is a thing of
>the (long gone) past... One feels more so after the retirement of Bird
>the wizard. Last year they lost badly to the Cavs and have mired in
>mediocrity for a while. The addition of Mcdaniel is a big minus for the
>team. McDaniel is not a very stable person and don't be surprised to see
>6-10 game 'disappearing acts' by Xavier. There are two reasons why Xavier
>performed in the playoffs 1) His future with NY was uncertain. 2) There
>was a master like Pat Riley driving him. 

Well, they will probably learn once it actually happens.  I would say that
they had a very successful year last year.  For a team that, in the last
10 years or so, has won 50+ games in every year except 1 (the nonBird year),
and has won it's division in every one of those years with the exception of
the two Jimmy Rodgers years (one without Bird.).  Last year they did not
lose badly to the Cavs.  Going into the end of game 4, they had the chance
to go ahead 3-1, and if not for the disputed "non-call" on Reggie Lewis
at the end of the game, it could have happened.  Overall, it was a good, 
close series, with the Cavs winning out in the end.  As for being "mired
in mediocrity", since when???  Again, winning your division that many times
is not something many teams do.  The Lakers, yes...  Otherwise????

As for McDaniel, I think you are dreaming if you think he is a big
minus for the team.  He brings the team intimidation, rebounding, scoring,
and defense.  He has someone like Coach Ford to deal with now, and Ford has
shown he can handle the players.  You talk about his future, but his future
is not so sure in Boston either.  He has some tough competition to beat out
if he wants a starting job.  Look for McDaniel to be a big plus.
>
>With a secure job (3 yrs), Xavier will go back to his d-mode. The
>Atlantic will get much stronger with the emergence of NJ as a decent
>team and the Knicks as a contender. With this stiff competition, the
>Celts should be happy to make the playoffs.  
>

Remember, I think only 2 of those years are guaranteed.  And, just having the
job won't be enough.  If McDaniel doesn't get playing time, he will soon be
out of the league.  With people like Gamble and Fox having proved they can
play at the position, he is going to have to prove he deserves the spot, or
else he will be on the bench.. Simple as that.  As for the division, I think
NJ is overrated, and if you want to talk about the rising teams, look 
south towards Miami...  As for making the playoffs, when was the last time
the Celtics didn't make the playoffs???  78???
-- 
David T. Meeks                    ||" We are jigsaw pieces, aligned on the 
VMark Software, Inc.              ||  perimeter edge, 
uvmark!davem@merk.com             ||  interlocked through a missing piece"
davem%uvmark@merk.com             ||" ...This world is totally Fugazi"
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro