Celtics Roster Review
Michael Kieler (STING)
July 13th 2002 -- The Celtics are coming off an incredible season in which star Paul Pierce ranked #3 in the NBA in points per game, leading the Boston Celtics to a 49-33 record and finishing as the number 3 team in the east. Fellow All-Star Power Forward Antoine Walker contributed as well, completing the second highest scoring tandem in the league behind only Kobe and Shaq. Veteran point guard Kenny Anderson had a remarkable playoff performance, and center Tony Battie showed signs of major improvement. So what does the future hold for the Boston Celtics? Plenty. The signing of undrafted rookie point guard Omar Cook should provide help in the aging backcourt, and former Wake Forest star Darius Songaila could develop into a monster inside.
My View:
PG: Kenny Anderson has played in the league for 11 years now and is definitely past his prime. Tony Delk who has played 6 years, has shown that he is a solid point guard, but the Celtics want more than that. Lately rumors of a trade involving Pacer’s rookie Jamaal Tinsley have surfaced, and the Celtics would be more than happy to acquire this young star. Tinsley would be an excellent fit for the Celtics style of play. An outstanding defender and passer, he has already broken the Pacer’s all-time assist record, and he did it his first season in the NBA. But until a trade occurs, I’m going to have to go with Delk as the starter. STING PG: Tony Delk GRADE: B-
SG: The Celtics find themselves in a jam here. With their lack of a true shooting guard, the Celtics have resorted to moving natural small forward Paul Pierce to the shooting guard position. Although he was successful in the transition, he would play much better at the SF position. Portland shooting guard Bonzi Wells has been selected by the Celtics as a possible trade option, but until something works out, The Celtics must keep Paul Pierce at the shooting guard position. STING SG: Paul Pierce GRADE: A
SF: The Celtics find no shortage of players at the SF position even with star Paul Pierce moved to the 2. Rodney Rogers provides a banger inside as well as a legitimate outside and midrange threat. Eric Williams also exhibited his athleticism during the 2001-02 season, where he proved that he was a prospect for starting SF as well. One of last years lottery picks, Kendrick Brown didn’t have much of a chance to show his skills behind Williams and Rogers, but should get more playing time this year. The Celtics have it made at SF. STING SF: Rodney Rogers GRADE: B
PF: All-Star Antoine Walker takes control of the Celtics frontcourt, with his unique style of play. A very versatile player, he is a threat shooting from everywhere on the floor, and is an excellent passer as well. He might have more success at the SF position because of his excellent speed, but he has proved he can hold his own in the front court. Rookie power forward Darius Songaila can also provide some help on the bench as a change from last years slight lack of depth at the PF position. STING PF: Antoine Walker GRADE: A-
C: Tony Battie contributed to the Celtics team with 6.9 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, and .91 blocks per game in 24.6 minutes. He showed signs of excellent play inside the paint, and is an outstanding mid-range shooter. I expect him to make a breakout season next year and give the Celtics the push they need to improve their record further. Backup center Vitaly Potapenko also contributed 4.6 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game .4 assists per game in 17 minutes. STING C: Tony Battie GRADE: B
Michael Kieler (STING)
July 13th 2002 -- The Celtics are coming off an incredible season in which star Paul Pierce ranked #3 in the NBA in points per game, leading the Boston Celtics to a 49-33 record and finishing as the number 3 team in the east. Fellow All-Star Power Forward Antoine Walker contributed as well, completing the second highest scoring tandem in the league behind only Kobe and Shaq. Veteran point guard Kenny Anderson had a remarkable playoff performance, and center Tony Battie showed signs of major improvement. So what does the future hold for the Boston Celtics? Plenty. The signing of undrafted rookie point guard Omar Cook should provide help in the aging backcourt, and former Wake Forest star Darius Songaila could develop into a monster inside.
My View:
PG: Kenny Anderson has played in the league for 11 years now and is definitely past his prime. Tony Delk who has played 6 years, has shown that he is a solid point guard, but the Celtics want more than that. Lately rumors of a trade involving Pacer’s rookie Jamaal Tinsley have surfaced, and the Celtics would be more than happy to acquire this young star. Tinsley would be an excellent fit for the Celtics style of play. An outstanding defender and passer, he has already broken the Pacer’s all-time assist record, and he did it his first season in the NBA. But until a trade occurs, I’m going to have to go with Delk as the starter. STING PG: Tony Delk GRADE: B-
SG: The Celtics find themselves in a jam here. With their lack of a true shooting guard, the Celtics have resorted to moving natural small forward Paul Pierce to the shooting guard position. Although he was successful in the transition, he would play much better at the SF position. Portland shooting guard Bonzi Wells has been selected by the Celtics as a possible trade option, but until something works out, The Celtics must keep Paul Pierce at the shooting guard position. STING SG: Paul Pierce GRADE: A
SF: The Celtics find no shortage of players at the SF position even with star Paul Pierce moved to the 2. Rodney Rogers provides a banger inside as well as a legitimate outside and midrange threat. Eric Williams also exhibited his athleticism during the 2001-02 season, where he proved that he was a prospect for starting SF as well. One of last years lottery picks, Kendrick Brown didn’t have much of a chance to show his skills behind Williams and Rogers, but should get more playing time this year. The Celtics have it made at SF. STING SF: Rodney Rogers GRADE: B
PF: All-Star Antoine Walker takes control of the Celtics frontcourt, with his unique style of play. A very versatile player, he is a threat shooting from everywhere on the floor, and is an excellent passer as well. He might have more success at the SF position because of his excellent speed, but he has proved he can hold his own in the front court. Rookie power forward Darius Songaila can also provide some help on the bench as a change from last years slight lack of depth at the PF position. STING PF: Antoine Walker GRADE: A-
C: Tony Battie contributed to the Celtics team with 6.9 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, and .91 blocks per game in 24.6 minutes. He showed signs of excellent play inside the paint, and is an outstanding mid-range shooter. I expect him to make a breakout season next year and give the Celtics the push they need to improve their record further. Backup center Vitaly Potapenko also contributed 4.6 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game .4 assists per game in 17 minutes. STING C: Tony Battie GRADE: B