The picture of optimism

Upbeat Celtics have healthy outlook

By Shira Springer, Globe Staff, 10/3/2003

WALTHAM -- Media Day, also known as the most optimistic two hours of the NBA season, got under way for the Celtics shortly after 2 p.m. yesterday. There were the traditional predictions about where the Celtics will finish in the Eastern Conference ("We have a very good chance to come out of the East," said Antoine Walker) and assessments of the other 28 teams ("We feel like we're going to be one of the top defensive teams in the league," said Paul Pierce).

Usually, Media Day does not provide any indication of whether a team is headed in the right direction. The best early glimpses come in exhibition games.

But even without the benefit of statistics, there was visible evidence the Celtics are an improved team. It started with the appearance of Walker. He looked thinner and more defined in his Celtics uniform, most noticeably his upper arms. Cocaptain Pierce added some healthy heft to his 6-foot-6-inch frame. Then there was Vin Baker, who showed up more than 15 pounds lighter with a body reminiscent of his early years in the league.

"This is my seventh training camp with the Celtics, my third as a head coach," said Jim O'Brien. "I could not be more excited about our prospects, about how far we've come from this day last year.

"We have been able to keep mainly the nucleus of our last two seasons together. And understanding, based on talking with and observing our players during the summer, their dedication to their bodies."

The players knew director of basketball operations Danny Ainge and O'Brien planned to implement a running game. As a result, they came prepared for playing an up-tempo style. But the real question: Are the Celtics mentally ready for a new style under new management? That was more difficult to discern during Media Day, particularly when it came to Walker, who will be asked to rebound more and bring the ball upcourt less.

"It's like any other season, man," said Walker. "I'm just ready to play, like always. The last [seven] seasons I've been ready to play. I'm very happy to see the core of our guys still together because we've built a good foundation. We've learned how to win. So, hopefully, we can add these young guys to it to make things a lot better for us.

"Any time you can get easy opportunity baskets, it's going to be good. But our makeup of our team is to go through me and Paul. And it's hopefully going to continue to go that way. If we can run, we're going to run. No matter what system we play, I'm going to be fine."

Walker was a touch defensive in his answers, understandable considering the trade talk he endured in the offseason. The power forward also emphasized the importance of keeping the Celtics' core together, understandable considering his desire for a contract extension. Walker has two years left on his deal, though the Celtics have an opportunity to offer him an extension. Walker has the option of becoming a free agent after this season.

But Walker faces a season in which he must prove himself capable of adapting to the Celtics' new system. Coming to training camp in good condition is a positive start. Now he needs to focus on the future. A big year by Walker can make a big difference for both the Celtics and their starting power forward. In making the transition to a running game, Ainge knows it's important not to let Walker, or Pierce, view the change as an indictment of past performances.

"It's [being] careful how to present this whole process with Antoine and Paul," said Ainge. "And it's this: Antoine has carried a huge responsibility on this team offensively, whether he's wanted to or he hasn't wanted to. We've tried to bring in players that are more suited to help him become better.

"We just don't want him walking the ball up the court anymore. He shouldn't have to do that. Does Chris Webber ever do that? Does Kevin Garnett ever do that? Well, we don't want Antoine to do that. It's that simple. I worry that Antoine will find himself being defensive through all these kinds of questions. That it's a focal point of him. Like there's something wrong with him when we're just trying to get our team to become better."

According to Ainge, the key questions facing the Celtics season are: What can Marcus Banks and Mike James bring to the point guard position? What does Jumaine Jones bring? What does Baker add? Can Walker and Pierce have strong, injury-free seasons? Ainge added that the Celtics need big seasons from Banks, Jones, Baker, Walker, and Pierce to be Eastern Conference champions, a goal he believes is possible.

The quest will begin with competition in training camp. With the exception of Pierce and Walker, the other starting positions are essentially up for grabs. The addition of a running game may not be the only change before the regular season starts. Pierce believes changes are necessary.

"If you're not a championship team and you haven't gotten to the Finals, you look and see what's the problem," said Pierce. "When you lose, 4-0, [in a playoff series] and go out in the second round, there's definitely changes that have to be made. We were one of the worst offenses, percentage-wise, in the league. So, with the personnel, with the new style of play, those were the necessary changes that really had to be made this summer in order for this team to improve."