Boston Celtics
(16-67, last in Atlantic, 46 Games Back)
1997 Draft Order
| Round |
Pick |
Name |
School |
Position |
| 1 |
3 |
Chauncey Billups |
University of Colorado |
Point Guard |
| 1 |
6 |
Ron Mercer |
Kentucky |
Guard |
| 2 |
56 |
Ben Pepper |
|
|
| STRENGTHS: |
Rick Pitino |
| Antoine Walker |
| New Attitude |
| WEAKNESSES: | Defensive Skills & Players |
| Lack of Defensive Stopper |
| Rebounding & Injury Prone |
| CHANGES: | Rick Pitino In; M.L. Carr Out |
| NEEDS: | Defensive Presence Inside & Size |
| #1 Draft Picks in the Nineties |
1990
Dee Brown, G, Jacksonville (19) |
1994
Eric Montross, C, North Carolina (15) |
1991
Rick Fox, F, North Carolina (24) |
1995
Eric Williams, F, Providence (14) |
1992
Jon Barry, G, Georgia Tech (21) |
1996
Antoine Walker, F, Kentucky (6) |
1993
Acie Earl, C, Iowa (19) |
|
TEAM NOTES:
| CELTICS |
|
OPP. |
| 100.6 (T-5th) |
PPG |
107.9 (29th) |
| .440 (22nd) |
FG% |
.503 (29th) |
| 40.9 (21st) |
REBS |
44.3 (28th) |
| 16.4 (22nd) |
TO'S |
17.6 (2nd) |
| |
1996-97 |
|
* Franchise Record Worst 15-67 record. Previous worst 29-53 from 1978-79, Larry Bird followed the next year.
* On May 8, Celtics named Rick Pitino coach.
* Lost 471 games due to injury, most in NBA history since 1986-87 season, according to Harvey Pollack.
* Lost first 23 games to Atlantic Division Foes before beating Philly in last week of regular season. (1-23 vs. Atlantic)
* When held under 100 points, Celtics were only 1-35.
* Held Opponents under 100 points a league low 16 times, and were only 5-11.
* Only NBA team which the opponents shot over 50% per game.
* Allowed 41 FG's per game (NBA Worst).
* One of 6 teams to allow 100+ points a game (NJ, Phoenix, Denver, G.S., Philly and Boston).
* Only Boston and Philly were the only teams to score 100+ points a game and not make the playoffs (Chi, Utah, Phoe, Sea, Hou, Lakers).
* Rebounding Margin was minus 4.3 per game (only Vancouver was worse).
* Celtics were 3-12 in games decided by 3 points or less.
|
