– Last season: 48-34, 2nd. Lost 3-1 to Hornets in first round.
– Coach: Chris Ford (4th year, 155-91).
– Probable starters: Robert Parish, Dino Radja, Ed Pinckney, Dee Brown, Sherman Douglas.
– Added: F Dino Radja (Europe), F-C Acie Earl (19), G Chris Corchiani, G Brian Oliver (free agents). Lost: G Reggie Lewis (died), F Kevin McHale (retired), C Joe Kleine (free agent).
– Strengths: There aren’t many. Parish, 40, “hasn’t lost anything yet,” Ford said. Brown and Rick Fox hit the weights and worked on their shooting over the summer. Radja gives the Celtics another banger and Gamble can provide scoring.
– Weaknesses: There’s no way to replace Lewis, who died of a heart ailment over the summer. He was the team captain and the leading scorer (20.8) and the Celtics had nothing after he collapsed in playoffs. Combined with the loss of Larry Bird and McHale, this team will take years to rebuild itself into a contender. McDaniel’s attitude.
– Outlook: Bleak. Someone must score up front besides Parish or it will be a long year in Beantown.
