The streets of Boston still bear the marks of the Lakers ' championship parade's disappointment.
Although Lin Qi was not in his office, his assistant Margaret still diligently completed a thick summary report of the season and neatly placed it on Lin Qi's desk.
Lin Qi is just waiting for his suspension to end in August before he can push open this door.
The first page of the report prominently displays:
In the 2002-2003 season, the Boston Celtics had a regular season record of 62 wins and 20 losses (first in the Eastern Conference and second in the league).
[ Chris Paul Pierce (No. 34) SG/SF, 25 years old]
Averages: 26.2 points / 5.1 rebounds / 5.2 assists / 1.5 steals per game
Field goal percentage: 47.1% for field goals / 39.5% for three-pointers / 84.2% for free throws
Appearances: 81
Honors: All-Star/ All-NBA Second Team
In short, this year is a complete evolution.
This season, Pierce became the undisputed core of Boston's perimeter offense. His sense of rhythm and clutch ability were on full display in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Nets. With his not-so-swift but extremely solid footwork, he repeatedly tore apart the opponent's defense. If he was still a bit green last season, after this grueling Game 7 of the NBA Finals, his eyes now held a confidence that was once only seen in Jordan's eyes.
[ Kevin Garnett (No. 5) PF/C, 26 years old]
Averages: 25.1 points / 12.3 rebounds / 7.2 assists / 1.4 steals / 1.6 blocks per game
Field goal percentage: 51.2% for field goals / 38.0% for three-pointers / 80.5% for free throws
Appearances: 82
Honors: All-Star / All-NBA First Team / NBA All-Defensive First Team
This should have been an undisputed regular season MVP season.
In the final MVP voting, Garnett received 43 first-place votes, narrowly missing out on second place and losing to Tim Duncan of the Spurs. But he didn't care about the regular season trophy at all. He was the absolute pivot of this team on both ends of the court. On offense, his historic high-post playmaking was the soul of Rick Carlisle's system. On defense, his terrifying sweeping range covered from the three-point line to the paint.
In the past season, no media outlet has criticized his playing style as being too soft.
[Ben Wallace (No. 13) C/PF, 28 years old]
Averages: 6.9 points / 15.4 rebounds / 1.2 steals / 3.1 blocks per game
Field goal percentage: 48.1% / Free throw percentage: 68.4%
Appearances: 73
Honors: Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) / NBA All-Defensive First Team
A two-time DPOY champion. The undisputed guardian of the restricted area.
Big Ben's tactical role in the paint remains irreplaceable. His 15.4 rebounds per game earned him the league's rebounding title this season. He is one of the very few centers in the league who can make Shaquille O'Neal O'Neal feel quite uncomfortable in one-on-one situations.
The no-fly zone he created in the paint was the strongest source of confidence for Boston's perimeter players to press aggressively.
This year, my shooting percentage has also dropped significantly due to practicing mid-range shots.
[ Chauncey Billups Billups (No. 4), PG, 26 years old]
Averages: 13.5 points / 5.8 assists / 3.2 rebounds / 1.1 steals per game
Field goal percentage: 44.8% for field goals / 39.2% for three-pointers / 89.5% for free throws
Appearances: 80
With accumulated game experience, Billups has mastered the art of controlling the pace of the game. His overall vision, accurate three-point shooting, and strong physique make him not only the initiator of the offense but also the first line of defense on the perimeter.
Even when facing Kidd's tenacious defense in the NBA Finals, he was still able to consistently pass the ball to the most needed position.
[ Rasheed Wallace (No. 30) PF/C, 28 years old]
Averages: 15.2 points / 7.4 rebounds / 1.5 assists / 1.3 blocks per game
Field goal percentage: 47.0% for field goals / 38.5% for three-pointers / 77.0% for free throws
Appearances: 78
His locker room was very popular, and it was also the finisher with a very high margin of error in the Boston tactical system.
During the regular season, he often appeared nonchalant, but in the playoffs and the NBA Finals, when he played center against O'Neal, the core strength he had worked hard on during the offseason showed tremendous value. His ability to stretch to the three-point line was the key to breaking down opponents' interior defense.
[ Ron Artest (No. 37) SF/SG, 23 years old]
Averages: 10.2 points / 5.1 rebounds / 2.3 steals / 0.6 blocks per game
Field goal percentage: 43.5% for field goals / 33.6% for three-pointers / 71.2% for free throws
Appearances: 75
Honors: NBA All-Defensive Second Team
Defending against vicious dogs is also like a ticking time bomb.
While his emotional control on the court has improved, his defensive actions remain rough and aggressive. His relentless humiliation and physical battles that skirted the rules when defending Jordan in the NBA Finals cemented his reputation as the league's number one thug.
[ Dwyane Wade (No. 9) PG/SG, 21 years old]
Averages: 10.8 points / 3.1 rebounds / 2.5 assists / 1.2 steals per game
Field goal percentage: 46.5% for field goals / 28.7% for three-pointers / 74.5% for free throws
Appearances: 65
This rookie with lightning-fast speed earned more playing time than expected during the regular season. His powerful first step and fearless drive to the basket made him a natural in the second unit. Although he missed that game-winning mid-range jumper in double overtime of the NBA Finals, everyone knew that this young man's potential was far greater than that; all he lacked was a reliable mid-range and long-range shot.
[ Tayshaun Prince (No. 41) SF/PF, 23 years old]
Averages: 3.2 points / 1.1 rebounds / 0.6 assists / 0.3 blocks per game
Field goal percentage: 44.9% for field goals / 42.2% for three-pointers / 75.0% for free throws.
Appearances: 28
He displayed mature court intelligence in his rookie season. With his excellent wingspan and lateral quickness, he perfectly integrated into Rick Carlisle's defensive system. On offense, he didn't dominate the ball and his cuts were perfectly timed. He was like a quiet but perfect piece of the puzzle, always appearing where the team needed him.
[ Raja Bell (No. 26) SG/SF, 26 years old]
Averages: 4.8 points / 1.1 rebounds / 0.9 assists / 0.9 steals per game
Field goal percentage: 42.1% for field goals / 38.5% for three-pointers / 80.0% for free throws.
Appearances: 72
During the regular season, he took on a lot of the dirty work, tearing apart the opponent's outside shooters. And from the corner, his reliable three-point shot became a key weapon for the team to create space.
Gerald Wallace (No. 45) SF/PF, 20 years old
Averages: 3.5 points / 2.3 rebounds / 0.8 steals / 0.5 blocks per game
Field goal percentage: 48.2% for field goals / 21.4% for three-pointers / 58.5% for free throws
Appearances: 25
The most athletic young man on the team. He plays with relentless passion, often delivering powerful dunks on fast breaks or smashing through from the weak side to complete volleyball-style blocks. Although his defensive habits still need refinement and his shooting isn't entirely consistent, his tireless drives to the basket always ignite the atmosphere at TD Garden during rotations.
Tyson Chandler Chandler (No. 11) C/PF, 20 years old
Averages: 4.2 points / 5.1 rebounds / 1.2 blocks per game
Field goal percentage: 54.5% / Free throw percentage: 66.9%
Appearances: 48
As a backup center, he received valuable playing time when Ben Wallace or Rasheed Wallace were resting or absent. This year, the team's medical and training staff continued to refine his lower body core strength and power chain, even arranging yoga classes for him to improve his flexibility. However, despite his obvious rim-protecting talent, he was still plagued by some inexplicable minor injuries this year, resulting in intermittent playing time, and his physical durability still needs further testing.
[ Brian Scalabrine (No. 44) PF/C, 25 years old]
Averages: 2.1 points / 1.2 rebounds / 0.4 assists per game
Field goal percentage: 41.5% for field goals / 30.0% for three-pointers / 75.0% for free throws.
Appearances: 24
"Gino Time" Appearances: 24 times
The guardian spirit beside the water cooler in Boston, and the " Human Victory Cigar " at the New Garden.
His tactical awareness is extremely high; he can even recite every complex play drawn up by Rick Carlisle from memory, although he usually only demonstrates this to the coaching staff during team practice. During the game, his greatest contributions were his amazing arm strength when waving a towel and his old-school, solid spin layup off the backboard when he came on during garbage time with the team leading by twenty points, which elicited deafening cheers from the entire crowd.
If we only consider his ability to create a lively locker room atmosphere and provide emotional value, he deserves a top salary.
[Memet Okur (No. 12) C, 24 years old]
Averages: 3.5 points / 2.0 rebounds / 0.3 blocks per game
Field goal percentage: 44.2% for field goals / 35.5% for three-pointers / 81.2% for free throws
Appearances: 18
Because Boston has such a deep roster of interior players, this Turkey big man hasn't gotten many playing opportunities this season.
With Garnett, Ben Wallace, and Rasheed Wallace dominating the game, and Tyson Chandler Chandler, who has even greater potential, needing further development, Okur's relatively weak rim protection in Rick Carlisle's system, which emphasizes lateral movement and physical play, has relegated him to the bottom of the rotation. He spends most of his time on the bench, quietly observing the game and honing his exceptional three-point shooting ability for his height in the gym. He's a diamond in the rough, but Boston simply doesn't yet have the playing time to give him a chance.
These exceptionally talented young men are absorbing the winning culture at a remarkable pace within the disciplined Boston team, becoming indispensable pieces of the puzzle.
[Playoff Record]
First round: 4-0 sweep of the Miami Heat
Second round: 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers
Eastern Conference Finals: 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Nets
NBA Finals: 3-4 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers
[Annual Awards Summary]
Regular season MVP: Tim Duncan ( San Antonio Spurs )
NBA Finals MVP: Shaquille O'Neal O'Neal ( Los Angeles Lakers )
Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich ( San Antonio Spurs )
Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Wallace ( Boston Celtics )
Rookie of the Year: Amar'e Stoudamire ( Seattle SuperSonics )
Sixth Man of the Year: Bobby Jackson ( Sacramento Kings )
Most Improved Player: Gilbert Arenas Gilbert Arenas ( Orlando Magic )
All-NBA First Team: Tracy McGrady, Kobe Brian, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal O'Neal
All-NBA Second Team: Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, Chris Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki, Ben Wallace
All-NBA Third Team: Steve Nash, Stephen Marbury, Grant Hill, Chris Webber, Jermaine O'Neal
NBA All-Defensive First Team: Jason Kidd, Kobe Brian, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Ben Wallace
NBA All-Defensive Second Team: Eric Snow, Gary Payton, Ron Artest, Bruce Bowen, Shaquille O'Neal O'Neal
Margaret closed the thick summary report.
The triumphs and regrets of this season have already been sealed on paper.
For the Boston Celtics, when their owner Lin Qi pushed open that door in August...
Some interesting things are going to happen this summer.