Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 13, 1990 TAG: 9006130210
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BOSTON LENGTH: Short
"I think we aren't the team that we were when you talk about the pride and passion," Ford said Tuesday after being appointed to succeed Jimmy Rodgers as Boston's coach.
"If you go back and look at those championship tapes and the pride and the passion that they talk about, I think that it could be we were missing it. But those are the types of things that I want to see instilled."
Ford, the 11th coach in the team's history, said the Celtics need quickness at almost every position to improve its transition defense.
"Last year our turnover ratio was quite high and it resulted in almost two points on every turnover. It's very difficult to win ballgames when you're doing that," said Ford, 41.
Boston went 52-30 during the regular season, but lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA playoffs after winning the first two games of a best-of-five series. Two days later, Rodgers was fired.
Ford, an assistant under Rodgers, said he will look at every facet of the team. A key area is the front line he played with on the Celtics' 1981 NBA championship team - Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, all well into their 30s.
"During this summer, we are going to be dissecting this team and then putting it back together, as far as analyzing it, inspecting it and seeing what parts have to be improved," Ford said.
by CNB