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We checked in with Mike Gorman for one final Q&A session on the 200-06 Celtics. Here’s how it went:

1) Did this season go about as you had expected? We knew coming in that without Antoine Walker and Gary Payton that there would likely be some growing pains on the part of the young players, but overall, do you feel that the team took positive steps forward?

Not really….Al Jefferson and Tony Allen being hurt more than not changed everything…Perk’s shoulder injury didn’t help matters …throw in the trade and then Wally having to play on a knee that needed work…and it’s really no surprise this was not a playoff team…I didn’t think the team had growing pains but rather pain pains….ankles…knees…and shoulders…however guys like Delonte…Gerald…and especially Ryan made huge progress.

2) What’s the ceiling for Delonte West? While he may not be a pure point guard, do you think he is capable of someday being a Chauncey Billups-type point guard on a championship team?

Delonte is a very good guard….point…2…whatever…you won’t go too far wrong with D West being part of your regular guard rotation… I believe he can do that on a winning team.

3) Paul Pierce was lauded last month in the Globe for saving his reputation. Was it in need of saving? What changes have you seen in him this season?

Paul was more relaxed this season….comfortable in his skin….it showed on and off the court…and he had the best year of his career…..Paul needed to erase the memories of the playoff series vs Indiana ….he did.

4) How important is this summer and next season for Al Jefferson?

Biggest summer of his young professional life….. Al needs to come back in NBA shape looking to prove something…..if he does….watch out.

5) Wally Szczerbiak will have the offseason to heal up and come in and have a full training camp next fall. What will we see from Wally that perhaps we didn’t get to see much of this season?

I’m guessing if the knee is 100% he’ll move better….maybe shoot it a little better….but Celtic fans should feel pretty happy with what they saw of Wally…bad knee and all…..he plays hard all the time…is better defensively than his reputation…..and makes Paul a better player.

6) What do you see for guys like Ryan Gomes and Kendrick Perkins next year? They’re really solid young players who all really seem to have a lot of maturity and could potentially be leaders and mainstays for this franchise for years.

Perk and Ryan I hope will be around for a long time…..like DeLonte….I believe they can be contributing members of a winning team.

7) Do you see Danny adding a couple of veterans this summer to try and balance out the roster?

Probably….could be some combination of a vet…foreign player…and 4 year college player.

Is there anyone who could be there at slots 5-10 in the draft that you really like for the Celtics?

Brandon Roy from Washington might be a nice fit.

9) Is it unrealistic for Celtics fans to hope and perhaps even expect that this team can make a giant leap forward next season?

No…if everybody remains reasonably healthy….this team can win more than they lose…and be competitive in the first round of the playoffs.

10) Finally, we want to thank you for taking the time to help us with these sessions and look forward to next season. Before we go, a lot of readers have asked about your commute to the games…do you really come up from New York City to call each Celtics game? Has that worn on you after doing it for so many years?

I used to make the drive when my wife was working for the WNBA and our daughter was in school in Manhattan….now I live about a 2 and a half hour drive from the Garden….actually it’s the perfect distance…time to
prepare for and downwind from games.

Don’t live in the city anymore and just to keep the record straight…always wore a Red Sox hat in the Summer….never went over to the dark side.

Look forward to the summer league…the draft…and ultimately camp….better days are ahead.