ORLANDO, Fla. - One year ago yesterday, Rick Pitino coached his last game for the Boston Celtics. There was anxiety and uncertainty as the team - sans Pitino - flew home after a 112-86 loss in Miami.

Yesterday, the Celts went through a brief and uneventful workout here between games on a New York-Orlando road swing. There is calm on the Shamrock sea.

Much of that is the residue of winning, which is, in turn, the residue of the atmosphere on Jim O'Brien's watch. The C's were 12-22 when Pitino left the bridge of the ship; they are 20-12 now. But the difference is more than just numerical.