Article on the near Dee for Pooh trade

[Colin Hall <colin@inet-direct.com>]

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CELTICS NOTEBOOK
Brown trade may not go down 
By Michael Holley, Globe Staff, 02/02/98 


If near-trades counted, Dee Brown would be playing his home games in the
Los Angeles Sports Arena. And Pooh Richardson would be wearing green and
white, lounging on a FleetCenter bench. 


But that's only ''if.'' A deal between the Clippers and Celtics could have
happened last week, but there were a couple of hangups. The biggest
involved salaries. The numbers for the guards don't match up, so the teams
would have to discuss additional players. Richardson makes $2.8 million per
season, to $3.5 million for Brown. After this season, both have two years
left on their contracts. So, you might ask, why make a trade? 


Well, the Celtics would be saving about $2 million if they dealt Brown for
Richardson. They also would be performing a public service for Brown. The
captain has said that his top concern is helping the team, not improving
his minutes. But Brown, 29, still has plenty of basketball left. And since
he has played an average of 12 minutes per game during the five games
before last night, he isn't getting much of a chance to show what he can do. 


That situation doesn't look as if it will get better soon since Brown is
behind Ron Mercer and Bruce Bowen in the shooting-guard rotation. However,
last night, the Celtics did seem to be showcasing Brown. When Chauncey
Billups got in foul trouble in the first quarter, Brown was called on to
play point guard for one of the first times this season. He played 21
minutes and had seven points. 


The trading deadline is Feb. 19. 


Shooting star


Bowen had two 3-pointers, both in the fourth quarter. Known for his
defense, Bowen is shooting 37 percent from 3-point range and 40 percent
from the field. Coach Rick Pitino said he sees Bowen developing into a
''Chris Ford type of player.'' ... Not much has changed with Charles
Barkley. He led all players with 16 rebounds and, of course, picked up a
technical ... Brent Price had a very quiet game at point guard. Maybe he
should try rapping or poetry. Check out the rhyme he delivered when
discussing the injured Hakeem Olajuwon: ''He is our leader and our man. If
he can't do it, no one can.'' ... Mercer never got loose all night. He
finished with three turnovers and 7 points in 31 minutes. Greg Minor logged
only five minutes and Tyus Edney did not play. Pitino said Pervis Ellison,
who has been out since Jan. 7 with a sprained right ankle, should be able
to return to practice after the All-Star break. 


This story ran on page D06 of the Boston Globe on 02/02/98. 
© Copyright 1998 Globe Newspaper Company. 


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