Celtics - NBA Notes 6-7-98 Vol. 1)

[witchcraft1998@hotmail.com (Witch)]

Steve Bulpett - Boston Herald

Some interesting news in a indirect way from Bulpett.  He was
talking about local product, Boston's Randell Jackson, whose stock has
risen in the draft, to the point where he may well be a low first round pick.
But the intriguing thing that Steve mentions is: "The fact rookies will likely
sign five-year deals in the new collective bargaining agreement..."  That would
seem to increase the possibility of Il Duce drafting a high school player, or
a Lamar Odom type.

As far as the 6-11, Randell Jackson goes, his former coach, Celtics head scout Leo
Papile is high on him. As Leo says: "'He's shown very, very well here... I think he's
an NBA player; the question is when.  He's raw, but you're not going to see a more 
mobile 6-foot-11 guy.  Some of the things he was doing in drills just had guys 
gasping because he was so mobile.  And he's still growing into his body.'"

Sounds like the second coming of Walter McCarty.  Let's hope he's a better shooter.


Peter May - Boston Globe/Sporting News

May in the Globe tells us Houston's Akeem Olajuwon and his $14 million annual salary 
may be on the trading blocks.  To quote the Celtics GM Chris Wallace about the 
Rocket's situation: "'... You can ride out his career and then build a statue of the 
guy in front of the arena (WC: What the C's did with the Big 3).  Or you can see 
what's out there, make a deal, and try to make another run."

Wallace also chimes in on the players who have helped their draft position.  The 
consensus seems to be, that Valaparaiso's Bryce Drew made the biggest gain.  Wallace 
says of him: "'It helps that there are already players in the league who do what he
does... Guys like Brent Price and Matt Maloney.'"

Other players who acquitted themselves nicely include Ruben Patterson, a 6-6 
defensive demon/athlete from Cincinnati; Ricky Davis; guard Greg Buckner from Clemson
and Tyronn Lue.  One notable flop was Lee Nailon.  Wallace notes:"'... The problem 
for him is that he's 6-8 is that he's 6-8 but he's not a rebounder and I don't see
him playing small forward.'"   Sorry Owen O'Malley, whom had the C's taking Nailon 
with the tenth pick.

So who are the C's going to have in for tryouts?  May via the Sporting News, gives us 
an indication: "Among the players likely to pass through Boston in the coming days -- 
the Celtics are very protective of the process -- Michael Doleac, Keon Clark, Lamar 
Odom, Al Harrington and possibly Nazr Mohammed, although Pitino knows him as well as 
anyone."

Can the C's find a quality player at ten?  As May indicates: "There is also a serious 
question as to whether the Celtics could get anyone who could really help them at No. 
10.  pitino says he want someone who can score and, preferably, someone who also 
could move into the starting lineup and, even more preferable, a forward or center.
That would mean the individual would have to beat out Walter McCarty... because there 
is unlikely to be a starting, scoring center at No. 10, or at No.1 for that 
matter..."

WC