Great Stuff From Michael Holley

[wayray@ix.netcom.com (Way Of The Ray)]

In today's Boston Globe, Michael Holley has some great stuff.
I mean, really great stuff.  Let's start with the fact that it was Peter Vecsey 
who called the "Celtics war room" and told them that the Bucks were planning to 
draft the guy they wanted all along, Dirk Nowitzki.  Vecsey you killjoy.  And 
boy did the C's want Nowitzki.  As Holley says: "Rick Pitino and his staff were 
so confident that they could get Nowitzki that early during the draft, Celtic 
representatives were on the phone speaking with the 20-year old center.  
Nowitzki was telling them how excited he was with the idea of playing in 
Boston."  But then of course, Milwaukee cut the deal with Dallas, and Nowitzki 
was lost.

And the ironic thing is, the Bucks had earlier offered the C's the ninth 
choice, in return for the tenth pick and Celtics taking the contract of center 
Andrew Lang.  And of course the Celtics lost the coin flip with Milwaukee too,
so the Fates seemed to have intervened against Dirk coming to Boston.

Derrick Coleman: Holley has him signing with the Bulls, after Philly enables 
his $5 million buyout clause.  Will this be the end of Dennis Rodman with 
Chicago and would Il Duce consider him as a free agent?

Antoine Walker: Despite what Pitino said about him not being offered in any 
trade talks, according to Holley: "Two Western Conference teams, however,
insist that the Celtics dangled their 6-9 captain in an effort to move up.
Word out of Los Angeles is that there was a Walker-for-Michael Olowokandi deal 
proposal (the No. 10 pick was not involved) which the Clippers seemed 
interested in until... well, until Falk had a meeting with the Clippers Monday
afternoon."  So did Falk put the Kibosh on a prospective deal?  

Tyus Edney: He's bulked up, but the C's are going to not pick up his option.
$500,000 will be added to the C's salary cap booty.  Bruce Bowen, on the other 
hand, will be re-signed before Tuesday.

Travis Knight: Both the Lakers and the Jazz were interested in him, and Michael 
says he was "close to packing his bags".

Nazr Mohammed: Both Antoine Walker and David Falk were hoping the C's would 
draft him.  Falk even called the Celtic offices Wednesday and inquired about 
the C's taking Nazr.  "The Celtics said they weren't going to take him (word 
is, that they weren't thrilled when Utah's Michael Doleac checked out faster
than Mohammed in a running drill).  Falk relayed the news that Walker would 
find the news very disappointing."  Hmmmm.  Sounds like a threat.

Dontae Jones: Most likely will be history soon.  He's been blowing off 
workouts, and continuing his behavior from his New York days where his
fines "reached a record $80,000 for the season."

Ron Mercer: A "chance" he could have been dealt to the Nuggets Wednesday.
Remember who Denver drafted...

Paul Pierce: Cleveland was hot after him.  They offered Wesley Person and more 
for him during the draft.  Holley says to keep the Cavaliers in mind, if the 
C's decide to deal Pierce.
WC