Another negative note on Popeye: He didn't show up for the team photo...
Mitch Lawrence
New York Daily News
Knicks Need a Miracle Worker
<snips>
St. John's' Tyrone Grant not invited to Phoenix
camp only because NBA knew he was having
surgery on right hand and wouldn't be
available. . . . Bulls asked Minnesota
senior Quincy Lewis, "If you were GM, who
would be your No. 1 pick: Yourself,
(Xavier's) James Posey, (Duke's) Elton Brand
or (Miami's) Wally Szczerbiak?" Lewis'
answer: Szczerbiak. . . .One of Celtics' problems
has
been lack of leadership. They were hoping
Popeye Jones would provide some, but as one
Celtic official confided, "It's hard to be a
leader when you're always at the training
table." . . .
Duke super frosh Corey Maggette, is still
irked at Mike Krzyzewski for playing him
only nine minutes vs. UConn in championship
game. He's having his brother investigate
where he'll go in the draft. He's a top-five
pick, so he figures to come out. . . . Now
that Lamar Odom has helped buddy Jerry
DeGregorio secure the Rhode Island job, his
work at URI is over and he can enter the
draft. At least that's what smart money
says. . . . UCLA trying to find a way to
keep PG Baron Davis in school and not enter
NBA draft.
Although Clippers have sent out word that
they're taking Steve Francis with No. 1 pick
if they win lottery — that should be enough
to make Francis turn around and head back to
College Park — we're hearing that they're
torn between taking the Maryland product,
Wally Szczerbiak, Lamar Odom and Elton
Brand. Clips should trade No. 1 pick if they
get it and move down a few spots. They could
come away with a player, and still get the
perimeter threat/PG they sorely need, in
William Avery.