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Michael Holley On Mercer & Bowen
[The Boston Globe Online][Boston.com]
[Boston Globe Online / Sports]
Mercer man of the people
By Michael Holley, Globe Staff, 01/13/99
WALTHAM - Ron Mercer has not forgotten you. Angry about the NBA
lockout? Looking for proof that somebody cares about fans? Mercer is
your man.
Yesterday the Celtics' second-year guard began to solicit suggestions. He
wants to know what can be done to bring fans back to basketball. He heard
about various polls that seem to indicate people are mildly interested - at
best - in the return of the NBA. He wants fans to change their minds about
the game he loves.
''I was hoping you guys could give me some suggestions,'' Mercer said to a
crowd of reporters. They thought he was joking. He was serious. He mentioned
an autograph session, emphasizing that it ''has to be free.'' He also
mentioned a mass distribution of tickets.
This is just one more indication that Mercer is feeling more comfortable as
a leader. During the lockout, he tried to organize a Celtic practice. He
changed agents, from David Falk to an agency owned by rapper Master P. He
also worked out vigorously in Baton Rouge, La., and Los Angeles.
Now all he needs is a suggestion box.
It's a living
So far, Bruce Bowen is the leader in the Most Interesting Offseason
department. ''I had a lot of odd jobs,'' he said. One of them was working
for a funeral home. His fiancee's father owns three funeral homes in the
Fresno, Calif., area, and Bowen needed work. ''I'm not too proud to work any
job,'' he said. Bowen did not morph into a 6-foot-7-inch undertaker, though.
At times, he drove hearses and helped grieving families. When he wasn't
doing that, he was coaching basketball. He said he had his team pressing
like young Rick Pitino disciples. During one game, Coach Bowen was even
tossed because he violated sideline protocol: He stood up on the bench ...
Master P, by the way, is a decent basketball player. ''The more competition
he has, the better he plays,'' Mercer said. ''We played in Baton Rouge and
he did real well there. Once we went out to LA with real NBA players, he
definitely played pretty good. Look for him to make one of the teams in the
NBA.'' The Master may be in town tomorrow or Friday ... Pitino did not
comment on Michael Jordan's retirement ... The Celtics' basketball
operations staff is preparing for the upcoming free agency period, which
will begin - supposedly - Monday. The team is also awaiting word of its
schedule ... Bowen and Mercer were the two new faces on Day Two of the
voluntary strength and conditioning program.
This story ran on page D04 of the Boston Globe on 01/13/99.
© Copyright 1999 Globe Newspaper Company.