Steve Bulpett Questions The Signing Of Skinny Stewart, But Agent Says He's Up To 255

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

                  Boston Herald

                  C's McCarty gives a shoot: Forward works to improve aim
                  by Steve Bulpett

                  Sunday, January 17, 1999
                  <snip>
                  Celtics notes

                  Sources put the Celtic chances of landing free agent
                  center Michael Stewart at 50-50. Stewart's agent, Bill
                  Duffy, would like to get something done quickly, but in
                  that some pursuers, like the Celtics, can best offer the
                  $1.75 million exception, waiting a few days may net his
                  client a good deal more. If other clubs lose out on their
                  first choices, there may be more money available to spend
                  on the 6-foot-10 Stewart.

                  If other teams are looking elsewhere, and if even
                  Stewart's own club, Sacramento, says it is looking for a
                  starting center while hoping to keep Stewart, is he the
                  best answer to the Celts' pivot question?

                  A year ago, the Celts went for slender Travis Knight as a
                  free agent and by February were looking to move his salary
                  to clear cap space. While Stewart is more geared toward
                  center than Knight, Rick Pitino will have to ask himself
                  if he's better off holding on to the money and going back
                  into the market this coming summer.

                  Duffy thinks Stewart can be a starting center in the
                  tougher Eastern Conference.

                  ``Everybody talks about him being 230 pounds, but he's not
                  anymore,'' Duffy said. ``He's 255 now. He worked out all
                  summer to get bigger.''

                  Stewart - also drawing interest from Sacramento, Toronto
                  and Seattle - would fit well with the Celtics, according
                  to his agent. And Pitino mentioned Stewart as a potential
                  target a week ago Friday.

                  ``He's definitely going to rebound and block shots, and if
                  you play him 30 minutes a game, he's going to score 10
                  points just on follow-ups and transition baskets,'' Duffy
                  said. ``And he'd be perfect as the back man in their trap.
                  He runs the floor like a deer.

                  ``I like Rick Pitino and I have a lot of respect for him.
                  He's going to make that team a winner by hook or by
                  crook.''

                  The Celtics are still trying to get free agent Popeye
                  Jones signed.

                  ``I'm not overly confident or unconfident,'' Pitino said.
                  ``We like Popeye and we want to keep him. I'll say we've
                  got to be responsible for our actions, and I wouldn't read
                  more or less into that either way.''