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Bulpett: Stewart May Sign With The C's; Schintzius Will Receive Minimum Contract
Contrary to a report in yesterday's Toronto Sun, Stewart is still
unattached...
Boston Herald
Stewart a possible addition
Celtics Notebook/by Steve Bulpett
Wednesday, January 20, 1999
With the Travis Knight for Tony Battie deal done and
Popeye Jones and Antoine Walker ready to sign new
contracts, the Celtic wheels were still turning last
night.
Michael Stewart, thought to be ready to sign in Toronto,
was expected in Boston late last night to meet with club
officials.
Stewart and agent Bill Duffy spent yesterday speaking with
the Raptors, but word is that Toronto is offering the
lesser of the two exceptions ($1 million, with the $1.75
million slot ticketed for Alvin Williams). That means the
Celts could swoop in on the 6-foot-10 shot blocker with
the higher figure.
Celtics president and coach Rick Pitino and his people
weren't kidding when they said after last season that
inside help was the club's primary need. Including Jones,
who didn't play because of knee surgery after being
acquired from Toronto last February, the Celts could have
four new bodies under the boards when camp opens (tomorrow
at the earliest, as the last details of the new collective
bargaining agreement drag out.)
Dwayne Schintzius is expected to come in for the minimum
and try to fill the need for a large body to lean on the
bigger foes. Marlon Garnett, a 6-foot-2 guard from Santa
Clara, is the only smaller player in town looking for a
spot.
The gamble on Schintzius, 30, is seen as worthwhile by the
club. After sitting out last year because of ankle
surgery, he is in good shape and may be ready to get his
career in order.
While unable to discuss free agents and deals in anything
more than general terms, Pitino talked yesterday about
teams in the division getting larger (Jim McIlvaine to New
Jersey, Matt Geiger to Philadelphia, Isaac Austin likely
to Orlando).
``We need athleticism to combat that, but we also need
size,'' Pitino said. ``Our opposition's getting a lot
stronger. We can't get caught left in the dust with
size.''
Trade clears room
The Knight deal is a positive step for the Celts on two
fronts. In addition to picking up Battie, who struggled
with the tougher NBA game at times as a rookie but could
fare better in Pitino's system, the trade also provides
better flexibility.
Knight had six years and $20.4 million left on his
seven-year contract, while Battie will make a 50-game
prorated amount of his $2,238,960 this season and
$2,530,920 next. At that point, the C's will have a better
handle on whether to keep him. Even if Battie and the
Celts part company, they may have some cash to spend in
the marketplace.
``I think it's a good trade for us,'' said Walker after
ticking off his teammates by begging for fouls during
scrimmages. ``We're definitely going to miss Travis'
outside shooting in the system we run, but it brings us a
more athletic shot blocker.
``I think (Knight) liked playing for Del Harris and the
Lakers. But Boston's been good to him. He got his contract
here and now he gets to go back out there. The Lakers have
always been one of the top contenders in the West, so it's
a good situation for him.''
As for Walker's calls, Jones said: ``I tell you what,
Antoine's rough. I told him, `You were cheating all day.'
I (stole the ball from) him one time and he called a foul.
He said, `No, you didn't foul me, but the move was too
good to not call a foul.' ''
Replied the competitive Walker: ``Oh, I am a cheater. I
admit it.''
Players become antsy
There is displeasure among the players with the failure to
get the agreement on paper. The word from the NBA last
night was that camps, originally set to begin last Sunday
or Monday at the latest, now won't open until tomorrow at
the earliest.
``We spent six or seven months waiting to see what we were
going to do and now we're waiting again,'' said Ron
Mercer. ``Hopefully everything will get worked out and
we'll get started.''
It's troubling to rookie Paul Pierce.
``Every day they're saying it's the next day. Then I come
in and they still haven't gotten it done,'' he said.
``It's a little frustrating. We've got an exhibition game
next week (Tuesday in Toronto).
``I haven't played in an official game in almost a year,
so I'm very anxious to get out there. I hope it starts
real fast so I can get some experience under my belt. It's
going to hurt me if we start playing and I haven't really
learned the system.''
Walker thinks otherwise.
``I love him,'' Walker said of the No. 10 overall pick
from last June. ``I love a guy who's very athletic.''