PETER MAY (TSN): BAKER - MENAGE A TRADE WITH THE BULLS? BATTIE GONE QUICKLY..

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

Also says if Pervis can play at the summer league, he may be used 
as trade bait... Any ways, thank God,  some interesting stuff for a
change...

      The Sporting News

      Boston Celtics
      Team Report posted JULY 23, 1999      

      By TSN correspondent
      Peter May
      Boston Globe
      The Celtics may be banned from future appearances at the FILA California 
      Summer Pro League. They ran roughshod over the competition there, 
      finishing with an 8-0 record. The reason? They used a few more ringers 
      than any of the other teams and it showed. 
      While most teams used their rookies and bench players, the Celtics brought 
      in starters Paul Pierce and Vitaly Potapenko and also used Tony Battie, a 
      sometimes starter. Walter McCarty, also a sometimes starter, played as did 
      free agents Bruce Bowen and Eric Riley, both of whom were on the team last 
      season. 
      The quality showed. The Celtics averaged 110 points per game, outscoring 
      opponents by nearly 19 points a game. Pierce, a man among boys out there, 
      averaged 23.6 points a game and shot 54 percent from the field. Pierce was 
      unquestionably the best player in the league and Battie, who averaged 18.6 
      points and 6 rebounds, may have been the second best. Given that Battie is 
      entering the final year of his contract, look for Rick Pitino to explore 
      ways to move him as soon as possible while his value is still high. 
      Another solid performer was Adrian Griffin, the MVP of the CBA, who 
      averaged 12.4 points. 
      The Celtics also got excellent play from undrafted rookie Wayne Turner, 
      who played for Pitino at Kentucky. The Celtics used their vaunted press to 
      maximum advantage and registered an average of 12.3 steals per game. They 
      also forced well over 20 turnovers per game. 
      This coming week, the Celtics will host their own summer league. Over 
      seven days, seven NBA teams and the German Select Team will play in games 
      at UMass-Boston. Also in the league are the Nets, Pacers, Knicks, 76ers, 
      Wizards and SuperSonics. The league will run through Aug. 1. 
      PLAYER PROFILE 
      Last season was a total waste for Pervis Ellison. He waited until November 
      to have ankle surgery and didn't play at all. Now, he's looking to make 
      one more comeback and will be on display this week at the Celtics' summer 
      league. It will be interesting to see if the talented but passionless 
      Ellison has anything left. He is in the final year of a six-year contract, 
      courtesy of M.L. Carr, executive vice president of corporate development, 
      and Pitino isn't all that enthused about having him around. However, if he 
      can play this week, and shows he has something left, he may be used as 
      trade bait because his contract is up at the end of the year. 
      WHAT'S NEXT 
      The Celtics, like everyone else, are waiting for the bell to ring on Aug. 
      1. They have discussed obtaining Vin Baker in a three-way deal that would 
      most likely include Chicago and, possibly, Ellison, as well as Antoine 
      Walker. Everyone on their roster except Pierce is available for the right 
      price. The Celtics had expressed interest in free agent Tony Delk, but 
      Turner's play may have cooled that. Pitino also has expressed an interest 
      in both Michael Curry and Rodney Rogers and will have the $2.1 million 
      exception to offer. The Celtics also have the $1 million exception as well 
      and would like to use both to round out the roster. 



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