re:Shaw roster etc

[j.hironaka@unesco.org]

INFOBEAT reports:
The United States won its 10 games in this tournament by an average of
31.6 points, down slightly from the 1996 Olympians' average margin of
32.3. For Canada, the lone bright spot Sunday was the play of center
Todd MacCulloch, a second-round draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers who
had game-high totals of 22 points and 16 rebounds.

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Wow, 22 points and 16 rebounds against Duncan, Garnett and friends. I
wonder if Todd MacCulloch could be this year's Brad Miller?

In other news, the Boston Herald reports that the Celtics opening roster
includes for the Shaw tournament includes Kentucky alums Andre Riddick
and Jeff Sheppard, along with Walter McCarty, Tony Battie, Pervis
Ellison and Wayne Turner. The article said Vitaly and Pierce could make
an appearance, but that free agents Bruce Bowen, Marlon Garnett and Eric
Riley are not included on Boston's official roster. No mention at all of
Antoine Walker or Ron Mercer, which I suppose raises questions.

Indiana is sending Mark Pope, Austin Croshere and former HS star Al
Harrington, not to mention Larry Bird.  Jeff Van Gumby is bringing Fred
"Edel" Weis, PC's God Shamgod and former Celt Roy Rogers. The Nyets have
an interesting roster with 5-4 Shawnta Rogers and 7-7 Georghe Muresan,
plus two former PC stars in Eric Murdock and Jamel Thomas. Philly brings
Larry Hughes plus ex-Pitino players Nazr Mohammed and Allen Edwards.

Joe

p.s. Personally, I think Vin Baker has a better chance (read: a "fatter"
chance) of repeating last year's miserable stats than Penny Hardaway
does. If the proposed August 1st sign-and-trade gives Vinnie the same
length contract as Antoine but at 87 million dollars, then I think it is
obvious Pitino will try to sneak into the playoffs as promised and then
leave Boston high and dry after the first round exit. Normally I'm
skeptical but I think Pitino really wants to spend the off-season
reclaiming fading vets like Vinnie Baker and Rodney Rogers at the cost
moving too-young-to-get-him-into-the-playoffs forwards like Antoine and
Battie. A Vin Baker deal will certainly be applauded by Boston fans and
writers (Peter May), even factoring in a worst-case scenario whereby the
trade comes out slightly lopsided.