Marc Cofman: Damon Jones, Bowen, Riley, Garnett Are Gonzo

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

Jeff Sheppard is gone too, as Jersdey Red said, he received a
$300,000 offer from an Italian club.... No mention of Samaki
in the article. With SChintzius and Riley gone, C's need another
center: Could it possibly be Chris Anstey?
      Boston Herald

      C's just deal with it: No summer vacation for management
      Summer League Notebook/by Mark Cofman 
      Wednesday, July 28, 1999
      Sunday marks the final day of play in the Shaw's Pro Summer League at 
      UMass-Boston. It also marks the start of the official signing period for 
      NBA teams, a critical time frame if you work in the Celtics' front office.
      The Celtics will continue to listen to deals involving Antoine Walker. 
      They will also set aside time to continue talks with agents for Ron Mercer 
      and Tony Battie. Both second-year players are up for contract extensions 
      during this offseason.
      ``As far as possible trades are concerned, we're out there exploring 
      possibilities just as every team in the league is right now,'' said 
      Celtics general manager Chris Wallace. ``As far as (negotiations for 
      Battie and Mercer), all that stuff is in the beginning of the process. 
      We'll just have to wait to see how it unfolds.''
      Even if they can't sign Mercer or Battie this summer, the Celtics could 
      keep both for the final year of their contracts and take their chances 
      re-signing them as free agents next year.
      ``The only way these guys can go to another team is in a sign-and-trade,'' 
      said Celtics coach Rick Pitino, referring to any free agents seeking deals 
      in a league filled with teams inhibited by salary-cap constraints. 
      ``There's no money out there. After Chicago, the well dries up.''
      Minor may have major problem
      Pitino won't say it, but three months after Greg Minor fractured his hip 
      in a game against Miami, the veteran guard's basketball future is in 
      doubt. Minor is still walking with the aid of a cane, and there is fear 
      among some in the organization his injury might be a Bo Jackson-type 
      career-ender.
      ``That's something the doctors would have to comment on,'' said Pitino.
      Assuming Minor is not ready to start the season, the Celtics appear to 
      have a number of roster spots to fill. Damon Jones, Marlon Garnett, Eric 
      Riley and Bruce Bowen - all members of the Celtics last season and 
      participants for the team in the Fila League in Long Beach, Calif., 
      earlier this month - will not be back. Dwayne Schintzius, who has a 
      guaranteed contract until Dec. 31, will likely be looking for work on Jan. 
      1.
      Add injury-prone Pervis Ellison's perpetually iffy status and the Celtics 
      suddenly become a prime-time landing spot for rookie and free-agents 
      hopefuls.
      The vacancies have all but assured swingman Adrian Griffin a roster spot 
      and should act as ample incentive for free agents Wayne Turner and Kevin 
      Ollie, as well as rookie Kris Clack.
      Griffin shines against German squad
      Griffin added to his credentials last night with a 25-point performance in 
      the Celts' 118-71 victory over the German squad.
      Griffin hit 9-of-11 shots from the floor and added six steals. Walter 
      McCarty added 18 points. Montrell Dobbins paced the Germans with 16.
      Sheppard decides to Rome
      Jeff Sheppard, who played for Pitino at Kentucky, was impressive in the 
      Celtics' summer-league debut Monday night. Last night he was nowhere to be 
      found - apparently having accepted a $300,000 offer to play in Italy this 
      season. 
      Sheppard's decision apparently caught the Celtics by surprise. Pitino said 
      Sheppard, who recently got married, had an outside chance at making the 
      team. 







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