Mike Fine (TSN): Pitino Says No Immediate Deals

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

      Boston Celtics
      Team Report posted JULY 31, 1999    

      By TSN correspondent
      Mike Fine
      Patriot Ledger
      The Celtics hosted their first-ever Pro Summer League at UMass-Boston 
      during the week. They made the most of it, improving their summer-league 
      record to 12-0 through Friday. Management checked out opposing free agents 
      and spent time talking to league executives as the Aug. 1 signing date 
      neared. 
      Celtics president/coach Rick Pitino explained the days of an annual 
      rookie/free agent camp were over, and these summer leagues are the way to 
      go. Eight teams, including Philadelphia, Indiana, Seattle, New Jersey, 
      Washington, New York and an overmatched German select squad, participated 
      -- most stocked with young free-agent types who could help somewhere down 
      the road. The competition, said GM Chris Wallace, is far more competitive 
      than an intrasquad rookie/free agent setting. 
      Among those working out were the Celtics' lone draft choice, Kris Clack of 
      the University of Texas, who was taken in the second round (No. 55); free 
      agent Wayne Turner, who played for Pitino at the University of Kentucky; 
      Kevin Ollie, a free agent from the University of Connecticut, and Adrian 
      Griffin, a free agent from Seton Hall who was the CBAšs MVP last season. 
      Celtics veterans included Walter McCarty and Tony Battie. Battiešs 
      brother, Derek, who played at Temple, was given a courtesy look-see. One 
      who left after the opening game was Jeff Sheppard, also of Kentucky. He 
      decided to accept an Italian contract. "He might have made the team," 
      Pitino said after he left. . . . 
      One who didn't work out for the Celtics: oft-injured veteran Pervis 
      Ellison, who missed all of last season after ankle surgery. "I figured we 
      waited this long that he might as well be a 100 percent healthy," said the 
      coach, who had watched Ellison work out earlier at the team's practice 
      facility. 
      PLAYER ANALYSIS 
      After averaging 18.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in leading the Connecticut 
      Pride to a CBA title last season, Griffin is making the most of his chance 
      to make his first foray into the NBA. 
      Typical performance: in a 82-69 win over the Knicks, Griffin looked like a 
      natural, leading the Celtics with 17 points, five rebounds and two steals. 

      "He looked like (John) Havlicek when he first showed up," said ex-Celtic 
      Tom Heinsohn. "If he works at his game, he'll be a player." 
      Added Pitino: "He's wonderful. He's a great finisher and he's got good 
      hands. He looks like our best player, and he's been our best all summer." 
      WHAT'S NEXT? 
      Teams have been working throughout July to set up deals that could be 
      announced Aug. 1, but the Celtics say they wonšt be swinging any immediate 
      blockbusters. "Something may develop in a week or two," Pitino said. "This 
      isn't going to be like college National Letter of Intent Day." 
      The coach has been shopping just about everybody on the roster, especially 
      guards Ron Mercer and Kenny Anderson. One rumor had him shipping Mercer, 
      who has another year remaining on his contract, to Dallas for Samaki 
      Walker and a future No. 1 draft pick, but Pitino nixed it. Instead, he 
      said he had worked out the 6-9 Walker, whom he'd like to sign as a free 
      agent. 
      It's also no secret Pitino would love to have Vin Baker in the fold. The 
      Seattle free agent forward says his first priority is to remain in Seattle 
      but makes no secret about wishing to move back closer to his Hartford 
      home. The Celtics, like almost every other team, however, are capped out, 
      and have only the $2 million and $1 million exceptions to offer. 


    
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