Chris Wallace On WEEI

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

Celtics GM Chris Wallace was on WEEI today with John Dennis and Jackie
MacMullan (subbing for Jerry Calllahan who was off on an Irish golf
junket),
and had the following to say:

- Radojevic, the 7-3 Serbian is a highly skilled European big man in the
genre of Ilgauskas and Sabonis, but not quite at their level.  His
biggest defeciency is weight, as he's at 240 pounds.  Wallace expected
him to be chosen ahead of Eschmeyer, going somewhere in the top fifteen.
He further stated that if Jamal Magloire and Frederick Weis, have
impressive
pre-draft camp showings, they could move ahead of Radojevic.  The C's
had him 
in for a tryout to just take a look-see, because he was off their radar
screen.
Although Wallace said, last year he went out to Barton CC to scout him.

- The C's aren't looking to acquire a draft choice.

- Lamar Odom would be best going to a veteran team, and he has a Toni
Kukoc-
like approach to creating opportunities for teammates.  Wallace said he
has excellent ball-handling skills.

- Cory Maggette is perhaps the best athlete in the draft - he goes
probably
between 5 and 10.

- Free Agents: C's are interested, and have their $2 million and $1
million
exceptions to sign someone.

- Ron Mercer: Jackie MacMullan brought up an excellent point - Mercer
will demand the maximum, but the C's aren't going to be willing
to do that.  Wallace said they want to re-sign Mercer, but wouldn't
directly respond to MacMullan's comments. 

- Penny Hardaway: Wallace said he doesn't comment on those matters.

- Improving the NBA: Wallace wants there to be less clutching and
grabbing of players going through the lane; also perhaps widening
the lane.

Ray

Ray