Bulpett: Stackhouse Trade Not Being Discussed Heavily

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

Steve Bulpett was on WEEI and said he hopes the Celtics will sign
both Mercer and Battie, but they are the wild card.  Then
he said, he knows they want re-sign Battie. 

As far as Mercer goes, Bulpett doesn't like the Stackhouse deal - 
said Jerry has had problems with two teams, and the Celtics should be
able to get more for Mercer.  Also said, he know the Celtics 
aren't discussing the deal heavily.  So this one looks like another
wild rumor put out to pasture. Bulpett did say he mentioned the rumor
in Saturday's Herald - missed that one.

some things Mercer doesn't do: 

"You can't coach that much on the NBA level" - You have to be a manager
- Rick Pitino has to prove that he can do this...

Next season, NBA refs are going to start calling clutching and grabbing
in the lane - Bulpett expects pre-season games to drag on... 

He said Antoine wants to be a leader and wants to win, but it needs
to be manifested in a different way on the court.  Antoine doesn't
quite understand what it takes to win.

Patrick Ewing has always fallen short as far as what a leader should do.
Bulpett sighted Duncan as an example of a leader - he looks like a
15-year
vet.

More on Mercer: Bulpett feels if they're going to deal Mercer, they
should
wait until next year and better offers - He mentioned base year...  

Potapenko: The Potapenko deal was okay by Steve, who described the
Battleship
Potemkin as an average to slightly above average NBA center (Bulpett:
the
Celtics Luc Longley) who could improve, and is a workout fanatic.  
Bulpett did mention the C's would have liked a shot at Andre Miller, who
they 
like, but I would question Miller being there at 8.  I can
see Toronto possibly taking him at five, or Orlando if a Hardaway trade
occurs. Steve said he talked with Pitino the day before the Potapenko
trade
was made -- after having found out the C's were in discussion with the
Cavs --
and Pitino was asking around about whether he should make the deal - I
guess bouncing the idea off people -- and Bulpett told him to go for it.
Bulpett said Pitino was saying: "'What should I do?'" After he found
out, 
the reporters knew about the deal possibly occurring.

So, that was an interesting revelation. Pitino consults with newspaper
reporters about upcoming trades. I wonder if he talked to Jersey Red
about the deal? 
Ray