Peter May (TSN) Report

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

Now that the draft order has been set, let the trades begin...


      Boston Celtics
      Team Report posted MAY 22, 1999      
      <snips>
      By TSN correspondent
      Peter May
      Boston Globe
      The Celtics are making plans for a very active summer, but for the first 
      time in years, there will not be the customary, four-day, 
      rookie/free-agent camp which has been a July staple. The reason: the team 
      already is committed to playing in two summer leagues in July and has 12 
      players with guaranteed contracts for next season. 
      The Celtics will play in Los Angeles for 10 days in the annual summer 
      league. In addition to contract players (Dwayne Schintzius, possibly Paul 
      Pierce) the team is hoping to get its own free agents, Bruce Bowen and 
      Eric Riley, to join them. The team also will host a summer league in 
      Boston at the end of July and beginning of August. A half dozen teams have 
      committed to that group, including the Pacers. 
    
      Player Analysis: Antoine Walker has been told to go home to Chicago and 
      return with what Rick Pitino called a "Scottie Pippen body." Last year, 
      Pitino wanted Walker to go home and return with a "Karl Malone body." 
      Either way, Pitino clearly wants Walker to be in shape. This past season 
      Walker reported to camp 20 pounds overweight. He has agreed to hire a 
      personal trainer, so that should help. But does the reference to Scottie 
      Pippen mean that Pitino wants Walker to move to small forward? If it does, 
      don't be surprised if the Celtics make a big deal involving Ron Mercer. 
      That would allow Pierce to move to the backcourt, although, as we've seen 
      with Kobe Bryant, that isn't always the easiest transition, especially on 
      defense. 
     
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