Bulpett: Calbert Cheaney Won't Be Fazed By Pitino

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

      Boston Herald       

      Calbert can't be hounded: After Knight, Cheaney unfazed by Pitino bark
      by Steve Bulpett 
      Sunday, October 3, 1999
      It has happened before and it will happen again. Rick Pitino will scream 
      and a Celtic will shake his head.
      But one should not expect any static from free agent signee Calbert 
      Cheaney. Pitino may occasionally get nutty, but it's not likely Cheaney 
      will notice.
      ``I'm not that concerned about that,'' the 6-foot-7 swingman said with a 
      smile after finishing a workout in preparation for Tuesday's training camp 
      start. ``I was under coach (Bob) Knight for four years, so, I mean, it 
      doesn't get any nuttier than that.
      ``But,'' Cheaney added, turning earnest, ``I have no problem with the work 
      ethic. Ever since I got here, they really put you to work. And that's 
      great. That's what you need if you want to be a playoff basketball team.
      ``I have no problem with (a coach yelling). I want to be the best player I 
      can be and at the same time try to help other players - just become a 
      better team.''
      Cheaney's days at Indiana have never really become a distant memory. Since 
      leaving in 1993 as a first-team All-American, he has stayed in close touch 
      with the volatile Mr. Knight. In fact, he sought counsel from the coach 
      when deciding whether to come to the Celtics as a free agent or take more 
      money in a sign-and-trade deal and wind up in Miami.
      ``I talked to him, and he had some influence,'' Cheaney said of Knight. 
      ``It was between Boston and Miami, and he likes both coaches (Pat Riley 
      and Pitino) and both programs. He just gave me a little input. I respect 
      coach Knight's help because he's a great coach and a great friend.
      ``I think I was really steering a little bit toward this way before I even 
      talked to coach Knight.''
      Of all that Cheaney is expected to provide the Celtics - points, defense, 
      etc. - perhaps the greatest asset he can bring is maturity.
      At 28, he qualifies as a grizzled veteran on this club, and the coaching 
      staff is confident he is beyond petty personal needs. While informing 
      Pitino & Co. that he is working for a starting job, Cheaney has let it be 
      known he will handle whatever role comes his way.
      Asked to assess the Celtics' needs, he was to the point.
      ``I think there's the youth aspect,'' Cheaney said. ``As you get older, 
      you get a little wiser. And they're getting there.
      ``This team has got a lot of talent on it. They pretty much have 
      everything you need to win and get to the playoffs, and obviously that's 
      the goal here. From what I've seen, everybody's really worked hard and 
      really put the basketball team first as far as getting in great physical 
      and mental condition.
      ``And I expect a lot out of myself,'' Cheaney added. ``I'm not going to 
      lie. The last three or four years have been very disappointing for me, and 
      I just thought it was a good time for me to get a fresh start. I'm not 
      looking to score a lot of points - just contribute and give 150 percent 
      out there on the court.''
      Cheaney has also promised not to awaken on a January morning when there is 
      a foot of snow on the ground and second-guess his choice of Boston over 
      Miami.
      ``Naw,'' he said. ``There's a reason why I came here. This team can be 
      very good, and I want to be a part of that.''