Cofman on Walker

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

Boston Herald
> 
>       Time to deliver: Deadline's arrived for Pitino, Walker
>       NBA Notes/by Mark Cofman
>       Sunday, September 12, 1999 <snips>
>       A month ago, the Celtics looked like a team prepared to deal their
>       captain. Things have quieted on the trade front since, and three weeks
>       before the start of training camp it now appears Antoine Walker will
>       remain in Boston.
>       This is a good thing. At 23, Walker is far too young and talented to give
>       up on just yet, especially given the alternatives. Teams weren't exactly
>       offering the farm in trade talks involving the 6-foot-9 forward.
>       Indiana, the one team that appeared most interested in swinging a deal,
>       simply didn't have the goods to match talent and salaries, particularly
>       after a proposed three-way exchange involving the since-departed Ron
>       Mercer fell through. So with the heaviest trade winds apparently past him
>       now, Walker appears a lock to return to the Celtics for his fourth NBA
>       season.
>       It's an important season for the organization, but most of all for Walker
>       and Rick Pitino. The Celtics coach and president targeted 1999-2000 - the
>       third year of his regime - as a breakthrough season. The Celtics haven't
>       been to the playoffs since 1995, and Pitino all but promised that drought
>       would end this time around.
>       As it turns out, the central figure in Pitino's postseason quest is Walker
>       himself. The Celtics' deal with Denver all but assured that scenario.
>       Pitino and general manager Chris Wallace added considerable frontcourt
>       toughness and versatility in the six-player swap, but it cost them Mercer
>       and his 17 points per game. And while Paul Pierce might be more than
>       capable of making a successful transition from small forward to Mercer's
>       off-guard spot, he can't be expected to make up for his ex-teammate's
>       sizable point production.
>       That leaves it up to Walker to produce - every game. The offense will
>       pretty much live and die with his numbers. There are others on the team
>       who can and will contribute, but mostly as secondary options. Walker,
>       because he can pass, handle the ball and post up, is where the offense
>       must feed itself. He needs to rebound from his worst pro season to have
>       his best if the Celtics are to go anywhere.
>       Crowded backcourt
>       Pierce's shift to the backcourt has been well-chronicled since Mercer's
>       departure last month. Less publicized, however, is how the deal affects
>       Denver.
>       Mercer is an off-guard, which is one of the Nuggets' deepest position.
>       With Chauncey Billups and Bryant Stith already penciled into the rotation
>       there, Mercer will likely test his skills up front as the starting small
>       forward. The Nuggets feel he's athletic enough to thrive at the position,
>       noting his high elevation will allow him to shoot over taller defenders.
>       The move to the frontcourt also makes Mercer's lack of 3-point range (14
>       percent) less of a factor.
>       With Billups, Stith, Mercer, point guard Nick Van Exel, forward Antonio
>       McDyess and center Raef LaFrentz in the mix, the Nuggets have the makings
>       of an explosive up-tempo team. However, much of their success will hinge
>       on LaFrentz, who is returning from reconstructive surgery on his left
>       knee.
>       The talented second-year center is reportedly ahead of schedule in his
>       rehabilitation, but admits he still has some mental hurdles to overcome.
>       LaFrentz is likely considering the plight of ex-teammate Eric Williams,
>       who returned from similar ACL surgery last year with a clean bill of
>       health and in the best shape of his life.
>       Williams, at times shying away from his trademark drives to the basket,
>       scored a career-low 7.3 points per game. The Celtics are banking the
>       former Providence College star will improve on that average this season as
>       he begins his fifth NBA season and second tour in Boston.
>       Fall River product Chris Herren, expected to be Van Exel's backup in
>       Denver, agreed to a contract last week. Herren, represented by Boston
>       agent Frank Catapano, was the Nuggets' first-round pick this season.
>       Ready, willing and able
>       Summer-league standouts Wayne Turner and Adrian Griffin have been working
>       out daily at the Celtics' HealthPoint practice facility in preparation for
>       training camp. Turner and Griffin were solid, economical signings by the
>       Celtics. Both should contribute off the bench.
>       But their graduation from NBA wannabes to regular roster members following
>       the Shaw's Pro Summer League at UMass-Boston in July has a dual effect for
>       the team in the future, according to Wallace.
>       ``I think we sent a message out there that we're serious about our summer
>       program,'' said the Celtics' GM. ``If the players we bring in for our
>       summer leagues come in and produce and show a strong work ethic, we're
>       willing to step up and sign them.
>       ``We're not just bringing people in for the purpose of filling spots on a
>       summer-league roster. We don't want it to be a meat-market summer camp
>       type of thing. We're serious about evaluating undrafted college players
>       and players coming back from overseas as well as the top CBA talent.
>       ``We had roster spots available this offseason, and Adrian and Wayne came
>       in fully prepared to earn spots. They were rewarded for their efforts.''
>       It's true Pitino falls in and out of love with his players. But it's going
>       to take a lot to change his mind about Pierce, who has followed up his
>       outstanding rookie season with an ambitious and productive offseason
>       regimen. Pierce, who convinced Pitino he could handle the starting
>       off-guard duties with his play in mid-July at the FILA Pro Summer League
>       in Long Beach, Calif., recently returned from a two-week tour of the Far
>       East. He has also been back and forth from his home in Inglewood, Calif.,
>       to work out at HealthPoint.
>