Moiso Receives Praise

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

Moiso lauded, sort of
Celtics Notebook/by Steve Bulpett
Boston Herald
Friday, July 21, 2000


Jerome Moiso ended his four-game summer league run yesterday. The
Celtics' top draftee averaged 11 points and six rebounds. He blocked 10
shots. And he got called a bitch - in a sign of admiration.

The Celts squeezed in a game at 11:30 yesterday morning to accommodate
Moiso's need to return to his native France to attend a cousin's
wedding. The club has four more outings left in the Shaw's Pro Summer
League, but the C's and everyone else in attendance at UMass-Boston got
an eyeful.

``That kid Moiso is going to be an absolute bitch,'' said Mel Daniels,
who's running the Indiana entry while the club sorts out its head
coaching situation. ``I've seen a lot of him and I've always liked him.
He's going to be a handful for a long time in this league. I told a lot
of people that, and some of them didn't listen.''

The Celtics were pleased to get the 6-foot-11 Moiso with the 11th
overall pick last month. They will be even happier when he fills out and
develops the strength to go with his slick offensive moves.

``His length and athleticism are something special,'' said Celtics
associate coach Jim O'Brien, manning the top spot with the summer entry.
``You don't find athletes like that very often. And despite having only
played basketball for a few years, I think he shows a remarkable feel
for the game. I think he's going to be one heck of an NBA player when
all is said and done - when he gets used to it and gets his body a
little thicker. Without a doubt he's got to bulk up, but he's got the
type of shoulders on him that can put on weight.''

While the physical part may be lagging for the 22-year-old, the
requisite good sense appears to be in place.

``These four days showed me I definitely can play, but there's a lot of
hard work to do starting when I come back here and work out and lift
weights,'' Moiso said before taking off yesterday. ``There's a lot of
hard work coming. I've got to get stronger and be ready for that
challenge.

``I definitely have to be stronger and be ready to go against guys like
Rasheed Wallace and all the big fours (power forwards). I have to get
bigger and in shape.''

As for facing the NBA iron, O'Brien believes that time cannot come too
soon.

``He needs to be thrown to the wolves,'' O'Brien said. ``He's a typical
college guy that has always been one of the most talented, if not the
most talented, guy on the court. Now he has to see the difference, and I
think he's going to do well with it. He's an intelligent guy and he'll
be able to adapt positively to the free time that he has and do things
constructively.''

Pitino searches

Rick Pitino took off yesterday on his free agent recruiting tour. As he
noted in Tuesday's Herald, he will speak with guards Hubert Davis, Tariq
Abdul-Wahad and Ron Mercer to gauge their interest.

Veteran point guard Bimbo Coles, brought in for a visit by the Celts,
was still here yesterday. He was seen in the morning speaking to three
Atlanta Hawks officials - GM Pete Babcock, president Stan Kasten and new
coach Lon Kruger. Coles played for the Hawks last season.

Pacer pursuit

The Celtics' main free agent target remains Indiana forward Austin
Croshere. Sources said Croshere is looking for big money, something the
Celtics can't really provide unless a sign-and-trade maneuver is worked
out. But no one has yet contacted the Pacers about such a possibility.

Who says these summer league games are meaningless? O'Brien threw his
clipboard to the floor when no foul was called on Celtic Jerome Allen's
last-second trey try yesterday. Philadelphia won, 81-78.