Re: Pitino Basically Says No Boston/Denver/LA Deal

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

The Clippers have, even if Pitino hasn't. A little Birdy tells
me that in BSG's Celtics article coming later today, he's
going to mention the possibility of.... still ending
up with the Celtics.
Ray

Josh Farber wrote:

> After reading this, I really don't think Pitino has shut the door on the 3
> way deal.  I really think this is just one of Pitino's bluffs so that
> afterwars he can say "I really didn't think the deal was possible, and I'm
> estatic about having getting Wahad and having Herren come home to Boston."
>
> I think the deal is still possible.
>
> We'll see what happens.
> Josh
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Way Of The Ray" <wayray@ix.netcom.com>
> Newsgroups: alt.sports.basketball.nba.boston-celtics
> To: "Celtics" <Celtics@igtc.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2000 3:41 AM
> Subject: Pitino Basically Says No Boston/Denver/LA Deal
>
> > Jersey Red loses out to BSG on this one...
> >
> > Walker-Croshere deal not close
> > by Steve Bulpett and Mark Cofman
> > Wednesday, July 26, 2000
> >
> >
> > The Celtics and Indiana Pacers have had some preliminary discussions on
> > a trade that would involve Antoine Walker and Austin Croshere, but
> > sources indicated last night that nothing is close at this point.
> >
> > The deal, as constituted, would send Walker and Dana Barros to Indiana
> > for Croshere, Travis Best and Chris Mullin. It was confirmed to the
> > Herald that those names were raised, but a source said it seemed the
> > Celtics weren't all that enthusiastic about such a deal.
> >
> > According to one source, if the Celts made that a hard and fast offer,
> > the Pacers would jump on it. While Croshere did have a strong NBA Finals
> > against the Lakers, he was still mainly a role player for Indiana. On
> > the other hand, the Pacers believe that Walker is a monster talent
> > awaiting a bit of wisdom before he becomes a major and consistent force.
> >
> > Croshere, who starred collegiately at Providence, received a
> > recruiting-like visit from Celtics coach Rick Pitino at his home in
> > Santa Monica, Calif., earlier this month. But Croshere is coveted by at
> > least six teams, and he recently met with officials from the Toronto
> > Raptors, who presented him with an offer.
> >
> > Meanwhile, Croshere will meet with newly appointed Pacers head coach
> > Isiah Thomas today. Thomas replaced Larry Bird last week.
> >
> > Pacers president Donnie Walsh reiterated that he is trying to keep
> > Croshere, but someone close to the situation said that Indiana has
> > talked to the Celts about Walker on several occasions over the past few
> > years. It was thought that Bird was the one who coveted the Celtics
> > captain, but word is Walsh is also a fan and that Thomas - like Walker,
> > a Chicago native - believes he could be the one to extract Walker's
> > potential.
> >
> > Meanwhile, Pitino was in San Jose last night, where one night earlier he
> > met with free agent guard Tariq Abdul-Wahad, who the Celtics have
> > recently been courting.
> >
> > While the two seemed to hit it off, Pitino was less than enthusiastic
> > about whether the 6-foot-6 defensive standout would ever become a
> > Celtic.
> >
> > ``It was a great meeting. He's a great young man,'' said Pitino. ``I
> > think he would love to be a Celtic but the chances of it happening are
> > remote.
> >
> > ``It would have to be a three-team deal and I think there's too much
> > involved.''
> >
> > If the Celtics are going to land Abdul-Wahad, it would have to be
> > through a sign-and-trade. A three-way deal among the Celtics, Denver and
> > the Los Angeles Clippers has been discussed, with Abdul-Wahad and Fall
> > River native Chris Herren coming to Boston, Barros and (Denver forward)
> > Keon Clark going to LA, and Clippers' free-agent guard Derek Anderson
> > landing in Denver. The Nuggets would also be getting back the
> > first-round pick that they gave the Celtics in last summer's Danny
> > Fortson-Ron Mercer trade.
> >
> > If something along those lines were to take place, Abdul-Wahad would be
> > pleased. He came away from his meeting with Pitino putting the Celtics
> > squarely at the top of his wish list.
> >
> > ``If it happens, honestly, I'm going to be happy,'' Abdul-Wahad said
> > last night. ``I'm not going to complain. It's the Boston Celtics.
> >
> > ``They really like me. They like my game. I like their coach. I'm not
> > difficult. How can you be difficult if the Boston Celtics want you to
> > play for their team. It's like the Yankees. Ultimately, it's going to
> > turn (around) for Boston.''
> >
> > Abdul-Wahad has a number of teams interested in his services, among them
> > Minnesota, Utah, New Jersey, Miami and Toronto. But a source in Denver
> > said he was inclined to hold off on visits with those teams until the
> > Celtics could attempt to work out a deal.
> >
> > The source also said a scheduled meeting tomorrow between Abdul-Wahad
> > and Nuggets coach/general manager Dan Issel might be canceled by the
> > player, pending the Celtics' success in closing a deal.
> >
> > His agent, Paco Belassen, said Abdul-Wahad is ready to play for the
> > Celtics.
> >
> > ``The message really went through,'' Belassen said of Adbul-Wahad's
> > meeting with Pitino. ``(Pitino) talked about how highly he regards the
> > player - his unlimited potential, and defensive prowess. Everything was
> > very sweet from him to make Tariq his top priority.''
> >
> > ``Maybe the best thing that can happen to Tariq is Rick Pitino. I think
> > he can make him a better player.''
> >
> >
> >
> >