Peter May's (TSN) Usual Stuff

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

Nate Huffman is an interesting Celtics tryout. Skinny 7-1 center
kicking European butt with Maccabi... Someone tell May, that the C's 
already turned down Harrington from Vancouver. 


Boston Celtics
Team Report posted JUNE 22, 2000      

By TSN correspondent http://www.sportingnews.com
Peter May
Boston Globe


With the free-agent season approaching, the Celtics, like most teams,
have only the league-allowed exceptions to offer. But come July 1, Rick
Pitino will do what he does best -- sell -- and see if he can add
someone who might help his team get into the playoffs. 

The needs are obvious: size at point guard, strength up front, a scorer
off the bench. There's also the ticklish situation with free agent Danny
Fortson, who, you may recall, was traded to Toronto and then brought
back when the deal fell through. He wants money and playing time and the
Celtics may be disinclined to offer much of either. . . . 

The team went through the 2000 NBA draft without a second-round pick for
the second straight year. The Knicks, who last year passed on their
option to take the pick, swooped in this year and took it. The pick,
39th overall, was the final payment on one of many dubious Pitino
dealings. 

After spending more than $30 million on free agent Chris Mills in 1997,
he traded him to New York less than two months later for a pile of New
Yorkers, the best of which has turned out to be the mediocre Walter
McCarty. 

The Celtics included a future second-round pick in the deal. The team,
which traded its No. 1 in 1999, now has all of its own draft picks down
the road, including a No. 1 from Denver which can be exercised over the
next several years. . . . 

Boston's lack of interior defense and shot blocking has led them to
inquire about a couple of disgruntled players out West. The Celtics
inquired about the availability of Jermaine O'Neal, the young Portland
center/power forward who wants more playing time. 

The team also is interested in Othella Harrington from Vancouver, who
doesn't like playing in Canada and may become expendable with new
management as well as with the Grizzlies' draft choices. 

While Pitino may be loathe to surrender that future No. 1 from Denver,
it may be the only way to help secure either player -- or anyone else
that the team is eyeing. Other than Paul Pierce, the Celtics don't have
anyone for trade who makes basketball or economic sense. 

 

WHAT'S NEXT 

While the real land rush starts Aug. 1, the courting period for free
agents begins July 1. That's the day teams can start talking seriously
to free agents and the Celtics will be placing calls. 

They won't be major players because of money constraints, but someone
like Adonal Foyle might interest the team because of his size and shot
blocking capabilities. They've also worked out Nate Huffman, a former
college center who has been playing overseas.