re:Cofman and the "second looks"

[Joe Hironaka <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

Celts consider prospects
by Mark Cofman
Monday, June 26, 2000

For their part, the Celtics worked out about 15 players, inviting four
back for second auditions. Those getting a second look were UCLA senior
center Jerome Moiso, Missouri sophomore point guard Keyon Dooling,
Hofstra senior point guard Craig Claxton and power forward Olumide
Oyedeji, a 19-year-old Nigerian who has played in Germany the past two
years after beginning his pro career in Moscow in 1998.

*****

A second look doesn't really have to mean anything, assuming that one
look was enough for some of the other 15 players reportedly tested by
the Celtics. It seems possible, too, that the Celtics are getting swap
offers to trade down (for Speedy or Dooling). Frankly, Wallace wouldn't
have any need to make this public information unless it made sense for
the Celtics team (i.e. as misdirection).

I would second Mark Berry's comments on Dooling as "Chauncey Redux". Who
know, but at least the two share the following similarities. Both are
mediocre 40% career collegiate shoot-first 6-3 guards who emphatically
haven't proven they can play the point at any level (Dooling averaged
3.5 assists, Chauncey average 4.0). Both seem to fit Pitino's conception
of the ideal "teachable" PG in terms of body type and other
"measurables". Both are entering the draft before they are ready, if
they ever will be.

I can't think of any examples of a manufactured NBA point guard. If you
don't have the instincts, it doesn't matter how much your body fits the
"type".

The sorry part is that Dooling actually had a good point guard mentor in
coach Quinn Snyder, to no avail. The Celtics might spend their money
better by re-signing Chauncey for 2 million, which is more than he is
presently worth.


Joe


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