Herald articles

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

Bulpett speculates that Moiso will go on pseudo-injury list, along with
Herren initially. Tough calls. McCarty hasn't done squat to earn a job
this camp, but he knows the system so well. Also, a flattering Bulpett
article on Walker.


Pitino nears decision time
Celtics Notebook/by Steve Bulpett
Wednesday, October 25, 2000

ATLANTA - The Celtic roster quickly is coming into focus and there
doesn't appear to be a lot of wiggle room.

The club must trim the roster to 12 by next week, with three spots
available on the injured list. At present, the Celts have 18 players,
but two of them - Greg Minor and Hot Rod Williams - are out of the
picture with retirement injuries. Coach Rick Pitino hasn't even had a
conversation with Williams, a contract thrown in to make the Danny
Fortson four-way deal work.

As it stands now, the Celts likely will waive Williams, keeping Minor on
the injured list to use as a possible trade facilitator to make the
aggregate salaries match up.

Rodney Elliott and Jason Miskiri are scheduled to be the cuts, barring a
late deal. That would bring the Celtics to 15, meaning two players will
have to join Minor on the injured list.

If no one gets truly hurt by next week, Pitino will have some decisions
to make. If Chris Herren is ready to go by the opener, the coach may be
reluctant to stash him on the list for a short time because of the
nagging injuries the other backup point guard Randy Brown suffered this
preseason. Also, Herren played well before twisting his left ankle on
Saturday. Top draft pick Jerome Moiso is a strong candidate for an
alleged sore back or something, in that he has much to learn.

Until he gets ready, Pitino said Walter McCarty will be getting some of
the minutes the rookie would have had.

Herren status up in air

Herren rode a stationary bike yesterday, but Pitino said he's unsure
whether he'll be ready to go by the exhibition finale Friday against
Orlando at the FleetCenter. . . .

The following is an non-paid non-political advertisement: Newly acquired
Bryant Stith is having trouble finding local digs for his family. So if
you have or know of a home, apartment or condo for rent, read on. Stith
needs at least three bedrooms (``four would be better,'' he said) in the
Waltham area.

He has two daughters and two sons and would like space for visiting
family. If you can help, contact the Celtics' office and the message
will get to Stith.

``It's been hard finding something,'' he said. ``I want to get my family
here, but right now they may have to go to Virginia for a while.''

Walker believes in team
by Steve Bulpett
Wednesday, October 25, 2000

ATLANTA - Antoine Walker is a veteran presence. He is a team leader. He
is the voice of reason when things get crazy during the long and winding
course of an NBA season.

And - oh, yeah - Walker is all of 24 years old.

As the Celts near the end of their preseason schedule, Walker is talking
optimistically, speaking of pride in his role and a belief the club he
co-captains with Paul Pierce will be far better than many people are
believing these days.

``We went through rough times, but once we get our team together, we're
going to be right in the middle of it this season,'' said Walker, who
led the Celtics against the Hawks last night. ``You just watch. People
are saying things about us now, but you wait and see what happens when
we get everyone ready.''

Through the early part of the exhibition slate, Walker appeared
different in some regards (his jumper is generally cleaner than before)
and similar in others (he still is likely to go 1-on-3 when he could
open the floor with his passing). At this point, he is looking at the
bigger picture, particularly where his teammates are concerned.

``I understand the game a lot more than in my previous years, so I'm not
really concerned with myself,'' Walker said. ``I'm going to be out there
and I'll be able to get mine, so I'm not worried about myself
individually.

``I'm worried about these other guys picking up on what coach is wanting
offensively and defensively so we can start to perform better and start
to get some Ws.''

He is well aware that much of the onus for that will be on his
shoulders, something he accepts as captain. And that role has meaning
for Walker.

``Being a captain of this team and this organization, it brings a lot of
tradition, a lot of pride,'' he said. ``It's always a privilege to be
the captain of the Celtics.''

This year he is joined as captain by Pierce and he is looking forward to
carrying the association a good way down the road.

``Me and Paul feel like we can get that done together,'' he said of the
inside leadership. ``We've just got to lead by example, make sure some
of these new guys understand things.

``It makes us feel good. It's good to know the organization feels like
we're the two guys who can lead this team at a very young age and be the
cornerstone of the franchise. They think we can turn it around and it's
nice when people have that kind of confidence in you.''

-----------------