"Hash" Cofman does it again!

[Jim Metz <JBMetzEA@AOL.com>]

Title: "Hash" Cofman does it again!

Is there one new fact or original idea in this column? He writes well and may be a real gentelman, but hash is hash!

JB

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C's Clack back at it: Hopes third time's charm

by Mark Cofman 

Saturday, July 21, 2001




Of all the players who have come and gone through the doors during the Shaw's Pro Summer League's three-year run at UMass-Boston, only one has worn a Celtics uniform in all of the team's games.

Kris Clack has become the host team's summer-league version of Cal Ripken.

Clack obviously couldn't care less about the iron-man streak. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard's diligence in showing up for three years as a summertime Celtic will only be worth it if and when it leads to NBA employment here, or elsewhere.

``I understand the situation with the Celtics,'' said Clack, referring to the overabundance of players under contract at his position. ``I came here confident I could play at this level, so my job was to make others confident of that. In my heart, I feel that I've earned an opportunity.''

The 24-year-old Texas product, selected by the C's with the 55th overall pick of the 1999 draft, has performed well in each of his three go-arounds but has yet to earn his NBA stripes.

``Kris played extremely well for us last summer, and we thought then he was good enough to play in this league,'' said Celtics director of player personnel Leo Papile. ``But when you have so many players under contract, and you have a player who is without a guaranteed contract, well, the situation defines itself.''

That pecking order has even filtered into the summer-league games, during which Clack averaged just 10 minutes per game in the C's first three games. The Celtics have a mob scene at his position with first-round draft picks Joe Johnson, Kedrick Brown and Joseph Forte joining the depth chart.

A big part of Clack's incentive to return this year: Nine other potential employers are competing in this league, which concludes tomorrow with five games. The Celtics own Clack's rights, but would forfeit them if he were to accept an offer from another team.

``I'll continue to do everything I can to make it in the NBA,'' said Clack. ``At some point, though, you need someone to give you the chance.''

Celtics notes

Rob Metcalf, the agent for Khalid El-Amin, continued discussions with Celtics' general manager Chris Wallace regarding the unsigned former UConn point guard. If El-Amin signs on, the C's would have the maximum 15 players under contract. Barring a trade, the chances re-signing guard Bryant Stith would then be even more remote. . . .

The Celtics' two remaining summer games (tonight vs. the 76ers at 6, tomorrow vs. Milwaukee at 1) are sold out.


            
© Copyright by the Boston Herald 
-JB-

                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                Unchain My Heart!