RE: Atlanta Journal Constitution says . . .

[OzerskyJA <OzerskyJA@cmog.org>]

sign and trade Nazr for kenny, and we'll even 
throw in a sweetener.  Let's keep those phones
working...it doesn't sound like the Celtics have
Kenny in their plans for next year much....

-----Original Message-----
From: CeltsSteve@AOL.com [mailto:CeltsSteve@AOL.com]
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 1:32 PM
To: celtics@igtc.com
Cc: JBMetzEA@AOL.com
Subject: Atlanta Journal Constitution says . . .


 . . Howard Eisley and Kenny Anderson are two of the best PGs that might be
available to the Hawks. Don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger.


 
http://www.accessatlanta.com/partners/ajc/epaper/editions/today/sports_b3c37
14eb3b48036003c.html

SPORTS TODAY • June 29, 2001  
  
AccessAtlanta.com 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
 
 
Hawks seeking point man

Team plans to deal for ball-handler


Jeffrey Denberg - Staff
Friday, June 29, 2001


If he were going to run a classified ad in today's Journal-Constitution,
Hawks general manager Pete Babcock would describe the requirements for his
new point guard like this: 

"He should be able to run club, distribute ball, get the team into its
offense. He doesn't have to be a guy who's a great shooter, but he should be
able to shoot a little. He should be a good athlete. Somebody who can defend
(shooting guards) as well as (point guards) because of (Jason Terry's slight
stature)." 

"Ideally he should be Magic Johnson," Babcock said. "Work down from there.
If you're lucky you get it all; if not, you get parts of it." 

Babcock's luck is running strong. The Hawks followed up their February trade
of Dikembe Mutombo on Wednesday by acquiring a terrific young forward in
Shareef Abdur-Rahim of Marietta. Mutombo, Lorenzen Wright and Brevin Knight
are gone. In their place stands the starting front line of Abdur-Rahim, Toni
Kukoc and Theo Ratliff, with the prospect of re-signing center Nazr
Mohammed. 

For Babcock, the good fortunes continue. On Wednesday, Babcock's daughter,
Amy, presented her dad with a grandson, Carson Steven DeMoss. 

Then it was back to the marketplace. 

Babcock and the Hawks had a chance at two college point guards during the
NBA draft on Wednesday night and passed. 

Instead of drafting and keeping Iowa State's Jaamal Tinsley with the No. 27
pick that came from Vancouver in the Abdur-Rahim trade, Babcock sent Tinsley
to Indiana. With the No. 34 pick, Atlanta selected Maryland forward Terence
Morris and sent him to Houston. 

In return, the Hawks have two first-round picks that likely will be much
better than the ones they gave up. The Indiana pick will come in the next
three years, protected through No. 18 in 2002, through No. 15 in 2003,
through No. 13 in 2004. The Houston pick must be awarded to the Hawks during
the next three years. 

Atlanta does not have its pick next summer. It goes to the Clippers to pay
for Wright. 

"These are picks we can use or put into trades," Babcock said. 

Babcock said he liked Tinsley and Belgian Tony Parker, who went to San
Antonio. It was a question of degree. 

"Obviously, if we felt very strongly about Tinsley and Parker and felt that
they could both start, we wouldn't have traded the pick," he said. "But with
all the trade conversation we've had, we feel good that we can get something
done. We're going to take our chances on the trade front." 

The Hawks also are interested in bringing back Matt Maloney, who played
effectively until suffering a hand injury last season. A fine spot-up
shooter, Maloney runs the team adequately but is not a penetrating attacker.
He can play beside Terry in situations. 

Among the best point guards who may be available are Howard Eisley of
Dallas, who disappointed in the playoffs, and Kenny Anderson of Boston, who
is small and makes more than $17 million during the next two years. There
are also free agents, with players like Toronto's Alvin Williams. 

"I'm not allowed to mention names," Babcock said, "but we will be looking at
every possible scenario