Blount gets deal done

["Stephen Beauregard" <sb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Blount gets deal done

Center opts to stay with Celtics

By Shira Springer, Globe Staff, 7/17/2003

ree agent Mark Blount knew he would return to Boston 10 days ago when general
manager Chris Wallace and director of player personnel Leo Papile flew to Boca
Raton, Fla., for a visit. All it took was dinner at Morton's Steakhouse to
convince Blount he belonged with the Celtics, even if that meant signing a
deal for less money than other teams were offering.



Yesterday, the Celtics re-signed Blount to a two-year deal worth approximately
$2 million with a player option the second year. The 7-foot center received
several offers starting at the $1.5 million exception, but he felt most
comfortable remaining in Boston.

''Chris Wallace and Leo Papile took the time to come down and have dinner with
me,'' said Blount. ''That sent the message that they really wanted me. After
those guys came down and we had a great conversation over dinner, it was just
a matter of getting it done.

''I could have gone somewhere else. But I just looked at what we were trying
to do in Boston, what the overall picture was. That was more important than
trying to go somewhere else in the NBA. I'm very comfortable with my
situation. I looked at it and said, `Let's keep what we're doing here and keep
moving forward.' ''

Boston wasted no time bringing back Blount, making the new deal official on
the first day players were allowed to sign contracts. By signing Blount to a
deal worth more than the veteran minimum, the Celtics showed they were willing
to spend extra when they deemed it necessary. Although Boston could not match
the offers being made by some of the other suitors, director of basketball
operations Danny Ainge remained flexible in his dealing with Blount's agent,
Mark Bartelstein.

''It was a tough decision because he had a number of people pursuing him,''
said Bartelstein. ''People really liked the way he played the second half of
the season for the Celtics. But he felt like he was in the process of building
something there. He felt he was making a lot of strides with the Celtics and
with the coaching staff. He wanted to see it through and see where he could
take it to. He's making basically an investment in himself and the Celtics.
One that we really hope is going to pay off.''

After being reacquired by Boston at the trading deadline last February, Blount
averaged 4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds over 27 regular-season games. The center
played in all 10 of the Celtics' playoff contests, averaging 3.1 points and
3.6 rebounds and blocking a total of eight shots. Blount immediately infused
the team with a tougher, more physical presence inside. Coach Jim O'Brien was
desperately seeking greater toughness as Boston headed toward the postseason.

It was appropriate that the news of Blount's re-signing came during the Reebok
Pro Summer League. Playing for the Celtics' entry in 2000, Blount first proved
to the Boston front office that he deserved a second shot at the NBA. He
signed a free agent contract with the Celtics Aug. 1, 2000, and appeared in 64
games during the 2000-01 season. He proved a valuable addition by starting 50
games in place of injured starter Tony Battie. That season, he led the team in
blocks with 76, the most by any Celtics rookie since Kevin McHale. Blount's
shot-blocking and rebounding abilities were certainly two of the reasons the
Celtics were willing to pay more than the veteran minimum to re-sign him.

Owner Steve Pagliuca defended the Celtics' spending policies and said that
''conservative estimates put spending up $22 million over the past year.''
That figure includes money spent on an increased scouting budget with more
resources aimed overseas, additions to the basketball staff and contract
extensions for the coaches as well as player personnel. It also covers the
approximately $1.5 million Pagliuca said the Celtics would pay in luxury taxes
on the Blount contract. Pagliuca cited Blount as an example that the team will
pay to acquire or keep talent Ainge wants. Pagliuca added that ownership has
faith in the ''comprehensive strategy'' Ainge is developing that will upgrade
the team over a three-year period.

But yesterday, Ainge was crediting Blount for getting the deal done. ''Mark
went extra and Mark wanted to be with us,'' said Ainge. ''He could have made
more money in other places and we feel that Mark still has some upside. We
feel he's a player that's still improving. A lot of times bigger guys take a
little longer to develop. He's starting to get comfortable. He's confident in
our system with our coaching staff. He wanted to stay. He's been at other
places and it hasn't been as well for him. He really wanted to be back here.
And we really wanted him back.''

Thanks,

Steve
sb@xxxxxxxxxxxx

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