Celtics Want Hinrich - Here's What We Know Sunday

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

- From the KC Star:

"We want him like gangbusters," said former KU standout Jo Jo White, an
executive with the Boston Celtics, who don't pick until No. 16. "He runs
like (John) Havlicek and shoots like (Jerry) West. Just like Paul
(Pierce), he's the kind of guy that's going to be a better scorer in the
pros than he was in college."


- Vescey says Wallace is holding out on Portland for a better
contract, and even if he is now the Number One contender
for the GM spot, Portland may reopen the process.

- Lawrence says the Celtics went out to France last 
week to check out Pietrus and Diaw, and that Jerry West 
really wants Chris Kaman, and is talking a deal with the Bulls,
where Fizer and 13 are exchanged for 7 and Battier. 
(This makes sense as West did mention that he wanted 
to get a big physical presence for his frontcourt.
Why aren't the Celtics interested in Kaman?)

- Ainge via Peter May says the trip to France was postponed.
So, who knows?  But he appears to like the Johnsonesque Diaw,
a fine complimentary type player. So, who knows? Ainge says 
there's a lot of BS going around about the Celtics 
giving Marcus Banks a draft guarantee.  So, who knows? The 
Red Sox bullpen may never hold a lead. So, who knows? 
May further notes that Luke Ridnour could slip down to 
the Celtics.  So, who knows.

- Murphy says Brian Cook had a smokin' shooting workout with the
Celtics, not missing a shot.  Cook reminds some of ex-Michigan
player Terry Mills. Reason enough to be cautious.

-  Arizona Republic says Ridnour is No. 3 PG taken,
and Barbosa may drop out of the first round:


Brazilian Leandro Barbosa, who had been projected early as a possible
lottery pick, may slide out of the first round.

Although big and athletic, he has poor shooting mechanics, isn't a very
good playmaker and can't speak English.

Not exactly the trifecta scouts are looking for in a playmaking guard.

(They view Diaw as a PG in this article. Very interesting. If he can
play
PG in the NBA, his lack of offensive assertiveness is mitigated, and
would be a good pick by the Celtics.)

Ray