baker column

["Josh Ozersky" <jozersky1@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Max, Heinsohn give solid reviews

by Jim Baker
Sunday, June 29, 2003








It was ESPN's Greg Anthony who first tipped Herald readers Tuesday about how
intent Celtics operations director Danny Ainge was on emerging from the NBA
Draft with UNLV point guard Marcus Banks.

Anthony, also a UNLV product, definitely had the inside track. The only
adjustment came when Memphis, picking 13th, grabbed the 6-2 speedster, forcing
Ainge to deal his 16th and 20th slot choices (Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones) to
the Grizzlies for Banks and Memphis' 27th pick, which became high schooler
Kendrick Perkins.

Now FSNE and WWZN analysts Tom Heinsohn and Cedric Maxwell are giving upbeat
reviews to Ainge, knowing a point guard was a glaring need.

``Banks is an up-tempo player, Danny was up-tempo here and as a coach in
Phoenix and he believes that's the way to win,'' said Heinsohn. ``Walking the
ball up the floor is definitely not Banks' style. But the first thing of
importance is there's a meeting of minds between the operations director
(Ainge) and coach (Jim O'Brien). They're on the same page.''

Maxwell reacted. ``Bell wasn't a bad pick and would have solidified the fan
base a little, but Banks is something the Celtics haven't had since Kenny
Anderson. They couldn't change gears and now they will.

``Banks is 6-2, 220, and a pretty good defender.''

The six-year radio analyst spotted only one possible negative. ``He showed
limited three-point ability, only a 33-percent shooter from college
three-point range.''

Heinsohn laughed when he heard a national critic take a shot at Perkins, the
6-10 project from Beaumont, Texas. The knock was Perkins has too much body
fat.

``He won't have it for long,'' vowed Heinsohn. ``He's a worthwhile project. I
remember M.L. Carr trying Tom Hamilton, who didn't have maturity and couldn't
even write a check.

``This kid has really good basketball skills and he'll be brought along.''

Maxwell agreed. ``The fat will come off. I saw his body structure and what
Jimmy (O'Brien) likes is he has great hands. The team has been missing a big
presence in the middle.''

Heinsohn soft-pedaled the big development Jim Gray broke during ESPN's draft
coverage - word that Kobe Bryant intends to become a free agent after next
season with the Lakers.

``He's flexing his muscles to see how much he's loved in other places,''
Heinsohn said. ``But he has legitimate concerns about being left to carry the
Lakers, perhaps with coach Phil Jackson gone.''

The first three choices developed as advertised, Cleveland using the No. 1
pick for high school phenom LeBron James, Detroit taking 7-foot Serbian Darko
Milicic and Denver tabbing Carmelo Anthony from NCAA champion Syracuse.

``(Cavaliers coach) Paul Silas says LeBron is a big-time player, a complete
player with vision,'' said Heinsohn. ``Milicic has great potential and the kid
from Syracuse has a very bright future.''

Maxwell came away struck by how dramatically the draft has changed, not only
with so many underclassmen and high school stars but with a huge international
flavor.

``American players had a monopoly for such a long time, but those from South
America and Europe have changed the dynamics,'' he said.

``They bear out what (commissioner) David Stern's vision has been and will
reflect big sales of jerseys and other NBA products abroad.''

Roddick ready

John McEnroe, warming up for NBC's three-hour Wimbledon highlight package
today (Ch. 7, noon), feels American hope Andy Roddick ``has taken a step
forward to become a legitimate contender. He's made excellent progress and
made a major move to be coached by Brad Gilbert, who had a tremendous
seven-year success with Andre Agassi.

``Gilbert can help with the mental portion of his game and he is playing with
a sense of calmness, more self-assured.''

Tomorrow, the ESPNs (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and NBC (10 to 1) have round of 16
coverage with three-hour highlights on the Deuce at night (7-10 p.m.).