Bulpett - Bobbleheads, Benchee, Bean Counters, and Baker

[Eggcentric@xxxxxxx]

Does anyone here think that Bobblehead Red looks more like 
Montgomery Clift in  "From Here to Eternity "  than W. C. Fields 
in  "My little Chickadee? " 

Also: 

In reference to Roger's broken heart-
"We (the Celts) had some real good camaraderie. I've just got to get 
back to how I was playing when I was with them. " - Rogers

In reference to the new owners -
  "They put up all those millions of dollars, they've got to make 
some moves. They can't get involved in trading players, so... "  - Red

In reference to Baker releasing his agent -
 "Even if Baker severing ties with Goodwin indicates the backup 
center doesn't want to fight the Celts on his suspension without 
pay ... "  - Bulpett

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Benched Rogers pines for old days 

Celtics Notebook/by Steve Bulpett 
Friday, March 14, 2003

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - A rough season for Rodney Rogers got even 
more difficult before last night's game when Nets coach Byron Scott 
announced that Brian Scalabrine had supplanted him as the first 
forward off the New Jersey bench.
 
Neither was a factor in Jersey's 90-75 win over the Celts. Scalabrine 
went 0-for-8 from the floor, while Rogers didn't take a shot in three 
minutes.  Rogers has struggled here since leaving the Celtics as a free 
agent last summer. He went into last night's game shooting 39.5 percent 
from the floor (29.8 percent on treys) and averaging 6.9 points - all 
career lows.
The Celts wanted to keep Rogers, who was a good fit with the club, but 
offered just the $1 million veteran minimum. Rogers came to the Nets 
for a portion of their mid-level exception, getting a deal that began at 
$2.79 million. He turned down a starting offer of $4 million from 
Minnesota.  Last night Rogers looked at the Celtics and remembered the 
good old days of last spring.
``That feeling is still there when I see them,'' he said. ``We had some real 
good camaraderie. I've just got to get back to how I was playing when 
I was with them. I've just got to knock the shots down. When I get in, 
I've just got to make the shots. And they're ones I normally make, which 
makes this kind of frustrating. You try not to get to the point where it 
tears you down.''

Baker axes agent
Vin Baker has parted ways with his agent, Aaron Goodwin, sources said 
yesterday.  It is not known what effect this will have on Baker's situation 
with the Celtics. Goodwin had stated his displeasure with the club, while 
Baker had signed an agreement with the club that was allegedly so 
disadvantageous to him that Goodwin and the Players Association vowed 
to fight it. Goodwin did not participate in the Feb. 27 meeting when Baker 
agreed to get help for emotional and alcohol-related problems.
Recently, Baker and the Celts were trying to rework the pact to avoid a 
Players Association challenge.  Even if Baker severing ties with Goodwin 
indicates the backup center doesn't want to fight the Celts on his 
suspension without pay (he does have a chance to get money back if he 
follows an aftercare program), the Players Association will continue to 
take up the cause because of the bad precedent the agreement sets for 
other players.

Red: Head's up
After Wednesday bobblehead doll night in his honor, Celtic president and 
patriarch Red Auerbach checked in with an optimistic take on his club.
``They're for real,'' said Red. ``I like the way it's all been coming 
together. 
The new people have helped. I like (Mark) Blount. He's a good addition. 
(Bimbo) Coles may help a bit. But when you bring a guy like that who 
helps a little bit, the others play a little better, too. I mean, that's 
where it's at. You've still got a team beyond (Paul) Pierce and (Antoine) 
Walker. They're still your keys, but you have to have other people 
playing well.''
Auerbach said he got a kick out of being immortalized in bobblehead 
history.  As for whether the figure realy looks like him, he said, 
``Metza-metza.''
Interestingly, Auerbach also spoke about the Celtics' recent firing of 
vice president of sales Steve Riley, who was second to Red in seniority 
with the organization.  Riley, a Celtic employee since 1975, was let 
go with three others by the club's new ownership group. ``Hey, I tried 
my best, but they made up their mind,'' said Auerbach. ``What am I going 
to do? They put up all those millions of dollars, they've got to make 
some moves. They can't get involved in trading players, so . . .''