O'Brien sees Green lineup taking shape

["Stephen Beauregard" <sb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

O'Brien sees Green lineup taking shape
By Steve Bulpett/Celtics Notebook
Friday, October 24, 2003

It will still be a while before Jim O'Brien is comfortable enough with Raef
LaFrentz to consider starting him, but the early Celtics lineup should be
taking shape when the Nets come in for tonight's final preseason game.

     ``I think Mark (Blount) and Tony Battie are interchangeable at the center
spot,'' the coach said. ``I would imagine Vin (Baker) would probably start at
the 4 spot for us. He's going to start there again (tonight). I think Mike
(James) is going start at the point guard spot for us (tonight) and the first
game of the season. We'll just have to wait and see about everybody else, but
I would imagine it's going to resemble who we start (tonight).

     ``We're strong at the 3. Kedrick (Brown)'s playing well, and Eric
(Williams) dominated (Wednesday) night, so I feel really good. Jumaine (Jones)
hasn't played. Walt (McCarty) was our starting 3 last year in the playoffs. We
have a lot of depth there. It's probably more important who finishes than who
starts, but Kedrick's been starting and we might end up starting Kedrick
against Miami (in the season-opener Wednesday).''

     And, oh - Paul Pierce [news] will probably start at shooting guard.

     Trade not in wind

     The information age still has a few bugs to work out - like yesterday
when a trade rumor had the Celts sending Battie and Eric Williams to Houston
for Cuttino Mobley, Eddie Griffin and Bostjian Nachbar.

     Aside from the fact the numbers don't work out, sources from both sides
say it's never been discussed.

     From the dead file, the Celtics and Portland did discuss a move that
would have sent Battie for point guard Jeff McInnis, whose contract is more
favorable - but the talk went nowhere.

     LaRue waived

     The Celtics cleared the last nonguaranteed contract from their roster
yesterday by waiving Rusty LaRue. He played in five of the C's seven preseason
games, averaging two points and 10.2 minutes.

     The roster is now down to the maximum of 15, with three needing to be put
on the injured list.
Thanks,

Steve
sb@xxxxxxxxxxxx