[剪報] C's workouts heat up
C's workouts heat up
by Mark Murphy
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
The Celtics brass had players in for their first long day of workouts
yesterday, but Danny Ainge was wise to curb his enthusiasm before the
process started.
``There are things we have to evaluate, and those we have seen look
good, but everybody looks good in workouts,'' the Celtics director of
basketball operations said of the process, which last week included a
private workout of Boston College's Troy Bell during the NBA draft camp
in Chicago.
``We have limitations with what we can do,'' said Ainge. ``But we'll do
a bit of testing and look at shot mechanics, things like that.''
The Celtics' poor recent draft history considered, this year's draft is
carrying significant emphasis. And not surprisingly, the Celtics find
themselves looking at a lot of foreign-born talent.
Yesterday's lineup included an 18-year-old Greek named Sofoklis
Schortsantis, affectionately known as ``Baby Shaq'' because of the
6-foot-9 forward's relentless work ethic on the offensive glass.
He was followed yesterday by Malick Badiane, a 19-year-old, 6-10 power
forward type from Senegal, where Schortsantis was also born, and Paccelis
Morlende, a 6-2, 22-year-old point guard from France.
Despite their relatively young age, all three have played professionally
in Europe.
Today's tryouts will carry a more American flavor, when Matt Bonner -
the 6-10 New Hampshire native who enjoyed a fine senior season with
Florida - steps on the floor to display the shooting touch that earned
him runner-up honors in SEC Player of the Year voting.
He will be joined by Ohio University power forward Brandon Hunter, who led
the nation in rebounding this past year with a 12.6 average to go with his
.523 shooting percentage, and a 6-9 power forward named Victor Khryapa.
The Celtics are obviously taking a long look at rebounding, inside-scoring
types with these early workouts, though the quality that will be available
at picks No. 16 and 20 is clearly open to question.
``It will not be star quality,'' said Ainge. ``Realistically, last year
there were only five players taken in the first round who contributed to
their teams. Some people would also question whether (Jay) Williams
contributed to the Bulls.''
But as reflected by the Celtics' tryout list, the 2003 draft may set a record
for the number of foreign-born players selected in the first round.
``There's as much as I can remember,'' said Ainge. ``There could be as many
as 13 who go in the first round.''
The prize - and a player well beyond the Celtics' grasp - is Darko Milicic,
a 7-foot, 17-year-old Serbian who has wowed scouts with his skills. The
Pistons are very interested in him with the No. 2 selection.
``There's so many possibilities,'' he said. ``But we just want to get
ourselves ready for whatever situation comes up.''
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