Eastern Conference

Sporting News, The, June 19, 2000

Atlanta

JOB CANDIDATES: Cincinnati SG DerMarr Johnson and high school star Darius Miles, a 6-9 small forward, were impressive in recent workouts for the Hawks, who have the sixth pick in the draft. Both are athletic, skilled players who can play on the perimeter and above the rim. Johnson was a little better, showing more court presence from his year of college ball. Miles showed tremendous ability and presence, especially for a young player. Either could be an asset to a team that lacks flash, athleticism and skilled players. Though Johnson was more comfortable on the court, if the team were choosing between the two, it would have to gauge how good Miles will be in a few years.

BACKUP UP FRONT: The club wanted PF Lorenzen Wright to back up Alan Henderson and C Dikembe Mutombo, but Wright arrived at camp slightly out of shape, and it affected his play. He wanted to impress, so he pressed, resulting in constant foul trouble. After a while, Lenny Wilkens lost faith in him, giving him little playing time. Wright was frustrated but kept working. He isn't adept at shooting from beyond 12 feet, but he realizes that and seldom ventures too far from the basket. The key for Wright is to avoid being overly aggressive, which gets him in foul trouble. He also needs to start the season in shape. On defense, he works hard but needs to provide better weakside help. --Curtis Bunn

Boston

LAST DANCE: Next season could be the last for G Dana Barros. He has been in the league since 1989 and already has spent five seasons with the Celtics. The team should try to move him to a contender because he deserves it. The book on Barros hasn't changed. He is an excellent spot-up shooter, a deadly weapon from 3-point range and a more-than-decent penetrator. But he also is 5-9, and that is not good in a league that is getting bigger in the backcourt. Barros has improved his defense and point guard skills under coach Rick Pitino, but he still is a shooting guard in a point guard's body. He has trouble on defense because his size makes him an easy post-up target. But he also has been a valuable substitute for the Celtics over the years, and there have to be teams that wouldn't mind taking him on for a year. Some team with a dominant inside game would benefit immeasurably from his shooting touch.

FROM BEANTOWN TO CHITOWN: The team's braintrust is in Chicago this week to look over the 2000 draft class. The Celtics hold the 11th pick, and many mock drafts indicate that someone such as C/F Jerome Moiso or even SG DerMarr Johnson could be their target. The Celtics also might draft C Iakovos Tsakalidis of Greece or F Olumide Oyedji, a 6-9 native of Nigeria, who is a gifted athlete and played for Dirk Nowitzki's old team this past season in Germany. --Peter May

Charlotte

TESTING THE MARKET: SG Eddie Jones recently discussed his plans to handle his free-agent status with coach Paul Silas. Jones says he will play the "recruiting game" to the hilt when he becomes a free agent July 1, and he will not necessarily base his decision strictly on money. Ownership has given the approval to work a sign-and-trade in the event Jones decides to go elsewhere, even though the Hornets could wind up going as much as $10 million over the salary cap by doing so. The most likely sign-and-trade scenario at this point would be with Orlando, probably for G Roe Mercer.... The Hornets promoted Stephen Silas to assistant coach and Jeff Bower to assistant general manager. Silas, the son of coach Silas, will succeed Mark Osowski, who left to become an assistant with the Warriors.

NOT ENOUGH LEFT: G/F Dale Ellis was brought in to fill the roster spot that was open from the death of Bobby Phills, There was hope Ellis at least could spark the team on occasion with his long-range shooting. It never happened, and Silas gave him his walking papers after weeks of grumbling and complaining about his role. The Hornets will try to unload Ellis or waive him and eat the $2.2 million he's owed in the final year of his contract from Seattle. What really hurts is besides having a bad attitude, Ellis has nothing left, and everyone in the league knows it. --John Delong

Chicago

RESERVE ROUE: SG Hersey Hawkins is coming off the worst season of his 12-year career after suffering injuries that forced him to miss games for the first time in seven years. Injuries, aging (33), the hard-to-learn triple post offense and the absence of a suitable supporting cast resulted in Hawkins averaging career lows of 7.9 points, 2.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds. Much of his quickness and shooting accuracy was gone. His confidence and aggressiveness suffered; he passed up good shots and passed to less-skilled teammates in worse shooting positions. His positives remain his wisdom, character, experience and shooting skills, especially from the line. He is a better-than-average defender He has a year left on his contract, but if the Bulls can't trade him, he most likely will start the season as a reserve.

READY FOR THE NEXT LEVEL: The team has interviewed and worked out mostly guards, including St. John's PG Erick Barkley, an early entry and a former teammate of rookie standout Ron Attest. "Erick has good point guard skills, is a good shooter, a nice passer, and he hustles a lot," Artest says. "Just like me." Artest, a No. 16 pick, outplayed most players picked ahead of him and made the All-Rookie second team. The Bulls also have worked out Khalid El-Amin, Scoonie Penn, Doc Robinson, Jason Hart Speedy Claxton, A.J. Guyton and Eddie House. --Lacy J. Banks