Eastern Conference

Sporting News, The, Feb 1, 1999

Atlanta

Injured Laettner traded to Piston for Pollard

After signing Christian Laettner to a three-year, $18 million deal, the Hawks traded him to the Pistons for center Scot Pollard. Laettner, who tore his right Achilles' tendon last September, would have been no more than a sixth man in Atlanta. In fact, during the second half of last season, the power forward lost his starting job to Alan Henderson, who still was unsigned entering this week. By getting Pollard, the team has a big man who could back up Dikembe Mutombo. Pollard raised eyebrows last season when he shut down Patrick Ewing and Tim Duncan. ... First-round draft pick Roshown McLeod is at a disadvantage because of the lockout. A 6-9 power forward from Duke, McLeod has to make the transition to small forward if he is going to have an impact with the team. However, learning a new position on the fly is a challenge McLeod welcomes following a prolonged wait. "It was like hitting the lottery and not being able to cash the ticket," McLeod says. At Duke, McLeod had consistent range from the perimeter and was a solid defender in the low post. Little wonder the Blue Devils were 32-4 last season. --Mark F. Gray

Boston

Team locks up Walker for six years, $71 million

Antoine Walker, the team's captain, skipped the first week of voluntary workouts. The Celtics rewarded him with a $71 million contract extension, by far the richest in team history. He is tied to the Celtics for at least the next six years, this one and the first five of the extension. There is an "out" clause after the fifth year. ... One of the real curiosities in camp is the oft-traveled Dwayne Schintzius, who, by virtue of hi, size (7-3, 260) and the Celtics' lack of size, is apparently a lock to make the team. The Celtics' only other options in the middle are Andrew DeClercq and Tony Battie, acquired from the Lakers for Travis Knight. The club believes it must build its own center because one won't be there in the draft. ... The schedule is bad for everyone, right? Well, it is, and it isn't, for the Celtics. Their first two games are at home and then they play two on the road. Then, they have a full week off before heading west. Rick Pitino saw that hiatus and smiled instantly; it'll give him more lime for practice with such a young team. The Western Conference opponents for the Celtics also aren't bad; the only two that made the playoffs from last season are Minnesota and Portland. --Peter May

Charlotte

Coleman, Recasner brought aboard

Derrick Coleman, a 6-10 power forward entering his ninth NBA season, officially signed a five-year, $40 million contract last Thursday. Coleman averaged 17.6 points and 9.9 rebounds in 59 games last season with the 76ers. Over his eight-year career, split between the Nets and the Sixers, he has averaged 19.2 points and 10.4 rebounds. The Hornets plan to use Coleman on the front line along with veterans Anthony Mason and All-Star Glen Rice. ... Eldridge Recasner signed a four-year, $5 million guaranteed contract on the same day. A 6-3 shooting guard, Recasner is being counted on to back up starter Bobby Phills in the role that Dell Curry filled for the Hornets last season. Recasner also is capable of moving over and playing point guard in a pinch. Ricky Davis, a 6-6 18-year-old who left Iowa after his freshman season, also could see some time at shooting guard. ... Rice underwent surgery last Friday to remove floating particles in his right elbow. The operation went smoothly, and a full recovery is expected. Hornets officials say Rice is expected to miss six to eight weeks, or at least 15 games, which is a huge blow because of the short season. Chucky Brown will be the starter at small forward until Rice returns. --John Delong

Chicago

The new-look Bulls make their debut

Perhaps the best way to describe the collection of names on the Bulls roster this season is the not-ready-for-prime-time players. Aside from Ron Harper, Toni Kukoc, Bill Wennington and Randy Brown, and the semi-recognizable faces of Dickey Simpkins, Rusty LaRue and Keith Booth, the rest of the roster is filled with a bunch of no-names. The club's starting lineup appears to be Kukoc and Simpkins at forward, Wennington at center and Brown and Harper at guard. Mark Bryant, who was acquired from Phoenix in a sign-and-trade deal for Luc Longley, figures to split time in the pivot with Wennington and could see time at power forward. The Bulls also got Martin Muursepp and Bubba Wells from the Suns, along with a first-round draft choice. ... First-round pick Corey Benjamin, the 6-6 guard/small forward from Oregon State, scored a team-high 16 points in a fan appreciation scrimmage last week. His effort included a pair of strong dunks, one over the 6-11 Kukoc. Benjamin has the athletic ability to provide some exciting plays that should make up for some of the void left by Michael Jordan's retirement. ... The team has decided essentially to tank this season and enter the offseason with about $25 million in cap money to spend. --John Jackson