CELTICS CUT TO THE CHASE MORNINGSTAR, REESE WAIVED; TWO SPOTS REMAIN AS OPENER LOOMS

November 3, 1992

WALTHAM

The Celtics bowed to the inevitable yesterday when they waived second-round draft choice Darren Morningstar and free agent Jason Reese. Morningstar, 6 feet 10 inches, 235 pounds, had seldom been a factor in exhibition games, totaling 8 points and 11 rebounds in 55 minutes of playing time.

As the Celtics prepared for their regular-season opener Friday against Minnesota, they had neither of their draft choices in camp yesterday. First-rounder Jon Barry remains a holdout.

Coach Chris Ford approached the franchise's apparently unproductive draft diplomatically.

"These things happen," Ford said. "What about the teams who pick real high in the draft and find out that that pick was wasted? But, yes, I would have liked to have seen the kid (Barry) in camp."

Morningstar is the latest on the Celtics' recent second- and third-round failure list, following Dino Radja (1989) and Gerald Paddio (1988). Only Dee Brown, Rick Fox and Reggie Lewis remain of the franchise's 67 draft choices since 1981.

The waiving of Morningstar was anticipated since draft day, when the Celtics stated that no "big men" were worthy of selection at the 21st pick of the first round, when they selected the 6-5 Barry. They chose Morningstar 26 places later.

"Darren has an awful lot to learn in terms of offensive skills and how to defend the low post," Ford said. "He can get those lessons playing in Europe or the CBA."

The Celtics will next have to choose two players among Kenny Battle, Bart Kofoed, Marcus Webb and Joe Wolf for the final roster spots. Final roster cuts are due Thursday night.

"It depends on what we feel is best," Ford said. "We are not going to rush into it. You never know what could happen; an injury could occur."

The franchise clearly is desperate for big rebounders. The Celtics were willing to take a chance with Reese, a 6-9, 255-pound refugee of the Australian League, but allowed him to play only 5 minutes of one game.

There is hope that either Webb, 6-9, 255 pounds, or Wolf, 6-11, 230 pounds, will fill that role. Webb has been inconsistent during exhibition games and Wolf has never produced more than 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in five NBA seasons.

"I'm going to continue to hustle," said Webb, 22. "I have a lot to learn and I am going to make my mistakes but I am going to give 110 percent. If I get cut, I will get cut giving my best."

Wolf, 24, was a first-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Clippers in 1987. He signed as a free agent after two seasons with Denver.

"I've been in the league five years and I've seen a lot of guys come and go," Wolf said. "It's part of the business. All I can do is work hard and give it my best."