MONTROSS HAS THE FLOOR TO HIMSELF

February 12, 1995

MONTROSS HAS THE FLOOR TO HIMSELF LONE CELTIC STAR SCORING POINTS

All-Star Weekend traditionally means a basketball venue teeming with Celtics. This year is no different, but Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Bill Russell and Jo Jo White can't help Boston now.

Eric Montross can. He is the lone representative of the current Celtics team in Phoenix, an invited guest of the Rookie All-Star Game, and with each passing day, the young center -- who was told he was Greg Dreiling before he took his first NBA step -- is more and more identified as the hope of this franchise.

No one is expecting Montross to vault past Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning or Patrick Ewing as a vote-getter in the East, but with his continual improvement, his obvious maturity and his willingness to learn, he has proven to be a valuable asset, the most desirable Celtic when trades are discussed.