Montross Stays on the Move

March 14, 1998

It wasn't too long ago that center Eric Montross was a promising piece in M.L. Carr's Celtic puzzle. But last night, when he came to town as a Detroit Piston, Montross was a man with luggage tags falling out of his pocket.

Detroit is his fourth team since the start of last season. After two years with the Celtics, he has been traded to Dallas, New Jersey, Philadelphia and his present home.

"It's about time for me to get traded again," he said in a deadpan. "There are trading deadline for everyone else (Feb.19), and there are trading deadlines for me.

"I'd like to be able to stay here a while, but we're probably going to get ransacked at the end of the season."

With Doug Collins having been fired as coach, he's probably correct. Collins was also in charge of personnel, so the new regime will have to make some major calls.

As for his own travels, Montross said, "Leaving (Boston) was tough because I had so many positive experiences and met so many good friends. But after that you just realize it's a business."