Most of us haven't heard of Kedrick Brown.  But the Boston Herald reports that the Celtics had "equal parts covert action, prayer, subterfuge and blind luck" to get Brown.  Add lots of mis-information to the mix.  They also say Joe Johnson was the player of their dreams, once they realized Pau Gasol wouldn't be available.  And while most people expected them to take a pg with the 21st pick, they couldn't resist picking sg Joe Forte when he was still available.

The Celtics are likely to be picking a point guard with the 21st pick.  This will be their third pick of the draft.  The Boston Herald reports that Omar Cook, Will Solomon, Tony Parker and Jamaal Tinsley all have their supporters within the Celtics' braintrust.

With DeSagana Diop's stock dropping, Boston realizes he may be around when they pick 10th.  But Diop is only visiting the top seven teams.  This leaves Boston feeling uncomfortable picking him with so little information, especially since coach Jim O'Brien has never seen him play.  They were in the same situation a few years ago when Paul Pierce fell to the 10th pick, but there was a longer track record on Pierce.  Boston may go to where Diop is working out near Philadelphia to see him.

While Boston looks at forwards like Joe Johnson and Richard Jefferson, the Boston Herald reports it's Troy Murphy who is appealing.  An Irishman who played at Notre Dame, Murphy is excited about the shamrocks he sees in Boston.  Murphy is one of several players whose stock has been rising over the past month, which leaves one minor detail: will he still be on the board by the 10th pick?  Murphy is working out for all teams picking between seven and 13.

Boston will be looking for scoring in the draft to take the load off Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker.  Boston picks 10, 11 and 21.  They have no interest in a center, and are looking to select a point guard (Tinsley, Cook or Satterfield?) with the 21st pick.  Players like Troy Murphy and Michael Bradley are being mentioned at 10 and 11.  When asked about combining the 10 and 11 picks to move up, GM Chris Wallace said, "there's safety in numbers, drafting two to three times versus putting all your chips on one guy."  Wallace would combine 10 or 11 with 21 to move up, but doesn't expect any takers.

Point guard Jamaal Tinsley was the latest ex-college talent to strut his stuff as the Celtics auditions continued yesterday at The Sports Authority Center at Healthpoint in Waltham. Celtics coach Jim O'Brien is seeking backcourt help and Tinsley, a standout for Iowa State the past two seasons, is a candidate.

The Sporting News says Cleveland is looking for an athletic perimeter player who has the ability to score and create for himself and his teammates and another big man, possibly a center or power forward to be counted on for minutes this year.North Carolina-Charlotte forward Rodney White (6-9, 230) would be a perfect fit in Cleveland. Of course, when former Lakers president Jerry West says you're the best player in the draft, people take notice. He'll likely be gone when the Cavs make their pick. They also love Michigan State shooting guard Jason Richardson (6-6, 220), who is one of the most athletic players in the draft. His outside shot needs some work, but it's getting better. Several things would need to happen for him to drop as low at No. 8, including many of the high school players and Spain's Pau Gasol going in the top seven picks. But stranger things have happened. The third player who might drop in their laps is Arkansas swingman Joe Johnson (6-8, 220). He can shoot and handle the ball extremely well, but he's not rated as high as White nor Richardson.