Ainge still looking to fill big shoes

With training camp less than two weeks away, the Celtics are taking a look at several free agent big men this week. And the free agents are compiling their own scouting reports of the frontcourt-needy Celtics.

Executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge confirmed yesterday that the team is working out several free agents this week at its Waltham practice facility, including ex-Celtics forward Eric Williams, center Kelvin Cato, forward-center Esteban Batista, and forward Linton Johnson III.

"These are guys that have other teams interested," Ainge said. "They're taking a look at us and we're looking at them."

Ainge said that after a series of pickup games this week he'll decide whether to offer any of the players contracts. Currently, the Celtics have the maximum 15 players on their roster.

Williams, 35, was drafted No. 14 overall by the Celtics in 1995 and averaged 9.2 points over seven seasons in two stints in Boston. The former Providence star played sparingly last season for San Antonio and the Charlotte Bobcats.

The 6-foot-11-inch, 275-pound Cato, 33, played in 18 games for New York last season and has averaged 5.5 points and 5.3 rebounds during his 11-year career. The 6-10, 270-pound Batista, 24, played in 13 games for Atlanta last season, but averaged a tournament-best 20.8 points and 12.4 rebounds during the recent FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas.

The 6-8, 205-pound Johnson, 27, averaged 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 54 games for the Hornets last season.

"Batista is very good, very skillful around the basket," said Lakers and Team USA guard Kobe Bryant at the Americas Championship. "He has great footwork."

The big men currently on the Celtics roster include 10-time All-Star Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, Brian Scalabrine, Leon Powe, newcomer Scot Pollard, and rookies Glen Davis and Brandon Wallace. Garnett (22.4 points a game) was the only player with NBA experience who averaged more than 5 points a game last season.

Quacking to get started
Celtics rookies Glen Davis, Wallace, and Gabe Pruitt learned more about their new city yesterday by taking a duck boat tour along with students from the Castle Square After School Program.

The players are excited about learning more about the NBA when training camp begins Oct. 1 in Rome as part of the NBA's Europe Live tour.

"I'm so excited to start the NBA process even more," Glen Davis said. "Then Rome. I've never been there and I'm ready to go."

Said Wallace, "[Garnett] told me to just do what you do and do what got you here."

Allen said last week that Glen Davis's jaw dropped when he met Garnett for the first time. "Yeah, for a split [second]," Glen Davis said. "Then I realized I had to play. But I'm still like a kid every time I'm around him."