BosonHerald:Much like Danny Ainge, Mark Bartlestein has treated the travails of his client — Mark Blount — as a situation that requires tact, not bluster.
To that end, the Chicago-based agent said yesterday that Blount has not requested a trade over his recent benching and apparent falling out with Celtics coach Doc Rivers.
“Nothing like that at all,” Bartlestein said. “I talk with Danny all the time, and we’re just trying to work this out. Mark has shown that he can be a terrific player in this league. The team was losing, and he was frustrated. He just wants to help the team get going back in the right direction.”
Blount seconded that notion after practice and expressed both surprise and gratitude for the warm crowd reaction he received after coming in off the bench for Kendrick Perkins Monday.
“I was enjoying it,” he said. “They were saying things like, ‘Let’s go, Mark.’ You never know what’s going to happen. They are the best fans.”
Blount is dealing with his new role off the bench.
“Whatever,” he said. “I just have to do what I do. I’m just enjoying it. It’s not a problem for me.”
Of Bartlestein’s recent contact with Ainge, Blount said, “My agent has made contact, and he’s keeping the airwaves open. As long as I’m here, I’m here. I don’t have a problem playing. It is what it is. I keep going.”
Blount was rather cryptic when asked if he cleared the air with Rivers, who has been bothered both by the center’s lack of rebounding and complaints about his role in the offense.
“There’s still air to breathe,” Blount said. “To be continued.”
Expect the current arrangement to continue.
“I just like the presence of Perk to start the game,” Rivers said. “That doesn’t mean that Mark and Al (Jefferson) won’t start at some point, but right now the lineup we have is the one we’re going with.”
