American basketball stars Danny Ferry and Brian...

American basketball stars Danny Ferry and Brian Shaw have not captured the hearts of Roman fans, who were dreaming of an Italian title when Messaggero Roma signed them last month. The fans booed and whistled when then team’s losing streak stretched to five games.

The 87--78 defeat in a home game at Palaeur against underdog Riunite Reggio Emilia dropped Messaggero Roma into next-to-last place. Ferry, a former All-American from Duke University who was the Clippers’ top draft choice, and Shaw, a guard who played with the Boston Celtics last year, scored 21 and 29 points against Cantine.

But Rome’s sports daily Corriere dello Sport Commented bitterly: “Danny is a great player, but where was he during the second half? His long pauses weakened Messaggero’s attack play.”