Re[2]: On Bird and Gaston, et al.

[MBerry@mail.journalink.com (MBerry)]

   I have to disagree with this post on several points: 1) We can't
          make our coaching decisions based on color. Don't choose an
          unqualified black coach just because he's black. If you
          believe Pitino is the best coach out there (and I do) go
          after him. 2) What was dubious about Pitino's tenure in New
          York. He won with Knicks teams that were far inferior to
          some others in the league. He did for the Knics what Pat
          Riley is doing for Miami right now. 3) What makes you think
          Walker would not want Pitino. He has never complained about
          Pitino. If he wants to win a championship, you'd think he'd
          be thrilled with the idea.

          Like everyone else, I love the idea of a Bird/Pitino tandem
          running the Celtics, but, at the risk of getting blasted by
          all of you, if I had to choose, I'd choose Pitino. He is
          a proven commodity. Bird, as much as I believe he would be
          just what the Celtics need, is unproven. But if both parties
          are willing to work together, Thanksdad has no good excuse
          for not doing everything he can to make it happen.





>The players really seem to love ML, and I am concerned about the message they
>would get from seeing the only black coach/gm in the league, and a devoted
>company man at that, fired by a white millionaire so he can bring in two
>white "saviours" for the Boston team and its many bigoted fans.  That is one
>of my concerns with Pitino.   Plus, Does anyone really think Antoine Walker
>would be thrilled to have Pitino back in his face for an 82-game season, plus
>camp, preseason and hopefully the playoffs?  I'm still not convinced Pitino
>would make a good pro coach.  His tenure with the knicks was dubious, and who
>was the last college "genius" to make a top flight pro coach.  (dont say
>Larry Brown.)  Maybe the best thing would be to let ML stay as coach, and
>give Bird the reins as VP of bball ops.

Absolutely Josh! I couldn't agree more!

Paul M