McDONOUGH: PITINO NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT SIGNING WALKER

[witchcraft1998@hotmail.com (Witch)]

In today's Boston Globe, Will McDonough had this to say:

"Right now Rick Pitino does not like the Celtics' chances of signing Antoine 
Walker to a long-term contract.  "'I'd say it's 50-50 at best... Antoine is
asking for a lot of money {$100 million}, and right now our owner {Paul Gaston}
does not want to pay that.  Antoine is a terrific player but he's no to that 
level yet.  We would love to keep him but we can't do it at those numbers.'"

"Pitino says his team will try to improve by trades rather than free agency.

"'We are interested in some players coming into the free agent market... but we
don't think we will be able to afford to pay them what they are asking for.  
So, realistically, if we want to make this team better, we are going to have to 
make some trades and move people around.'"

Hmmmm.  Stunning news.........................

WC