Re: @@@ SAM SMITH: WALKER AND PITINO GONE FROM THE CELTICS@@@

[Kim Malo <kmalo19@idt.net>]

At 07:29 AM 11/6/98 PST, "Jim Meninno" <jim_meninno@hotmail.com> wrote:
<snip>
>Hey, I just had a thought.  Is there any chance that Gaston's stance on 
>salaries is particularly rigid at the moment because there has been a 
>lockout and negotiations looming for over a year.  That, once the CBA is 
>agreed, he will soften some, depending on the outcome, knowing that he 
>can't do anything about it for several more years?

Anything's possible. As I've pointed out before, Gaston has publicly
postured on money issues beforet -the Wall St Journal lawsuit that never
was. And while we may not agree with him all the time, he's not a stupid
man. Makes no business sense to lay out the bucks for RP and not give him
the talent. Bringing in RP isn't enough to keep the punters buying tickets.

At the same time, Smith's take on doubts about AW's ultimate maturity could
have validity and Gaston/RP might simply not believe it's worth the risk to
pay AW what he wants. No one with sense denies his talent, but do you really
think that, with a guaranteed $100MM+ contract showing that 'he's the man',
the guy who was pretty self righteous about what being an allstar (even
though not actually voted in) meant to what he should be asked to do and
where his development stood, is really going to believe he has room for
improvement?

-Kim
Kim Malo
kmalo19@idt.net