Peter May (TSN): Pitino Performs End Run To Silence Cousy

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

I don't know if Pitino performed an end run, but May's right about
the loss of objectivity. he also has material on Eric Washington,
perhaps flourishing under Pitino's system and another Lewis trial...

      The Sporting News - http://www.sportingnews.com

      Boston Celtics
      Team Report posted AUGUST 28, 1999      

      By TSN correspondent
      Peter May
      Boston Globe
      It's always wise to be suspicious of polls, and the latest one is not good 
      news for the Celtics. The arrival of Rick Pitino has neither turned around 
      the team's fortunes nor increased its popularity, according to Boston fans 
      polled for ESPN. 
      The Celtics came in fourth among the four local pro teams. They also were 
      in fourth in April 1997, which was to be expected as they were finishing 
      up a 15-67 season and paving the way for Pitino. In 1997, however, the 
      Celtics were not a distant fourth, as they are now. (The numbers were 
      taken from July 1998 to June 1999.) Of the fans polled, only 10 percent 
      picked the Celtics as their favorite Boston pro team. . . . 
      The Celtics were quiet for another week, but, of course, they still were 
      in the news. This nugget involved legend Bob Cousy, whose voice of reason 
      on television will basically be stilled for the season. The reason? The 
      Celtics shifted to an all-cable, all-the-time network for their TV games 
      that already has two people to broadcast games, one of them Tom Heinsohn. 
      Cousy was the television analyst for most of the team's road games on an 
      over-the-air channel that dropped the team. 
      The new agreement has Cousy involved in some unspecified marketing role 
      with the club -- no, he hasn't sold out -- and to be a TV analyst for 
      maybe 10 games. That's it, and it's a shame because Cousy was the only one 
      who ever took an objective eye to the follies that has passed for the 
      Celtics the last several years. 
      He could do so because of who he was, of course, and the stature he held. 
      Rick Pitino wasn't about to step in and criticize Cousy. But now it looks 
      as though Pitino has effected a nifty end run here, keeping Cousy as part 
      of the family but keeping him off the air, where Celtics fans get their 
      only unvarnished appraisal of the team. . . . The Reggie Lewis malpractice 
      lawsuit, which ended in a mistrial this summer, appears headed back for 
      re-trial. Despite efforts of Lewis' people to arrange a settlement, Dr. 
      Gilbert Mudge apparently won't listen. Mudge's stance angered Lewis' 
      former agent, Jerome Stanley, who's best known in Boston for advising a 
      client (Brian Shaw) to violate a federal court order. Stanley ripped Mudge 
      in a statement while Mudge's attorney fired back and said he'd have 
      Stanley investigated. 
      One possibility for a new trial: Mudge's insurance carrier may be 
      disinclined to pay anything given the result of the first trial. Most of 
      the jurors in that trial favored acquittal. . . . 
      PLAYER PROFILE 
      Eric Washington was the supposed 'throw-in' in the Ron Mercer deal with 
      Denver. But he has a chance to make some noise this season because he does 
      two things Pitino likes: defends and shoots 3-pointers. Washington is one 
      of many Alabama players who seem to get better when they enter the NBA. He 
      was on a college team with Antonio McDyess, Roy Rogers and Jason Caffey. 
      With the Celtics' shooting guard situation, he may get a shot at some 
      decent backup minutes. 
      WHAT'S NEXT 
      The Celtics still their $1.1 million exception available, but they may not 
      need it or use it. One reason: They already have 15 players under 
      contract. Another: They might conclude that Greg Minor (hip injury) is out 
      for the year and see if they can use half his salary under the injury 
      exception. Minor is due to make $2.88 million this season. 
      The Celtics also have not actively pursued formerly valuable Bruce Bowen, 
      a free agent. They also have Tony Battie and Danny Fortson eligible to 
      sign extensions, but probably will wait and see how they perform this 
      season before making a final decision. 


     

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