Steve Bulpett: Celtics Ready To Get Back To Work For 50 Game Season

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

The Shawn Kemp factor was enough to convince the owners to open their
training
facilities Monday...


                  Celtics: Happy new year: After owners ratify deal, Green
                  get back to work
                  by Steve Bulpett
                  
                  BOSTON HERALD
                  Friday, January 8, 1999

                  NEW YORK - There was both basketball and business joy for
                  the Celtics yesterday as the NBA's Board of Governors
                  ratified the new collective bargaining agreement. Owner
                  Paul Gaston was among those voting unanimously to accept
                  the deal that saves what can be salvaged of the season.
                  ``I think I speak for Red (Auerbach) and coach (Rick)
                  Pitino, both of whom I've talked to, that we're happy to
                  be back in business,'' Gaston said after exiting the
                  session. ``We realize there's a long road ahead to get the
                  fans' loyalty and respect back again, but we're committed
                  to it and we think it's going to work out.''

                  The schedule is obviously still a work in progress, with
                  projections having changed in one day from a Feb. 2 start
                  with 52 games to a Feb. 5 start with 50. Arena
                  availability and the desire to provide attractive matchups
                  for network telecasts are key factors in getting a slate
                  settled.

                  The schedule will be heavily weighted toward conference
                  games (to cut travel), though deputy commissioner Russ
                  Granik said clubs could expect to play five or six games
                  against the opposite conference.

                  In an attempt to get players into shape quicker to handle
                  a grind that will include stretches of three games in
                  three days, the league announced that team training
                  facilities will be open to players by Monday. Coaches will
                  not be allowed to run the workouts, with trainers and
                  strength coaches in charge. (Note to Ed Lacerte and Shaun
                  Brown: Brush up on your knowledge of the
                  three-quarter-court trap.)
  
                  Overall, the sides expressed satisfaction with the
                  groundbreaking agreement. The owners got cost containment
                  in the form of high-end limits, while the players helped
                  ensure all the teams - large market and small - will
                  remain financial viable enough to compete for players.

                  ``I think it's a fair deal for both sides,'' said Gaston.
                  ``I think it will help the league to remain competitive
                  all the way through. I think common sense tells you that
                  you can't have a few players taking all the money out of
                  the sport. Generally, these levels of salaries (based on
                  experience) are good for the league. They ensure that
                  players have a good shot at staying with a team for a
                  while, which in turn helps the competitiveness of the
                  league.''

                  As troubling as the last deal was for owners, with
                  salaries spiraling based on the latest signing, Gaston
                  still was one of two who voted against re-opening the
                  agreement. There is no question he is pleased to save 25
                  home games when each brings in somewhere in the vicinity
                  of $1 million in receipts.

                  Speaking in the larger sense, Gaston said, ``What always
                  made the Celtics a viable business proposition is that
                  Boston has the most loyal fan base in the league. Coach
                  Pitino has certainly found that to be true, and I think
                  that's a large part of the reason he's here.''

                  Getting players at a more reasonable price and keeping
                  them where they are formed the basis for the agreement.

                  ``It gives the 29 teams the opportunity to compete,''
                  Stern said. ``It emphasizes continuity of roster.
                  Hopefully players will be encouraged to maximize income
                  and do it with the teams they previously played with. It
                  gives well-managed teams the opportunity to have a return
                  on their investment and, I believe, guarantees NBA players
                  will remain the highest-paid athletes in the world -
                  deservedly so.''

                  Union chief Billy Hunter, who withstood internal questions
                  in the last weeks, was bothered only by the timing of the
                  deal.

                  ``The only regret I have is that it took us this long to
                  get where we are,'' he said.

                  While it is fact the owners were prepared to vote on
                  canceling the rest of the season had a deal not been done,
                  Stern had a wry retort when asked if he was bluffing.

                  ``You didn't pay to find out,'' he said.

                  As a result, the NBA went back to getting paid.