LA Times: Gaston's Fiscal Frugality May Send pitino Back To College

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

      Web-published May 09, 1999 | Updated 3:54 a.m. PT 
      THE NBA / MARK HEISLER 
      Short Season Gives Fans Case of Short-Term Memory 
      Gee, already? 
      MARK HEISLER, Times Staff Writer 
      <snips>

      Just what the Celtics need, fiscal responsibility: Pitino, who has 
      the final word on everything--except the budget--is putting the word out 
      again that owner Don Gaston's frugality may doom them to mediocrity. In a 
      league in which glamour teams are often $10 million to $20 million over 
      the cap, Gaston wants to hold the Celtics to the prescribed $32 million, 
      plus another $3 million in exceptions. Responded Gaston: "The new 
      collective bargaining agreement, while I think it is an improvement over 
      the old one in many respects, still gives teams the ability to commit 
      fiscal suicide. We are not going to be among those teams." In other words, 
      Pitino will try this for another year, but if he isn't making major 
      progress, may go back to college again. . . .