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 The Inquisition continues: Now it's Bird vs Pitino
9/6/99
by Jebidiah Jackson, Boston Celtics columnist 
The Celtics just can't stay away from the spotlight even when it doesn't even 
involve a Pitino trade rumor. Larry Bird has a new book out and some parts 
have been released to create the controversy necessary to make the book 
attractive to the Jerry Springer crowd. The juiciest part appears to be on 
whether or not Pitino offered Bird a job in his new regime. Pretty boring, 
huh. However, the local contributors to your fishwrap seem hellbent on 
catching Pitino in a lie. So on with the inquisition. 

Bird has always been known as a straight shooter. There was never any BS 
about him. Therefore, any revelations that appear in Bird's recent book will 
be taken as gospel. Pitino is no Clinton. However, he could be guilty bending 
the truth a little to emphasize the positive. We have to remember that this 
book was written from Bird's point of view. Some times things aren't always 
what they seem. Let me give you an example: 

Larry: Rick, we sure would like for you to come and coach the Celtics for 
next year, maybe even be our GM. 

Rick: I don't know, Larry. I love the Celtics but like I told you before I am 
happy right where I'm at. 

Larry: Well, we sure could use ya. The organization is a mess. 

Rick: Well, I tell ya. I am not going to get into another situation like I 
had with the Knicks. I would have to be calling the shots. I would probably 
have to dump all of them, except of course, Red. I would also like to have 
you stick around, maybe as a assistant coach? But like I said before, I'm 
happy where I'm at right now. 

Now in this interchange, one could conclude that Larry would be offered a job 
if Pitino took the job. However, another could conclude that this is thinking 
out loud and no job was actually offered. 

Now, if Pitino and Bird sat down together and worked out what 
who-said-what-and-when, I would think a logical explaination could be worked 
out for all partys. Just like the previous misunderstanding between Red and 
Bird where, after it was talked out, really wasn't a misunderstanding at all. 
But that is too logical. 

All in all, in a few years, it isn't going to matter anyways. Pitino is going 
to sink or swim on his own record. I actually feel a little embarassed that I 
feel the need to defend him on such a silly thing. I have to say that I'm a 
little disappointed that Larry has demonstated such unCeltic-like behavior by 
airing Celtic dirty laundry that is barely two years old in an existing 
regime. But right now this junior high stuff sells books and newspapers. And 
people in an inquisition need charges. And, I guess, Larry needs some new 
golf clubs...