Boston teams blow whistle on bold bosses - By John Gearan Telegram & Gazette Sports Columnist

[kevin from singapore <bostonceltics17@yahoo.com>]

Boston teams blow whistle on bold bosses
Friday, April 13, 2001
By John Gearan
Telegram & Gazette Sports Columnist
Bruins president Harry Sinden tipped his hand the other day
on radio. He remarked that the Celtics were doing better
without "a big name coach" and perhaps there was a lesson in
that.
         Yesterday Mike Keenan learned that lesson well. The
Bruins did not invite back their high-profile, volatile head
coach. He was shown the exit to the FleetCenter. Like his
arrogant soulmate Rick Pitino, Keenan won't be in Boston for
fans to kick him around anymore.
         Instead the Celtics and Bruins will likely turn to
low-key types for leadership. The Bruins are calling
assistant Peter Laviolette, 36, the "leading candidate" for
the head job, while the Celtics will offer a new contract to
Jimmy O'Brien, Pitino's former assistant.
         Why is Keenan getting his walking papers and
O'Brien being invited back? Is it just because the Bruins
failed to make the playoffs after he took over for Pat
Burns, fired in October after eight games? Not quite. The
Celtics didn't make the playoffs either and they want to
keep O'Brien. The difference is money and style.
         The Celtics can extend O'Brien's contract for a
fraction of the fortune it had to fork over to the
fork-tongued Pitino, who reigned as king and coach of the
long-dead dynasty. The Bruins can get Laviolette with Calder
Cup credentials for a lot less dough than they could Keenan
with his Stanley Cup credentials. Furthermore, O'Brien is
unassuming and co-operative. Keenan is haughty and
confrontational.
         No doubt the Celtics and Bruins would pay the long
price if a "big name coach" would bring back fans to the
overpriced FleetCenter. However, that marketing strategy is
dead in the water. The bean counters finally figured out
fans aren't stupid and they want to see a winner. As a
result, attendance for both struggling teams is down. There
is real concern that corporate fat cats, faced with
predictions of an economic recession, will not re-up for all
those luxury boxes. And the teams are taking a woeful
beating by not making the playoffs. The NHL, most certainly,
and the NBA to a lesser extent, aren't exactly standing on
terra firma regarding finances.
         Consequently the Bruins and the Celtics are
adopting an old, but very true notion in sports: You don't
have to be a big-mouth or a celebrity to be a successful pro
coach. In fact, it probably helps if you're neither.
         "Everyone Loves Jimmy" would be the name of a TV
sitcom starring O'Brien.
         Everyone has come gushing to his cause. Hall of
Famers Bob Cousy and Tom Heinsohn, now Celtic colormen, are
giving O'Brien ringing endorsements, noting how much harder
the Celtics are playing since Pitino's departure. Even
Celtic arch-enemy, Pat Riley, believes O'Brien has "done a
great job" and "deserves to be a head coach in this league."
Co-Captains Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce are publicly
pushing for owner Paul Gaston to sign up O'Brien
immediately.
         Unlike his friend Pitino, O'Brien is a
straight-shooter with the players, the fans and the media.
He does not demand respect, he commands respects. He
understands the game, knows how to get the ball into the
hands of his superstars, and gets his millionaires to
perform unselfishly. Pierce has blossomed under his looser
rein. Walker has emerged as a leader. Others have performed
over their heads. Since O'Brien took over, the Celtics have
gone 13-13 on the road and 23-22 overall. They are playing
hard and dormant fans are waking up and taking notice.
         O'Brien comes from a basketball hotbed. An
outstanding point guard, he is a St. Joe's and Big Five Hall
of Famer. He is married to the daughter of a St. Joseph's
and NBA coaching legend, Jack Ramsay. He has paid his dues,
coaching 25 years as a college and pro assistant and head
coach.
         In style, O'Brien is not unlike K.C. Jones. He
keeps things simple, lets the pros freelance and does not
scream at them publicly or privately. He put a halt to
Pitino's absurd penchant for pressing and trapping
throughout a game.
         His players have responded to being treated like
adults and have hustled. The media likes him because he is
sincere. For example, the other night a reporter asked him
how his mother's recent death had impacted him emotionally.
Politely he told the media he did not want to discuss such a
personal matter. "No offense (meant)," he told the reporter
who'd asked the question. O'Brien handled the matter like an
adult. How refreshing.
         Keenan has a different teaching technique that has
ired pros in all six cities he has coached. He has had
success: one Stanley Cup, three other appearances in the
finals. However, his intimidating methods turn off the pros
eventually. Even though the Bruins finished with a 7-2-1
rush and Keenan posted a 33-26-7 record, Sinden and general
manager Mike O'Connell weren't convinced Keenan could turn
around the franchise.
         So they will likely hand over the reins to
Laviolette, a native of Franklin. Laviolette is level-headed
and fair. Players like him. Boston hopes he can do what he
did for AHL Providence in 1988-99: make the Bruins champs.
         These moves do not guarantee O'Brien or Laviolette
will turn around these dreadful franchises. FleetCenter and
team owner Jeremy Jacobs still must spend some serious cash
to significantly improve the Bruins. The Celtics have some
big holes to fill at guard and center. The Bruins haven't
won it all since 1972. The Celtics will embarked on their
14th season with out new championship banner. However, the
Bruins and Celts have improved their chances dramatically by
shedding two coaches with inflated opinions of themselves
and salaries.