McDonough: Gaston Hates Larry

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

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/013/sports/Scenarios_just_myth_the_point+.shtml

Scenarios just myth the point


By Will McDonough, Globe Columnist, 1/13/2001


Larry Bird isn't walking through any door with the Celtics logo on it in
the near future. Bird coming to Boston to rescue his old team after the
departure of Rick Pitino is a myth.


For one, owner Paul Gaston can't stand Bird. Said one high-ranking
official within the past week: ''[Gaston] will never sell it to any
group that has Bird in it. He feels Bird treated him badly after he left
Boston.''


Secondly, Bird is supposed to be the front man for a group led by Steve
Belkin of Trans National Travel. Belkin is very successful, but he
doesn't have the $200 million it takes to buy the Celtics. Belkin has
been around town trying to induce successful businessmen to join his
effort. Ask yourself this: If you had money, would you want to buy a
piece of the Celtics now? Would you want to have Larry Bird, putting no
money into the deal himself, running the show with your money on the
line?


Said someone close to Gaston this week: ''There's nothing going on. The
other guys can't come up with the money.''