Re: Bulpett Says Bye Bye Birdy

["Lance Jacobson" <lancejacob@xxxxxxxxx>]

        Working with players, and owners and management is quite a different world.
        Example, Larry did well with an aging team in Indiana. He managed to piss
        off Gaston to the point where no deal could have been made. If that's not
        burning bridges what is? The difference in Magic and Larry business wise is
        outstanding.>>DanF

Dan, let's take a moment to connect the dots.

Larry's a winner, right?  Hate's to concede anything before it's over.  Isn't that
obvious from his career?

Larry used to go to Celtic games after he retired.  Do you recall this?  Do you know
when he stopped?

He stopped going and pulled away from the Celtics organization when Gaston hired M.L.
Carr to find a coach, and the farce for bringing in Dave Cowens begat the planned
downfall of the Celtics.

They gave M.L. Carr the reins on the premise that he was to lose games and get the
Duncan pick.

This was 110% Gaston.  He dumps Bird's buddy Gavitt, brings in the jester and builds a
team around Todd Day in order to lose as many games as possible, ensuring the #1 pick.
An extra pick gave them additional chances to get Duncan. . .all primed to rebuild the
Celtics.

This isn't Larry's way.  You build through work and success, teaching and bringing out
the best in players.  He disassociated himself with the bunch of losers who played the
NBA gamble to get the #1 pick in the Duncan Sweepstakes.

Is it wrong for Bird to stand for principles instead of sham?  Not at all.  Distancing
himself from the Celts was the best thing he could do.  His Pacers kicked our butts,
and he smiled every time.  Reggie Miller said "losing to Boston wasn't an option".
Good vs. Evil.  Honor vs. fraud.

Get with the facts, Dan.  You can criticize Bird, but not on this issue.  He's a far
better man than Paul Gaston, and he always gave the fans their money's worth.  Those
are the real Bird Rights.