Re: Bulpett Says Bye Bye Birdy

["Dan Forant" <dforant1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Distancing himself from the Celts was cowardly. Just because Larry couldn't
have it his way he took his marbles and went home. I loved Larry as a
player, my favorite. As a coach he pissed me off with his attitude in the
Garden. Larry Bird has some issues. And you can't live on your laurels
forever if your getting back into the game. I wish him well.

DanF
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lance Jacobson" <lancejacob@attbi.com>
To: "Dan Forant" <dforant1@nycap.rr.com>; "Celtics Emai List"
<Celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 01, 2002 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: Bulpett Says Bye Bye Birdy


>         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.