Will McDonough Crucifies Antoine

[wayray@ix.netcom.com (Way Of The Ray)]

And here's what the silver-haired, curt-tongued journalist said:

"And while Mo was bleeping his way around the Sox' locker room, Long Gone 
Antoine was moanin' to our man Michael Holley about his Celtics contract and 
his coach, Rick Pitino.  Antoine kept referring to himself as an All-Star, said 
in so many words that Pitino is a liar, and added that it was a waste of time 
to go to specialized individual practices, as pitino had requested, because 
after all, Antoine is a All-Star.  A 22-year-old All-Star who missed 900 shots
last season and shoots 42 percent from the floor.  A 22-year-old All-Star who 
should be down on his knees thanking Pitino for letting him take so many shots
even though he is a terrible shooter.  He wouldn't get the same free hand from 
a coach with a winning team.

"In case you don't understand where either of them are coming from, the key 
word is money.

"Mo said last year it wasn't about the money, and now he says it is about the
money.  Sure it is.  Mo wants to read a story in the fall that says he is the 
highest-paid player in the major leagues, even if it's for a day.  Mo wants 
more money than Pedro Martinez.  He wants bragging rights in the locker room.

"Same story with Walker.  If the Minnesota Timberwolves give Kevin Garnett, 
another Chicago homeboy, more than $100 million, then Antoine wants the same 
'respect.'  If Minnesota is that stupid, then he wants the Celtics to be that 
stupid.

"Fortunately for us, the Red Sox and Celtics don't appear to be that stupid, 
and both Vaughn and Walker are in the final year of their contracts.  Good 
luck, fellas.  The bus is running.  Don't let the door hit you in your 
backside.  You won't be missed.  People around here aren't big on ingrates
who don't appreciate getting paid in millions for playing games."
Ray