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Thursday, April 19, 2001
Players say they have respect for job O'Brien has done
Associated Press
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BOSTON – Even as the Boston Celtics were being eliminated
from the playoffs Wednesday night, interim coach Jim O'Brien
received a vote of confidence from the organization for the job
he's done since Rick Pitino resigned.
"It's a very fair assumption that he will be back as head coach
next year, pending our owner's approval," Celtics chief executive
officer Richard Pond said through a team spokesman. "Everything
will be discussed at the end of the season."
Owner Paul Gaston, who has the final say, has not made a
decision, Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss said.
The Celtics have gone 23-22 under O'Brien since he took over
from Pitino on Jan. 8 with the team 10 games below .500. They
improved enough to briefly move into playoff position before losing
six out of their last eight.
The Celtics were eliminated from the playoff race Wednesday
night when they lost to the Miami Heat 102-97 and the Indiana
Pacers beat the New York Knicks 100-93 to clinch the final playoff
berth in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics players also said they would like to see O'Brien
back.
"The first business is to get Coach O'Brien signed," said
forward and co-captain Antoine Walker. "He's got the respect of
all the players." Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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