The Herald reported yesterday that Pagliuca, the 54-year-old Weston Democrat who co-owns the Boston Celtics , is seriously considering a bid for the late U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's seat. Pagliuca could announce a decision as soon as today.

Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck said Pagliuca would make a great senator because he is so good at creating successful partnerships.

``He'd give 100 percent to the state,'' Grousbeck said.

Celtics President Danny Ainge said he's always been impressed by Pagliuca's ability to juggle multiple tasks without losing focus on the details.

``He'll call me about a $500,000 contract we are working on, while he's overseas negotiating a $1 billion deal,'' Ainge said. ``He's someone who gets things done.''

Pagliuca, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, is a former Duke University Basketball player who made millions at Bain Capital and was part of a group that purchased the Boston Celtics for $360 million in 2003.

Before his potential Senate bid surfaced this week, Pagliuca drew attention as a potential buyer of the embattled Boston Globe - raising questions about his motivations. A Senate run would be seen as a conflict of interest for a serious Globe bidder.

``What's the big picture? What's his 10-year plan,'' asked Callow.

Pagliuca, who is reportedly worth around $400 million, doesn't just work for Bain. He keeps a close watch on the Celtics operations, and he serves on several corporate boards.

His affiliations - including fast-food chain Burger King, for-profit health care company HCA Inc. and global drug maker Warner Chilcott - could present problems on the campaign trail, as the nation pushes to reform the health-care system.

Bain's track record of reaping huge profits, after stripping jobs and factories from businesses it has taken over, could also be a turn-off to voters as it was for Mitt Romney, who previously sought the same Senate seat from a perch at Bain Capital.

While Pagliuca would run as a Democrat, his wife, Judy, is well-known in Hub Republican circles. A former Fidelity Investments executive, she had served as Bain Capital founding partner Romney's campaign treasurer during his failed 1994 senatorial bid. Later, when Romney was governor, he appointed her to the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority board.

The Pagliucas have three sons and a daughter. In his spare time, Stephen Pagliuca coaches youth Basketball teams.

Callow warned that people with Pagliuca's kind of drive don't always thrive in the slower-moving, more process-heavy world of government, especially now that money is so tight.

``We know he can do deals when he's got money in his pocket, but can he do deals when there's no money?'' he said.

Callow added that it's no surprise that another Bain executive wants to play politics on a national stage.

``They are conditioned not to take small jobs,'' he said. ``These are people who are motivated and competitive, and they love to go into corporate America and make things happen.''