Obvious or not?

[Theresa Lee <tjoyce@MIT.EDU>]

I think Pitino wants to help Bird, but not until Larry clears the way for
Pitino to have things just the way he wants them.  What are those things:

1. Tim Duncan and another good first rounder. "Larry Luck" is the only
effect Bird has on this item.
2. ML's true skills being used as a top NBA PR man (read: towel waver).
3. Larry as GM (he's the only one that has the clout to shake things up and
he won't be run out of town).
4. The above will signal the commitment from the owner to "do the right
things."

I believe that Pitino doesn't want to repeat New York.  He wants to know
that he's on the same page as the rest of the organization.  The only
person who Pitino respects enough to leave Kentucky is Mr. Bird.  The
town's right.  The team's tradition is right.  The talent could be getting
there, right? And with the next crop of free agents and some willingness to
take some risks, the talent can only get better over time. Things are
starting to look better to Pitino.

Why did Pitino reveal parts of his conversation with Bird?  Strategic
thinking if you ask me. Same with Bird's interviews.  They know how the
media works and they are using it to their advantage.  Neither has much to
lose, but the Celtics sure do.  Pitino was helping Bird with his quest to
be the GM and get rid of ML.  "I would only do it if Larry was on board,
etc."  So Gaston gets smart...pushes ML upstairs for the good of the team.
Bird's terms are that he picks his own coach..ML must go.  Coaching
position open...

Pitino may or may not bite....this year.  Although the timing should be
right for Pitino.  The C's can't afford another short term fix at the
coaching spot. And let's hope Larry doesn't think he's ML reincarnated.
Although Larry as coach wouldn't stand for easy practices and NO
SHOOT-A-ROUNDS!!!

Did anyone notice Pitino's comments following Kentucky's loss?  He seemed
unusually sentimental about his players...a sign that this could be it for
him a K?  Maybe.  I'm stretching the signals maybe.

TJL

P.S. The only "coaching" heard from ML yesterday was the same refrain over
and over..."Todd/Antoine/David/ don't cheat, don't cheat" (on defense).  If
I heard it once, I heard it a million times from him yesterday.


tjoyce@mit.edu