Paul M and Pitino

[Joe Hironaka <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

Paul M wrote:
"Just curious, Pitino has proven what over his NBA coaching carreer? His
playoff history as a coach? The Knicks had their doubts about his
coaching ability / philosophy...yes? No red flags went up last year?
Everybody convinced Pitino-ball is the way to go deep into the playoffs?
Everybody happy with the offense, or was that all just Walker's fault?
Everybody thrilled about Pitino's apparent obsession with getting
Mashburn? Will the system make Mashburn a better player? Just curious?"

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There have been so many thought-provoking posts lately that it's kind of
intimidating. I'm glad everyone's back in the swing of things, even if
it means eating my words or adjusting my views. I love this list.

Anyway, one post that I thought was worth trying to comment on is Paul
M's "Pitino or Walker?", since he makes valid points and since it goes
to the heart of many uncomfortable matters regarding the future success
of the Celtics.

Reading his post made me think that:

1. while it’s true that a Rick Pitino coached NBA team has never
advanced in the playoffs - even with a dominant young player like Ewing
(better even than ‘Toine?) - I think it’s fair to point out that we no
longer are competing in the Lakers-Celtics-Pistons-Sixers era. These
days, a flawed team with four good athletes (Toine, Ron, Paul, Kenny)
might be able to advance far into the playoffs, particularly now with an
entire generation of Dream Teamers nearing retirement. We'll just have
to see.
2. while last year's Celtics flamed out toward the end (when Kenny got
hurt) during their brief playoff run, I’m not sure that this late-season
losing streak was proof of the physical impossibility of playing
effective "Pitino-ball" over a full NBA season and playoffs. The "Greasy
One" in Miami supposedly demands even more effort from his players in
practice than does Pitino, yet until last year, Pat Riley's Lakers and
Knicks advanced as far into the playoffs as they deserved to go,
including winning a few championships. In general, I think a pressing
team that can effectively execute a fast break (get well soon, Kenny!)
will win championships at any level, provided they can adequately defend
the post. But I sense I’m somewhat oversimplifying the strengths and
weaknesses of Pitino-ball.

Although Paul raises real issues that I feel I can’t convincingly
answer, I'd rather continue believing that our Celtics have come full
circle, historically speaking, with the hiring of Rick Pitino. Once
again, we are widely viewed as the NBA’s best-conditioned team. Once
again, we are "revolutionizing" the sport by implementing a full-court,
running game that no one else thinks can work. Once again, we have a
coach with a grand ego and motivational skills who enjoys micromanaging
every aspect of the team. And once again, we have a core group of
hungry, proud, bad-ass black athletes that some fans don't want to go
see. All we need is for the Ricktator to pick up the habit of smoking
dime-store cigars, and for the Leprechaun to take up permanent residence
in the Fleet Center.

"Beat LA in 2000"


JoeH
Paris

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