Pitino quote

[jmc@ptc.com]

peter delevett reported: 
> For all you Walker-worriers, the following quote should appease you: 'If he
> comes in great shape and totally changes what I feel needs to be changed,
> great,'' Pitino coos. ''But there will be no more babying. It's either
> [excrete] or get off the pot. I will not hesitate benching anyone who doesn't
> play with the idea of pass first and shoot second and who isn't willing to
> work.''
> 

I haven't had time to respond much to all the trades and speculation 
on this list lately, but after a long absence I'll make this one post 
before I get too busy again to post for another 2 months. 

The above quote is extremely refreshing to hear.  This is what Pitino 
should have done with Antoine last season, but I think after the big 
contract signing, he wasn't going to dare to bench him.  He benched 
Anderson for a game last year and I sure hope that means he's got the
guts to follow through on his threat to bench Walker this year if he
doesn't shape up.  This is the only way he's going to get Walker to do
what it takes to win.  I think Walker will actually appreciate being
pushed in this way, because he has a tremendous desire to win, but his
desire to showboat gets in the way of winning, and I think he realizes
that most of the time, but when he's on the court he just can't help
himself.  I think the rest of the team will appreciate the fact that 
everyone will be held to the same standards, unlike last year, and that 
will do wonders for team chemistry and willingness to play hard.  

(I also think the addition of rebounder Fortson in place of shooter 
Mercer will help team chemistry by having more shots to go around, and 
fewer shooters hogging up the few that were there.  I loved Mercer's 
style and hate to see him go but that's the reality of building a team...
it must be balanced.  With the ability to run a full training camp with 
in-shape players who mostly already understand Pitino's system for the 
first time in Pitino's Boston coaching career, plus the better team balance 
and chemistry, I'm very hopeful about this year.  All the Pitino nay-sayers 
just can't see the big picture, IMHO.)

The above Pitino quote also reconfirms my suspicion that all this trade 
talk about Walker is just a carefully orchestrated campaign by Pitino 
to scare Walker into shape, and that he actually has no intention of 
actually trading him, unless they get a young proven all-star like a 
Duncan, which just won't happen.  I think he also likes testing the waters 
regularly to evaluate how effective his propaganda is in improving his 
players' trade value.  I believe Walker will be a Celtic for a long time. 

Jon Mc 

(Going back to read-only mode until October.  Keep the great info coming, 
everyone!)