Slick Rick Smith: Pitino likely to leave Celtics early Jul 16, 1999 3:10 p.m. ET By Sam Smith Pro Sports Xchange Can the Spurs repeat? Can Shaq do a rap song to Zen? Will Latrell Sprewell join Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign in New York? There are many intriguing questions ahead regarding the next NBA season as the league catches its breath after the 50-game, three-month season and the playoffs that ran right into the draft. So trades and free agent signings are on hold until Aug. 1. But one of the most interesting rumors going around is that this is the beginning of the end of Rick Pitino. You remember him. Smart, good looking and a pretty good coach. As for managing personnel and coaching in the NBA, well, that's another issue. And it may be becoming one. Pitino just comes off his second year of not bringing the Boston Celtics back to glory. It appears like a third is ahead, especially with talent-laden teams such as Charlotte and New Jersey, who missed the playoffs last season, primed to make a run back to the playoffs. It would seem, barring some major personnel miracle, that would again leave the Celtics on the outside looking in. That is significant. Because Pitino made some promises. Like the Celtics being in the playoffs by his third season, being in championship contention by his fifth. Doesn't look like it's going to happen, and it raises questions again about whether coaches who are successful in college can duplicate that success in the NBA. John Calipari couldn't. He was fired by the Nets during the past season. But Pitino is the big test case: He got the big money, the biggest contract ever for an NBA executive and the power. But the word is starting to get around the NBA. It's going to be hard for Pitino to recruit any free agents, even if the Celtics had room available under the salary cap, because of his frenetic, up-tempo style, which has been anathema to veterans. Pitino also has favored the kids on his teams, and word like that gets around the NBA. But the latest is the continuation of an on and off love/hate relationship with star Antoine Walker, who had a poor season in 1999 after coming in out of shape. Pitino swore Walker would be watched more carefully, but then word began to leak out of Boston that Walker again was getting out of shape, missing workouts, breaking off with his personal trainer. It all came as a surprise to Walker, and some wondered if it was Pitino's way of trying to swing a deal with Seattle, which is unlikely due to salary cap complications, for free agent Vin Baker, who has long professed his interest in returning to the New England area. Some also suggested it was Pitino's way of beginning to leave himself an opening to get out of his contract after the 1999-2000 season if the Celtics miss the playoffs, which most expect. Pitino would say he was unable to work things out with Walker, who is now on a long-term contract, and leaving would be best for the organization. There also is the issue of Ron Mercer, who says he wants to re-sign with Boston, though at substantially more money than the Celtics have been offering. Yet, he also has been on the trading block around the NBA for some time now as the Celtics remain unsure they can resign him and don't want to lose him without compensation. It leaves Pitino with long-term contracts for players such as Kenny Anderson, whom Pitino battled with last season and wants to trade, Dana Barros and Greg Minor. It also leaves the possibility once again of a personnel shakeup, which makes adapting to Pitino's style of play more difficult. Plus, the Celtics remain at least close to the salary cap through at least the 2001 season, making major personnel moves difficult. Pitino has demonstrated that he is a talented coach, though his experience in personnel leaves much room for improvement. Perhaps he has taken on too much. But he also isn't accustomed to losing, and all the excitement, media and fan support that greeted his arrival is fading. Going into his third season in 1999-2000, it's time for Rick Pitino to produce. The betting is that he'll leave first. |
