Re: RP's style

[j.hironaka@unesco.org]

Good analogy, Mark. I'm sure we all can relate to what you mean.

Personally, when I hear Pitino's non-stop voice in the background of the tv
commentaries, I just assume his veteran players (Ron, Walter, Walker)  must by
now regard it as a personality quirk and pretty much block it out. I believe
Pitino is one of those stream-of-consciousness, motor-mouth, perfectionist
types who's talking as much to himself as the players. I wouldn't be surprised
if he even talks to himself in his sleep.

IMHO, there is no way around the conclusion that RP would be better off saving
his breath for when it matters (like the boy who cries "wolf"). Player's will
tune him out otherwise, except on defense where 1) listening to your teammates
and coach can help (Parish and Russell were big talkers) 2) a bit of
football-style sideline hollering can pump up your adrenalin, rather than make
you lose focus.

To me, the players look like they periodically lose focus and vision on
offense. Kenny and Ron basically play a two man game all night long, with Kenny
dribbling motionless on the perimeter waiting for Ron to come off his double
screen. Replace this with one more creative passer in the mix, and the natural
gifts of Walker and Pierce will come forward and overwhelm their "shoot while
you can" mentality. Notice that Walker (the more selfish of our two young
forwards) is almost always the passer, not the "passee", on fast break layups.
Hence, Pitino's continued interest in guys like Penny and Pippen.

Back to the subject (Pitino's mouth). Trying to put myself in the shoes of a
player, I think I might grow to resent Pitino if he continuously hollered "do
this, do that" directions at me in front of 19,000 fans, as opposed to inside a
practice gym. From what I gather, his veteran players fortunately all have a
very thick skin. A "team of poor listeners" Pitino calls it.

Once we start winning, things will get better. But for the moment, I can't
blame Ron for thinking the "grass must be greener" in other NBA pastures. He's
reached college graduate age and probably is anxious to leave the nest of the
overbearing "father" he both loves and despises.

Joe

----

Mark Estepp wrote:

> Having watched nearly every game (on the tube) for both of RP's years, I
> have to say that his constant "coaching" from the bench has to drive most
> players, and perhaps especially young players, CRAZY!
> It wears me out just listening to him.
>
> Most of you can probably relate to this analogy:  In my pickup game, which
> plays 3 times a week, there is always a guy or two doing more coaching than
> playing, constantly screaming at teammates to "get back!" or "rebound!"
> "play D!".  Are these guys loved?
>
> Hardly.  Actually in my game, they usually get popped every now and again!