Pitino: Game Will Be Faster With Changes, Don't Care About The Draft

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

      Boston Herald
      New game fastest ever, hands down
      NBA Notes/by Steve Bulpett 
      Sunday, June 27, 1999
      NEW YORK - While the NBA office is saying the changes proposed in the game 
      aren't drastic, Rick Pitino, a member of the Special Committee behind the 
      alterations, believes the effects will definitely make a difference.
      Pending a test during summer leagues, teams will now be able to play zone 
      on the side of the court with the ball, and rules on grabbing will now be 
      enforced to greater degree.
      In addition, players will have to pass or shoot the ball within five 
      seconds below the foul line, and the clock will be reset to no less than 
      14 seconds - instead of 24 - on violations by the defense in the 
      frontcourt.
      The moves were greeted with a ho-hum here at The Finals, even though one 
      of the entries, the New York Knicks, have long been accused of getting 
      away with overly physical play.
      Still, Pitino sees a great benefit to the game.
      ``When you see how much more open things become, I think people will look 
      at the changes as pretty drastic,'' he said. ``You're going to be telling 
      the defensive players they can't use their hands and that they have to 
      move their feet. That's going to mean a big difference.
      ``This is just like what they did with football a number of years ago. 
      Scoring was down and they needed a way to let the offense catch up with 
      the defense. So they told the defense they couldn't put their hands on the 
      receivers (after a few yards from the line of scrimmage) and it changed 
      the game.
      ``You look at what's been happening to players in basketball when they try 
      to cut and you can see how we had to make a change. A guy like Reggie 
      Miller, you could just grab him and not let him get through. Now the 
      players will be able to use their athleticism and move. It's going to open 
      up the game.'

      Pass on the pick
      The Celtics hold the 55th overall pick in Wednesday's draft, and Pitino 
      said he wouldn't mind dealing it away and having no picks at all. The 
      Celts did call all the teams at the top of the first round to see what 
      they wanted for their pick, but they were just looking for a bargain.
      In years past, the Celtics have held their draft-night proceedings at the 
      World Trade Center or the FleetCenter. This year there will be only a 
      small gathering at their new Healthpoint practice facility in Waltham.
      My suggestion was to hold it in the corner booth at The Fours on Canal 
      Street. ``With the 55th pick, the Celtics select a power forward and some 
      clam chowder.''
      By the way, Pitino wishes his players had attended the Bill Russell night 
      at the Fleet to get a taste of what Celtic achievement is all about.
      To give them an idea, he's sending them the series of Herald articles from 
      the days before and after the event.