RE:ex-Pitino players speak

[j.hironaka@unesco.org]

Below are quotes from former Pitino players, as reported in the Boston
Globe. I wish the reporter had also quoted from the former Knicks
players.

     Florida coach Billy Donovan, who played for Pitino at
     Providence from 1985-87.:
     ''Just because he's raising his voice, it doesn't mean he's
     angry or he's being  negative. With Coach Pitino, you have to
     listen to what he's saying and not the fact that his voice is
     raised.''

     Donovan said, however, many of Pitino's lessons are learned
     during preparation, which is difficult during a
     lockout-shortened NBA season. ''One thing I learned from the
     game of basketball is that players play well with confidence
     and you get confidence from practicing,'' said Donovan. ''The
     difficulties for a young NBA team, especially with Coach
     Pitino, is when you play five days a week or every other day,
     rest becomes a factor.

     ''You can't rest and work on things, and that hurts
     development. You have to play the game with confidence, and
     that comes through working in practice and repetition. Then
     once you have success, your self-esteem gets better.''

     Richie Farmer, who played for Pitino at Kentucky from 1989-92:

     ''The way we approached the game, we knew we may not have been
     the most talented team around and we might not beat you in a
     series, but if it was one game we felt we could play with
     anybody because we were in superior condition,'' said Farmer.

     ''If you love the game, you'll love my practices - they're
     fun, they're upbeat, and there isn't a lot of lecturing,''
     said Pitino. He enjoyed similar success with the Knicks,
     guiding a team from 24-58 the year before he took over to a
     38-44 record and then 52-30.