Rick Pitino show - Oct 31, 1999

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

RP show summary:

The Fortson injury really hurts but Pitino hopes that the Celtics develop
better rebounding in his absence, and will be an overall stronger rebounding
team when he returns as a result.

The goal of the first year was to build a great work ethic and hustle.
The goal of this year is to build chemistry and continuity for the future.
In the first year, the team didn't really have any chemistry, they were 
just a bunch of guys put together and working hard. The second year, the
team had negative chemistry because everyone was fighting to shoot the ball.
This year, he thinks people are thinking pass before shoot and teammate
before self so he thinks there will be good chemistry. But losing breeds
bad chemistry.

He evaluates Walker as being 80% back to full condition. The ankle injury
hindered him during the summer. Anderson had, in Pitino's opinion, a great
preseason. 

He said that Walker was a captain during his first year because he was one
of the only players that he knew would be there long term. He also wanted 
to get him to mature. This year, everyone voted and Antoine got the most 
votes. The other captain, Barros, leads by example by being very professional
and through his work ethic.

Pitino talked about how much he admired Bill Russell and they showed a
scene from last year when Russell spoke to the team before a game. He 
basically said, the big men have to make their presence felt, the little
guys have to run around and wear out their defenders, and you just have
to work harder than the opponent.

Pitino roughly broke down the Eastern Conference. He cut out Chicago 
from the playoff picture because they were rebuilding. He said that he 
originally had cut Orlando but then they had an impressive preseason.
They are young, energetic, but lack talent so they won't make it.

He feels there are two sure playoff teams: Miami, with its defense,
experience, and superstar Mourning; and surprising to me, Milwaukee, who
has a great offense with Cassell and Allen having the ability to get to
the line, and various defensive looks.

Everyone else is in the hunt. NJ has Marbury, the "most lethal weapon in
basketball" due to the new rules. He is a physical, dominating point guard.
He and Van Horn form a dynamic duo. Philly has great defense, a slowdown
pace, and Allen Iverson. Washington has a super starting 5 and will do well
if they avoid injury. NY has experience and defense, but Pitino is not sold
on them, and they will not be as good as last year. Detroit will try to 
play speed ball. Indiana has experience and great depth, but will age get
to them? Toronto has possibly the best talent and athleticism and a "baby
Jordan" in Vince Carter. Charlotte has a great starting 5 but will need to
stay healthy - one injury could wreck them (or Washington). Cleveland is
talented when healthy. Atlanta is the best rebounding team in the conference.

It was surprising that he chose Milwaukee over the more popular choices
Indiana, Charlotte, or NY as a surefire playoff bet.

Alex