Re: Rick won't deviate from course

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

Thanks Jose Ogando who wrote:
> 
> Celtics Notebook/by Steve Bulpett - Boston Herald
> Tuesday, October 5, 1999
> 
> Coach Rick Pitino made some fairly bold promises when he came to
> Boston two years ago. In the meantime, one pledge in particular has
> been drawn to new heights. And he has been an accomplice in the
> wordplay.
> 
> In taking over the Celtics, Pitino said he wanted the club to contend
> for the playoffs in years three and four of his regime. But last year,
> with the Celts moving sluggishly through the condensed season, he was
> asked if he still was guaranteeing the club would make the postseason
> in the third year.
> 
> Rather than falling back to his exact words, or even asking for an
> extension on his plan because of the irregular 1999 season, Pitino did
> something strange. He went along with it.
> 
> And now, as he prepares to take the Celtics into training camp today
> at The Sports Authority Training Center at HealthPoint in Waltham,
> Pitino is fully aware he is putting himself and his players on the
> line.
> 
> If the Celtics aren't playing after the regular season ends next
> spring, the coach/president and the club will have failed.
> 
> And he knows it.
> 
> ``Actually, when I made the original statement, it was before the
> draft,'' Pitino said, recalling the impetus for his optimism. ``At
> that point, I thought I was going to have either (Tim) Duncan or
> (Keith) Van Horn, and maybe even both. So it wasn't really
> (over)stepping to say what I said.
> 
> ``In essence, I was expecting to have a different team,'' said Pitino,
> who lost out on Duncan in the draft lottery and missed on Van Horn
> when New Jersey traded up with Philadelphia prior to the draft. ``I
> was talking about the playoffs, but I was thinking that if we had
> Duncan, we'd not only be in the playoffs, we'd be vying for a
> championship in the third year. But even without him I still figured
> we could contend for a playoff spot in the third and fourth years. As
> it stands now, we've had to speed up the process. I went along with
> what people were asking me last year because I understand that people
> become very impatient.
> 
> ``And I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that. We're just
> moving up our goals. It's what I call good pressure. It's the kind of
> pressure you want in life. Your back is to the wall and you've got to
> come out fighting. That's what we have to do if we're going to achieve
> our goals. But regardless of what I say, that's not going to make it
> happen. The players are going to make it happen.''
> 
> So is Pitino believing his promise or merely hoping?
> 
> ``I believe that,'' he said, adding with a smile, ``I have to believe
> that. That's the window of my coaching opportunity. And at 47 years
> old, the window starts to close. It gets smaller and smaller as your
> contract gets shorter and shorter.''
> 
> Major problems for Minor
> 
> The Celtics are not counting on seeing Greg Minor in uniform this
> season. His right hip injury, treated with traction and therapy over
> the summer, is still not near NBA ready.
> 
> And it may never be.
> 
> ``You never know with that type of injury,'' Pitino said. ``You have
> to handle it month-to-month and just see on that. It's definitely not
> a day-to-day injury.''
> 
> Ellison tries again
> 
> Pervis Ellison will be practicing in the first of the two practices
> each day, coming back from ankle and assorted knee problems.
> 
> ``This is the last year of his contract with the Boston Celtics, and I
> know he wants to continue playing,'' Pitino said. ``So we're hoping
> this is his best year. Based on watching him in drills, I think he's
> pretty close.''