What?

["R. Bentz Kirby" <bocelts@usit.net>]

I am hard pressed to understand many on this list.  I can't for the life
of me understand how this list of intelligent and knowledgable
basketball fans seem to think that the Celtics are a team of vast talent
that is woefully and poorly coached.  What is up with that.  This team
has some talent, but is short on many facets of the game that are
necessary to win.  Rick's coaching is not the reason for its
shortcomings.  You may be frustrated, but you are deluding yourself to
think that a coaching change will make any real difference.  I mean, are
the Wizards headed for the championship this year?  Or next.  No.  We
are saddled with cap problems and immature players who can not focus for
the complete game.  And we have had serious lost minutes to injuries to
key players.

I don't suppose my words will fall in soil that will encourage growth,
but this carping about coaching is some kind of virus that has infected
the members of the list.  If Rick is not winning by the 2001-02 season,
then it will be either coaching or management and will be on him.

In the interim I will offer up a dose of reality.  Most if not all of us
are not as good at being a general manager, coach, scout or evaluator of
talent as Rick Pitino is.  We may think we are, and we may be able to
pick at some things he does and be correct on some of his folks.  But,
given equal talent and players and anyone on this list coaching against
Pitino, and he will whip you with coaching.  Lighten up.

This is reality.  WE DO NOT HAVE THE TALENT OR MATURITY TO BE A GOOD
TEAM.  Coaching is not the problem, at least yet.  You will feel better
and live longer if you accept this reality.  Repeat after me, Phil
Jackson could not win with this talent.  Larry Brown could not win with
this talent.  Pat Riley could not win with this talent.  Larry Bird
could not win with this talent.

The problem right now is the owner, not the coach.

--

Bentz Kirby
bocelts@usit.net
http://www.public.usit.net/bocelts/