Pitino On Walker/Mercer/Blasting the fans/Making the playoffs/Becoming a Contender

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

According to the Brockton Enterprise's Jim Fenton, Il Duce
spoke to a gathering of the Boston Media last week and
had this to say:

On Evil-now-Good Toine:
He loves him so much that he wants him to bear his child which
will be named Watino. Actually, he said that he's closer to
Antoine than any player he's ever coached excluding Jamal
Mashburn (a free agent after next season - Think Pitino isn't
already conjuring ways already of swiping him away from Riles).
Pitino says Walker has always liked and respected him, and that
Antoine understands now why he did the things he did.
Pitino says he's quite happy with Toine's performance,
but hopes Walker will put forth the effort in a post-season
conditioning program.

On Moving to the Front Office in 2003:
Pitino says he can't see himself doing something other than
coaching. He also doesn't see himself going back to College
Basketball either.

On Being the Celtics President:
Il Duce doesn't care about titles, just that no one above him is second
guessing his decisions.

On Gaston:
"'He's been unbelieveably supportive.'"


On Mercer:
He became a selfish player in 1999, who wouldn't pass the basketball.
Pitino still has his contract in his drawer.

On his Making the Playoffs Prediction:
Pitino thought the C's had a 50-50 chance of making the playoffs.

On What it Will Take to Make the C's a Contender:
Walker and Pierce have to become stars; Battie more consistent;
a veteran up front, and a two guard who can hit threes and play
defense (sounds like a perfect description of Derrick Anderson).

On Blasting the Fans and Media:
"'It was a calculated move to take the pressure off the team and
(Walker).'"

On Why the C's Struggle on the Defensive End:
They lack athleticism and they're a young team - And young
team's don't play defense.

Ray