Re: What Will Be Considered Pitino's Biggest Mistake?

[David A Wickerham <aw623@freenet.buffalo.edu>]

Actually, I think Pitino might have proven to be a better GM than coach.
He has certainly upgraded the talent level of the team, and managed to
erase each of his mistakes.  The players he pursued, like Rodney Rogers
and Jermaine O'Neal have all had undeniable talent that was not obvious to
everyone. His real failing has been as Coach.  When he first arrived, his
philosophy was to play at 110 mph and watch the other teams make mistakes
with the unaccustomed pace of the game. Instead, the Celtics have been
playing at a 30mph pace, loping up and down the court and making
half-hearted runs at shooters.  Celtic fast breaks have been one guy
dribbling up the court as fast as he can, and four trailers loafing up the
Court.  Their offensive rebounding scheme has been one (sometimes none)
players hitting the glass, and 4 guys spotting up, hoping someone will
toss the ball to him for a jump shot.  It really is the worst of all
worlds, in that we don't get many offensive boards, but we still get beat
upcourt for layups.  As much as I admire Pitino for what he was able to do
in College, he just hasn't shown that he can get the job done in the Pros.

****dave



On Tue, 21 Nov 2000, R. Bentz Kirby wrote:

> 
> 
> > When Rick Pitino finally departs the premises and leaves
> > the Celtics in hopefully much better hands, sometime
> > between now and shortly after the season's end,
> > what will be considered his biggest mistake?
> 
> Pitino's biggest mistake is thinking that he could make personnel
> decisions.  He should have just let the Celtics hire the best GM on the
> market, and coach the players.  His ego was his downfall.  He really
> believed he could evaluate talent.
> 
> Now of course, let's do some comparison shopping.  Larry Brown.  I don't
> know if he is the GM too or not, but they have been lucky to get a
> player that I despise, but who brings his game all out every night,
> Iverson.  Brown is kicking Pitinio's ass.  He can not get Walker and
> Pierce to bring it every night.  Pierce, I think, is somewhat soft.
> Walker can be the man, but he doesn't bring it every night.
> 
> Doc Rivers, last  year he worked miracles with some so so talent.  This
> list thought he walked on water.  This year, he has upgraded with that
> youngster from Toronto.  Hill is out hurt.  The net result.  As of
> yesterday, they are 4-7 and are behind Boston in the standings.  What if
> we had added McGrady and were playing like that?  I guess Doc doesn't
> walk on water either.
> 
> So, Pitino may or may not suck as a pro coach.  He has won before in the
> NBA when he had a center.  And the team sucked before he got there.  He
> hasn't forgotten how to coach.  He is a good coach.  He sucks as a GM as
> he does make the GM decisions.  He is not a good coach for this team.
> Put him in LA, San Antonio, Utah, Portland, etc. and DO NOT let him make
> personnel decisions, he might win the championship.  He needs to leave
> Boston though.
> 
> Of course, now that I have said that, the Celtics will go on a big
> streak just to prove us all wrong.  I would love to eat that humble pie!
> 
> --
> R. Bentz Kirby
> bocelts@usit.net
> http://www.public.usit.net/bocelts
> http://www.egroups.com/group/Christianlit
> http://www.egroups.com/group/voodoochile
> 
> 
> 

-----------------------------------------------------------------
	  Dave Wickerham
	  aw623@freenet.buffalo.edu
	  Saratoga Springs, NY