Re: ESPN Article on Pitino

[bird <birdw@aloha.net>]

>From: "Juddy" <norine@together.net>
>
>     Thanks to Bentz I went to ESPN and read the articles - the one 
>on Pitino by Adrian Wojnarowski was right on the mark for the way I 
>feel - said very, very well.  Of course that's why he's a journalist 
>and I'm not.

You really think it was written that well?  I wouldn't sell yourself 
short -- you're a much better writer and more persuasive than this 
guy, I think.  Here's why:

1) Wojnarowski's first main criticism is "Gee, Rick Pitino left a 
practice to go see Billy Donovan's team in the Final Four."  Big 
deal.  The C's were out of the playoff picture, and as coach and 
"emperor", Il Duce gets to decide when practice is, how long it 
lasts, and who must show up.  The man has like three dozen assistants 
-- I'm pretty sure Jim O'Brien ran a repsectable practice.  Not too 
concerned about this point.

2) Second criticism is, Pitino has "destroyed his share of forests to 
publish his self-help motivational books, burned tanks of jet fuel to 
fly into corporate events and tell cliche-starved businessmen the 
secrets to his old successes."  Gimme a break.  I could just as 
easily bring up the paper most newspaper sports editorials waste. 
Low blow, criticizing the guy for doing what thousands of people do: 
write books, fly airplanes, and speak to people.  Just silly.

3) Pitino has used excuses instead of being "accountable."  There's a 
fine line between an "excuse" and a "reason."  I think with Pitino's 
demeanor and attitude, people often mistake the latter for the 
former.  I doubt Poultrino himself views Gaston's fiscal 
responsibilty or the 1997 draft as excuses for losing -- that is, 
saying "we're not winning, and there's why and it's OK."  Rather, he 
probably thinks these are the reasons for some (or a lot) of the 
losing.  Can't really say I agree with him, though.  This is the best 
of Wojnarowski's arguments so far, though, and it still just isn't 
that convincing.

4) Pitino has brought "less value and stability" to the roster, 
through bad signings and bad picks.  OK, part of that is true: Pitino 
has made some bad moves, and made some bad signings.  On the other 
hand, the team is better now than when he took over.  So, if the ends 
justify the means for you (and as a fan, they often do for me), then 
I'm relatively happy with that.  Could Pitino have done better?  Oh 
yeah.  But I also think he's brought in more value and more 
stability.  *buzzzzzz*  Thanks for playing.

The suggestion that Pitino would do better with an executive over him 
is a pretty good one, though -- I think that's true of a lot of NBA 
coaches.  The rest of the article is the usual name-calling, low 
blows, and snide remarks.  None too convincing.

I think if that article espouses your views, more power to you.  But 
I just don't think it was all that well-written.  And please don't 
imply that he's somehow better at getting his point across than you. 
Just as Bill Cooper is (was?) a better journalist than 95% of the 
ones out there, I'd rather hear from Dorine, Celtic fan and list 
member, and her reasonings, than this shmuck from Joisey.  Just my 
opinion.

Regards,

Bill, (Celticus "Tirdius" Maximus)

P.S. BTW, I think there's lot's of stuff to criticize Pitino about -- 
and most of it is expressed very well on this list.  Just don't think 
Wojo is very good at doing it.  For myself, I try not to look at it 
through the lens of a "Pitino-supporter" or a "Pitino-basher".  Some 
things I like, some things I really dislike.  Win more, and I won't 
care as much about the latter.