pitino approach

["Liles, Donald" <liles@hr.upenn.edu>]

I was very excited as most of us were when Rick was brought into Boston. 
I too thought that we had a certain center from the Virgin Islands in the
bag 
with the upcoming draft thanks to our 13 wins.  

When the balls bounced the wrong way, I was quite depressed. I thought that
we would be able to build toward a championship within 3-4 years as did
Rick.
Then, Rick started trying to clean house to bring the free agents to win
sooner
than later. Although I didn't think that Pippen was the way to go, I was
pleased
that he was at least trying.  TK was a huge mistake, but I couldn't fault
him for
trying. Chris Mills could have been useful, but not in the Pitino system. 

Then in my opinion, he started making moves similar to the ones Mike Keenan
typically makes as a coach/gm. He did it in Philly, Chicago, St. Louis,
Rangers,
Vancouver, not sure if he has started doing this yet in Boston.  Simply,
Keenan
trades away anyone who doesn't play in his system, brings in many players
who
have more grit than talent imho (Stephane Matteau probably the best
example).

Pitino did the same thing bringing players that could play his system and
overly 
committing to them. Walter, Bowen, Battie & V (who must have showed
something 
at one point), V and others. Also like Keenan, once someone started not
doing well or whenever
there was a false sense of positional strength, Pitino would trade perhaps
too quickly 
a talent away. Mercer and Billups are decent players, but they wouldn't fit
in the system 
in Boston. Then again, I don't necessarily want them back in Boston, just an
observation.

I hope that whomever they bring in next as coach will help them turn the
corner. I also
hope that Rick enjoys working the tournament, and takes a good job out
there. 

just my thoughts, hoping for Bruins fans that Keenan doesn't start
jettisoning future stars 
for the quick victory. Sure the Rangers won, but most of the young players
were shipped 
off in the process. The Blackhawks were close to winning, but at the expense
of Hasek 
and others. 
  

Don