The General said:
Well, since I am Celtics fan, I wish he had never left KY myself. The dude was a loser.
... and to top it all off, he didn't have the balls to hold a press conference when he left. He coached a game in Miami and then just ran away.
Of course, he said he would return for a press conference ....
... and we're still waiting.
Ricky is NO.1 in NCAA Ego's. You are right, he is a legend in his own mind. Consistently has the best players money can buy. The media loves this guy and the refs are intimidated by his reputation. Foul count 7-0 at one time in an NCAA semifinal game???...says it all. He will be back. Congrats to a regular guy like Bruce Weber!
EGO 74:
Whether there was a talent difference or not, does not change my opinion about Pitino. Some experts voiced the opinion that the Cardinal guards were every bit as good as the Illinois' guards. (Their size and all etc. etc. etc.) The zone defense will always be a questionable strategy, versus a number 1 team, that shoots over 40% from three. If that athleticism, can't guard in a man defense, one has to ask why.
Whether there was a talent difference or not, does not change my opinion about Pitino. Some experts voiced the opinion that the Cardinal guards were every bit as good as the Illinois' guards. (Their size and all etc. etc. etc.) The zone defense will always be a questionable strategy, versus a number 1 team, that shoots over 40% from three. If that athleticism, can't guard in a man defense, one has to ask why.
butt-kiss said:
that's the media for ya'. It's the Final Four, so of course they are gonna hype these teams all to hell. You made the comment that Pitino consistantly has the best players "money can buy". Don't know what you meant by that, Pitino has never been in trouble by the NCAA. Guess you'll be telling me next that the '92 UK team that featured Farmer, Pelphery, Feldhaus, and Woods and almost beat Duke were a juggernaut. Pitino has earned his rep as a great coach.
If you will notice, I never said he was not a good coach. He has a HUGE ego, like many D-1 head coaches. As far as not understanding the "the best money can buy statement", please. Rick was a notable cheater, back to his days at Hawaii, as a piss ant assistant. The fact that the NCAA has never nailed him is not relevant. Many top programs, who cheat consistently, have never been caught. Ask the UCLA alumns during the Wooden years.
Illini:
Ever heard of Sam Gilbert? Obviously not. I am not here to pick a fight with you guys. I made two simple factual statements about Rick Pitino in response to the topic. Now it is an "allegation filled thread". It's also ridiculous. Ok! NCAA hoops is 100% pure. Just check the NCAA violation logs to validate your opinions. Everyone developes their own perceptions and believes what they want. The media is a very powerful instrument. Sometimes the truth is not popular to the general public. I too love Wooden's accomplishments, but there was stuff going on!!!!
Pete Rose did not gamble on baseball
Barry Bonds did not take steroids
Headache Smith did not shave points at Ariz. State
Kentucky did not send $100 bills to Chris Mills
etc.
etc.
etc.
Best of luck to you guys! I'm done with this topic. You will have the last say so!
Ever heard of Sam Gilbert? Obviously not. I am not here to pick a fight with you guys. I made two simple factual statements about Rick Pitino in response to the topic. Now it is an "allegation filled thread". It's also ridiculous. Ok! NCAA hoops is 100% pure. Just check the NCAA violation logs to validate your opinions. Everyone developes their own perceptions and believes what they want. The media is a very powerful instrument. Sometimes the truth is not popular to the general public. I too love Wooden's accomplishments, but there was stuff going on!!!!
Pete Rose did not gamble on baseball
Barry Bonds did not take steroids
Headache Smith did not shave points at Ariz. State
Kentucky did not send $100 bills to Chris Mills
etc.
etc.
etc.
Best of luck to you guys! I'm done with this topic. You will have the last say so!
Illini said:
Class? You didn't follow him when he was in Boston, I guess.
When you win, it doesn't take much effort to be classy. When he was in Boston, he was losing and he was a classless jackass.
I mean, he ran away from the team. After coaching a game in Miami, he didnt go back with the team. He then told the Celtics that he quit.
"THE NEGAVITITY IN THIS TOWN SUCKS"
... and you know what? He was a coach at Boston University and I still don't like him.
butt-kiss said:
I agree that there was stuff going on at UCLA when Wooden was there ... but in those days EVERYONE was doing it. The media wasn't like it is now. Beat writers were paid by the university, and they kept their mouths shut.
... but that was not a UCLA problem. It was an NCAA problem. It was going on in EVERY program.
