Do you recognize the top photo? Of course you do. That's Rick Pitino. How about the bottom photo? Probably not. That's the "immortal" Travis Knight, for whom the gracious Pitino granted a long-term, 7-year/$22 million deal - while allowing future-3-time Champion Rick Fox to head off to the rival Lakers.
I am not done! Travis' most-productive season was in 1997-98 with Boston, averaging 20.3 MPG, 6.5 PPG and 4.9 RPG. Knight never achieved that again. He went back to Laker-Land the very next season and finished his 7-year NBA stint, granted via Pitino's 7-year gift. The Knight-in-lusterless-armor finished his career averaging 9.0 minutes per game and producing a mere 1.9 points and 1.9 boards.
Not done yet! How about Rick Fox in Los Angeles? How does three Championships in a row from 1999 to 2002 sound? He started all playoff games for LA in 2001 and 2002, averaging 35.8 MPG, 10.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 1.9 SPG in 2001.
People may forget that Pitino became not only the head coach for the Celtics, but also General Manager and President of Basketball Operations. He controlled everything.The egotistical Pitino put the iconic Red Auerbach in the cellar. That can never be forgiven (per Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes):
Rick Pitino was supposed to save the Boston Celtics.
Sixteen years ago, the NBA's most storied franchise reached into the college ranks and snatched up the charismatic coach from Kentucky, plying him with draft lottery hopes and promises of unprecedented power over the organization's decisions.
It was a catastrophic failure.
Pitino went just 102-146 in three-and-a-half seasons as the Celtics head coach, general manager and president.
Obsessed with winning on his terms and driven to impose his will on the team, Pitino brazenly alienated his players and the city of Boston. Just as disastrously, the slickest press-conference charmer in the business uncharacteristically lost his cool in front of the media as the on-court defeats mounted.
You get my point. This one man did damage to "the NBA's most storied franchise" and to one of it's main founders. This should never have happened. Lessons learned. Whew! I feel better.
Great job Tom! It's good to get it out! He was the wrong choice, he never should have left college.
ReplyDeleteHe started to believe the accolades heaped on him before coming to Boston. We expect much better than he gave - both record-wise & character-wise.
ReplyDeleteSpot on right there Tom!
ReplyDelete