Word: pitino
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...Heroes Among Us" program was initiated by new Celtics coach Rick Pitino, the team's 13th coach, as part of his objective for the team to play a greater role in affecting the New England community, Merton said...
More importantly, Pitino's track record is extraordinary. He led B.U. to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 24 years. At Providence he inherited an 11-20 team, then took the Friars to the Final Four in his second year. The Knicks were one of the sorriest franchises in the N.B.A. when he took over in '87, but they won the Atlantic Division in his second year. When Kentucky came calling, that Holy Roman Empire of college basketball was in ruins. In eight seasons, Pitino went 219-50 with three trips to the Final Four and a national championship...
Still, he had promised Kentucky recruits he would be there for them, raising an obvious ethical question that was also posed in the press conference. "Coaches who say they are going to stay and then leave are not liars," said Pitino. "They're saying what's in their hearts at the time." Pitino had maintained he was staying put as late as two weeks ago, when he was promoting his motivational book, Success Is a Choice. The Celtics became his choice after he talked with team consultant Larry Bird and former team executive Dave Gavitt, who spoke highly of Gaston...
...Pitino will have his work cut out for him. "They won 15 games for a reason," he says of the 15-67 Celtics. "There were a lot of injuries, but also a lack of talent. The N.B.A. is a players' league, and talent prevails." The Celtics will have two first-round picks this year, and the coach is also hoping his style of play--movement on offense, pressure on defense--will attract free agents. His personal style is also winning. Pitino has been known to visit an elderly nun as a favor to a friend of a friend. He will...
Even the most casual fan will like having Pitino around next season, matching wits with Jackson and Pat Riley and Lenny Wilkens. Besides, the Celts have been away too long--1986 was their last title. "I can promise you that in the next few years, we will raise another championship banner," said Pitino. Everybody in Boston believes...