Re: Pitino and Billups

["smishra" <smishra@ix.netcom.com>]

From: Roy Enrile <renrile@qualcomm.com>

>Then there was the going back on verbal agreements w/ Fox and Radja.
>And the statement that he was not leaving Kentucky.

I am not aware if Pitino had any agreement with Fox or Radja. Radja in
particular created enough drama on being traded had he gone to Philly
quietly the Celts would have benefitted immensely.

>Finally, all of Pitino's hype about Dee in the beginning(stuff like "Dee is
as professional a person
 as I've been around"), then not giving him playing time.  Then philly
confirms trade talks w/ Dee and Derek Coleman, and Pitino denies it. First,
I don't see Dee as carrying himself like the most professional guys in the
league(example Dumars).  Second, it seems like Pitino unethically hypes up
players even if he doesn't really want them(on Dino he said something like
"Any guy who shoots 20 + 10 bds will do great in my system").

Pitino is trying the best he can, with a team that was 15-67 with nobody but
walker having any trade value. By saying good things about players, he has
got them to be at-least in good shape <Ellison has played 16 continuous
games including pre-season><Dee is trying><Dana is trying to play defense>.
Regarding playing time I think it's obvious that Dee is not the starter, but
if he peforms well when he is put in, he will get his time <like in today's
game>.

>So I'm not in favor of a coach who "throws it all out and stands alone as
one who will do anything to win".  You don't see Jerry West treating players
like that.

Jerry West was not given 15-67 team to manage with a bunch of untradable
players, so guess what, we will never know the answer. Let Pitino get his
type of players, he will then have no reason to play such mind games.
                                                                          -
Mishra