Rick Pitino is one huge contradiction.

Before you even say it, YES....I agree that it sounds like this guy is still a little butt-hurt over Pitino leaving Kentucky. I was butt-hurt back then too, because of the dynasty the man could have built here. However, my butt no longer smarts. That's not because of Orlando Tubby Smith, and surely not because of Billy Clyde Gillispie, but because of a combination of Slick Rick's true colors being shown over the years that have passed AND a certain new swagger and level of competitiveness brought back by a certain new coach. I wouldn't take 2011-Pitino back for all the money in the world. The only way I'd take 1996-Pitino back is if I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Honestly, I only hope that Calipari isn't setting my sphincter up for the same burning sensation down the road!

[URL]http://www.wildcatworld.com/?p=15205[/URL]

[QUOTE] [B]Rick Pitino is one huge contradiction[/B]

Posted On Thursday, September 29, 2011 by [URL="http://www.wildcatworld.com/?author=2"]Walter[/URL].

Rick Pitino recently went on a somewhat incomprehensible tirade in an interview with Adam Zagoria on Tuesday night about why Connecticut would be “dumb” to leave the Big East for the ACC. What’s odd about that? He had the nerve to talk about “leaving” as if he has any right to talk about leaving. In particular, he said, in reference to John Wooden and his great championship teams at UCLA: “ “Do you ever think [leaving the Pac-10] crossed his mind? No, when you’re a great winner, those things don’t cross your mind. The only thing that crosses your mind is the ability to win a championship and carry on the great tradition you’ve built.” Really Rick? Did you use that same reasoning when you left Kentucky for a multi-million dollar contract in the NBA? Was winning championships and carrying on the great tradition you began at Kentucky the forefront of your mind then? Don’t think so. In his defense, he did admit his biggest mistake in life was when he left Camelot [Kentucky] to lead the Boston Celtics. That does not give him the right to question the judgment of the UConn administration for wanting to leave the Big East for what they believe is a more desirable situation.
[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=MrSplitshot;467405]Before you even say it, YES....I agree that it sounds like this guy is still a little butt-hurt over Pitino leaving Kentucky. I was butt-hurt back then too, because of the dynasty the man could have built here. However, my butt no longer smarts. That's not because of Orlando Tubby Smith, and surely not because of Billy Clyde Gillispie, but because of a combination of Slick Rick's true colors being shown over the years that have passed AND a certain new swagger and level of competitiveness brought back by a certain new coach. I wouldn't take 2011-Pitino back for all the money in the world. The only way I'd take 1996-Pitino back is if I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Honestly, I only hope that Calipari isn't setting my sphincter up for the same burning sensation down the road!

[URL]http://www.wildcatworld.com/?p=15205[/URL][/QUOTE]

Don't worry Brian about Calipari setting us all up for the sphincter burning. Even if it doesn't come, some Louisville fans will make up stuff and post it to try and win a debate.

Pitino made the biggest mistake of his life and one of the biggest mistakes in ANY basketball coaches life when he left UK. I have said this before and will say it again. Kentucky, the greatest Basketball program in America, with the most loyal fan base in all parts of the world. A fan base that travels so much to NCAA sites that I believe it is one of the reasons Kentucky gets placed in certain regions. Cat-Lanta, Rupp Arena South and other names are placed on cities and Arenas because of the number of BIG BLUE fans in attendance. Pitino had brought Kentucky back to the title in 1996 and a Nazr Mohammad free throw ( I think he was 0-125 against Arizona) or playing Derrick Anderson in winning the 1997 title from probation. I believe there were 10 players from the 1996 team that went on to play in the NBA. Kids were lining up to come and play for Pitino. He would have been a GOD and had no telling how many championships by now. But he chose to take his EGO to Boston where he laid some Shamrocks then comes back to the very state that supported him the most. I think he thought he was so good that he could turn Louisville into the team of the Bluegrass State. So he meets a woman in a restaurant, has sex with her that night at the restaurant, then again in a couple of weeks, she ends up pregnanat and Pitino pays for the abortion. I guess we know where Ricky P stands on the side of the Abortion question. Any parent that would give their blessing for a kid to play for Pitino and his questionable morals should have their head examined. Any kid coming to play for Pitino has no morals himself. Pitino wishes he was back at UK. Pitino wishes Calipari would stop recruiting Number 1 classes and making it to the Elite 8 and Final 4. Pitino wishes his image outside of Louisville, where I knew Blinders were put on horses at Churchill Downs and obviously their fans as well, was different and if Joanne and anyone else thinks Karen Sypher was the first and last needs their heads examined as well. Pitino is a JOKE

I couldn't agree with you guys more on Pitino...

Heck even Indiana has made it to the Championship more times than Pitino's new team has, and he was supposed to be the New Coming of the Messiah for U of L.....Cough cough cough....choke choke......:D

I have listened to some of his motivational stuff and they guy can preach it! He is just like another man out there with his own personal issues and vices.

I don't place him or any man on a pedestal to be admired......so I'm not so disappointed in what he does or has done or will do. Correction.....Only man I ever admired to the point of pondering how he would handle a situation or wanting to impress him or wanting to be like him was my Dad. God rest his soul. Not one person man or woman has said anything but great things about him. He was a good husband, father and friend. The fellas I know on here prolly say the same about their Dad. That's the people to admire.

Ricky P. Is a coach with a lot of money who has the gift of gab. He is a man first I bet he puts his pants on the same as me and you. That's all he is. JMHO

Btw.....I know the article wasn't a love festival for the guy but I'm just saying in general that the sports community has to have a hero or super star and while I watch it and appreciate the talent I don't go over the top with it. It's just silly to me.