Pitino Gonna Pitino

[RuffRuff]

CHATGBT response to asking whether Pitino is a crooked coach:


ChatGPT said:
Rick Pitino is one of the most polarizing figures in college basketball history. While his coaching brilliance and tactical acumen are undeniable, his career has been marred by controversy. Whether you view him as a crooked, underhanded coach or simply a product of a deeply flawed system depends on perspective.

The Case for Pitino Being “Crooked”​

1. NCAA Violations & Scandals
   • Louisville Recruiting Scandal (2017): The FBI investigation into corruption in college basketball implicated Louisville in a pay-for-play scheme, where Adidas allegedly paid a recruit’s family. Though Pitino denied involvement, he was fired.
   • Escort Scandal (2015): A former assistant allegedly arranged for strippers and escorts to entertain recruits at Louisville. The NCAA vacated Louisville’s 2013 national title—the first time that had ever happened in modern NCAA history.
2. His Reputation in Recruiting
   • Critics argue that Pitino's programs have consistently operated in gray areas, pushing the boundaries of NCAA rules.
   • Even if he wasn’t directly involved in the Louisville scandals, his lack of control over his program contributed to its downfall.
3. The Boston Celtics & Other Controversies
   • Pitino's Celtics tenure (1997-2001) was a disaster, full of power struggles and front-office failures.
   • He has had strained relationships with administrators, media, and even fans at different points in his career.

---

The Case for Pitino as a Brilliant (but Flawed) Coach​

1. Unmatched Coaching Success
   • One of the greatest tacticians in college basketball, with two national titles (technically one, post-vacation) and Final Four appearances with three different schools (Providence, Kentucky, Louisville).
   • Master of rebuilding programs, bringing multiple teams back to national prominence.
2. No Direct Proof of Wrongdoing
   • Pitino has never been directly implicated in any major scandal—it was always assistants, boosters, or third-party actors who took the fall.
   • His defenders argue that in modern recruiting, top coaches operate in an environment where violations are rampant—he just happened to be the one who got caught.
3. Successful Comeback & Continued Influence
   • After his exile from the NCAA, he won a championship in Greece before returning to coach at Iona and now St. John’s.
   • Despite his past, he still commands immense respect in coaching circles.

---

Final Verdict: A Coaching Genius with a Shadowy Legacy​

Is Rick Pitino “crooked”? If you define that as bending or breaking rules to gain an advantage, then yes, his career is littered with scandals and NCAA violations. But if you see him as a legendary coach caught up in a corrupt system, then he’s no different from many others—just more scrutinized.
Either way, Pitino is a survivor, and his rivalry with Dan Hurley and UConn is only adding another compelling chapter to his storied career.

 

[RuffRuff]

if you've never stood on stage and been a stand-up comic, you're in no position to judge it.

I see what you did there.

 

[John]

CHATGBT response to asking whether Pitino is a crooked coach:


ChatGPT said:
Rick Pitino is one of the most polarizing figures in college basketball history. While his coaching brilliance and tactical acumen are undeniable, his career has been marred by controversy. Whether you view him as a crooked, underhanded coach or simply a product of a deeply flawed system depends on perspective.

The Case for Pitino Being “Crooked”​

1. NCAA Violations & Scandals
   • Louisville Recruiting Scandal (2017): The FBI investigation into corruption in college basketball implicated Louisville in a pay-for-play scheme, where Adidas allegedly paid a recruit’s family. Though Pitino denied involvement, he was fired.
   • Escort Scandal (2015): A former assistant allegedly arranged for strippers and escorts to entertain recruits at Louisville. The NCAA vacated Louisville’s 2013 national title—the first time that had ever happened in modern NCAA history.
2. His Reputation in Recruiting
   • Critics argue that Pitino's programs have consistently operated in gray areas, pushing the boundaries of NCAA rules.
   • Even if he wasn’t directly involved in the Louisville scandals, his lack of control over his program contributed to its downfall.
3. The Boston Celtics & Other Controversies
   • Pitino's Celtics tenure (1997-2001) was a disaster, full of power struggles and front-office failures.
   • He has had strained relationships with administrators, media, and even fans at different points in his career.

---

The Case for Pitino as a Brilliant (but Flawed) Coach​

1. Unmatched Coaching Success
   • One of the greatest tacticians in college basketball, with two national titles (technically one, post-vacation) and Final Four appearances with three different schools (Providence, Kentucky, Louisville).
   • Master of rebuilding programs, bringing multiple teams back to national prominence.
2. No Direct Proof of Wrongdoing
   • Pitino has never been directly implicated in any major scandal—it was always assistants, boosters, or third-party actors who took the fall.
   • His defenders argue that in modern recruiting, top coaches operate in an environment where violations are rampant—he just happened to be the one who got caught.
3. Successful Comeback & Continued Influence
   • After his exile from the NCAA, he won a championship in Greece before returning to coach at Iona and now St. John’s.
   • Despite his past, he still commands immense respect in coaching circles.

---

Final Verdict: A Coaching Genius with a Shadowy Legacy​

Is Rick Pitino “crooked”? If you define that as bending or breaking rules to gain an advantage, then yes, his career is littered with scandals and NCAA violations. But if you see him as a legendary coach caught up in a corrupt system, then he’s no different from many others—just more scrutinized.
Either way, Pitino is a survivor, and his rivalry with Dan Hurley and UConn is only adding another compelling chapter to his storied career.

Are you at least putting KY on Pitino's leg?

 

[Husky Alien]

Mr. Pitino must be geographically challenged.

 

[Devland]

Do they hookers travel on the team bus or do they have a seperare bus?

 

[RuffRuff]

Are you at least putting KY on Pitino's leg?

He prefers olive oil, evol if you want specifics.

 

[storrsroars]

I love it. Rick is poking the bear much like Geno did to Pat all those years ago. And Geno was called classless and disrespectful. It's great for the conference, the tourney, and Northeastern basketball.

 

[gtcam]

Remember - it was Ricky P who decided to pay Travis Knight an unheard of salary while HC/Pres of the Celtics and said that Knight was the center of the future in pro basketball.
I remember at the time saying to my buddy that I've never seen Shaq laugh so loud and called Pitino a colorful name.

 

[UCan3]

I took it as a dig.

yeah, such a minor one though really. And Rick is seventy years old. I'm going to give him a little bit of a senior runway for making comments like these

 

[gtcam]

If you can't appreciate trash talking as a great part of sports, then you have likely never played and have been watching on a TV your whole life. Cheater or not, it's fun, it's old school and great entertainment.

Couldn't agree more
Larry Bird was a master at talking trash - I remember sitting courtside in a Celtics game vs the 76ers and Bird and Doug Collins were going at it with each other and Bird was hilarious - he even had the 76ers laughing their arses off. At one point one of the Sixers said to Bird that he didn't have the guts to say something to The Round Mound of Rebounds face and Bird said outloud - that lazy fat arse wouldn't understand a word I said. Even the refs were smiling on that one.
After the game Collins and Bird acted like best friends.

 

[sdglast]

I love it. Rick is poking the bear much like Geno did to Pat all those years ago. And Geno was called classless and disrespectful. It's great for the conference, the tourney, and Northeastern basketball.

I agree. Pitino is a showman (beyond being a great coach) and loves ribbing Hurley. This isn't new, he was enjoying the media attention and the accolades while at Iona and seemed to the point of overconfidence going into the game against UConn in the tournament. I honestly believe he thought Iona would win and was shocked when UConn blew them out in the 2nd half. It drove him crazier when UConn beat him last year (again, I think he really thought he was going to win those games). In the end, the way to stick it to him is to beat him, and this year UConn couldn't do that. So he as a right to crow. I think it's great for the league. With that being said, I think deep down, he admires the program and how well it was built and has been carried on by Hurley. He doesn't seem to care much about the other Big East teams, as he knows UConn is still the big fish in the league with 6 National Championships. As an aside, I was glad UConn did not draw New Mexico--Pitino would have given his son every bit of scouting to defeat UConn in round 1. I suspect he isn't doing that to Marquette. In the end, I don't pay him much mind. I recognize his greatness as a coach, but he has the same amount of championships as Hurley and St. Johns is way in the rear view mirror as far as national championships go. I guess as they wave at Storrs on their ride, St. Johns fans can also glance at the sign noting our number of national championships and ponder that for the rest of their drive.

 

[prankster]

Without question, Pitino is getting older and on Saturday, I began to see something I can't get out of my head.

So now, you folks get to suffer as I now do.

Rick Pitino is starting to look more and more like Leo Schnauzer.

http://static.tvmaze.com/uploads/images/medium_portrait/24/60240.jpg

 

[Scrutineer]

Not bad. If St. John’s continues to get 7 figures plus so they can be good, they’ll be our rival. Their fanbase is insufferable though. Who knows if Pitino leaves after 3 years

If he has major financial backing to buy players there's no chance he'd leave NY. Why would he if he ca win there?

He's in his 70's, doesn't look particularly robust for someone as relatively young as he is, so he probably doesn't have too many more years of high pressure he'd be able to withstand.

He'll be king of NY if he can win a title and be at least a Duke or Prince if he just keeps doing well in the Big East.

 

[Scrutineer]

Villanova and Georgetown were there as well with St. Johns to represent the Big East along with Memphis State.

And BCU could have been there too, as unbelievable as that might seem today.

 

[JohnFSilver]

Good for Pitino. He loves beating Connecticut. Which makes Connecticut love beating him. lol.

I think ya gotta just enjoy the trolling.

 

[Scrutineer]

Pitino is easily Top 5 college coach of all time and great on the mic. Show the man some respect.

Isn't the respect he seeks found on restaurant tables?

 

[UCfor3]

All that means is he is insecure and jealous of UConn and their accomplishments. Someone else other than him had the spotlight for a minute. The new big boy on the block routine only works if you finish the job. Big East is nice but now he needs to back up his mouth with results in the big dance. Nice little year for them. They have a chance. I hope they get wiped off the floor by a 15 seed but Mike Jarvis made me despise them and Pitino, although an excellent coach, can kick rocks.

 

[superjohn]

All that means is he is insecure and jealous of UConn and their accomplishments. Someone else other than him had the spotlight for a minute. The new big boy on the block routine only works if you finish the job. Big East is nice but now he needs to back up his mouth with results in the big dance. Nice little year for them. They have a chance. I hope they get wiped off the floor by a 15 seed but Mike Jarvis made me despise them and Pitino, although an excellent coach, can kick rocks.

I hope they win the whole thing.

 

[HooperScooper]

Pitino should be more concerned with this

 

[UCfor3]

I hope they win the whole thing.

Have fun at the parade!

 

[temery]

CHATGBT response to asking whether Pitino is a crooked coach:

 

[Castlevania]

We live rent free in these peoples heads

 

[jibsey]

All that means is he is insecure and jealous of UConn and their accomplishments. Someone else other than him had the spotlight for a minute. The new big boy on the block routine only works if you finish the job. Big East is nice but now he needs to back up his mouth with results in the big dance. Nice little year for them. They have a chance. I hope they get wiped off the floor by a 15 seed but Mike Jarvis made me despise them and Pitino, although an excellent coach, can kick rocks.

Thank you.