Why All The Hate for Rick Pitino?

Storyline: Everyone clad in Blue despises Rick Pitino. Why? It’s because of a series of events that started in 1992.

Being a Kentucky fan, you are told to do one thing in particular: hate Rick Pitino with a passion. It’s the hatred that has become a permanent part of Kentuckian society; and it’s something that Wildcat parents hope to pass on to the next generation.

The hatred extends from every corner of the state, from Kentucky Bend to Black Mountain. Everyone clad in blue despises Rick Pitino. Why? It’s not like an entire group of people can so passionately hate someone without good reason. The truth is this: it’s because of a series of events that started way back in 1992.

The Laettner Shot

Courtesy: projectshanks.com

The Laettner Shot is one of the most famous plays in the history of college basketball. Duke’s Christian Laettner hit a turnaround, mid-range jumper as time expired to cap of a perfect game and a 104-103 double overtime victory over Kentucky.

Initially Pitino was not really blamed for the play but, as people looked back, he would soon become the scapegoat. The main reason is the way he played the play: he did not put a UK player on the ball, which allowed Grant Hill to make the improbable pass. And he told his players to allow Laettner to catch the ball–as he was afraid of a foul being called.

The rest is, well, history. The way Pitino played that final play is, in my opinion, one of the biggest blunders a coach has made in the history of the sport.

He’s the Benedict Arnold of College Basketball

Benedict Arnold was a general in the Revolutionary War. Arnold, who was initially on the colonists’ side, defected to the British army in the middle of the war. Well, Rick Pitino has become the Benedict Arnold of college basketball.
After the 1997 season Pitino decided to leave UK and pursue a coaching career with the Boston Celtics. Four years later–after a bad pro experience–Patino decided to return to college basketball.

Courtesy: kentuckysportsradio.com

Out of the 347 Division I schools Pitino couldn’t have chosen a worse school for UK fans than the one he did: Louisville. Obviously, Kentucky fans were upset when that happened, but the irritation would get worse in the following years. Kentucky experienced rough patches–the decline of Tubby Smith’s career and Billy Gillespie’s epic failure.

To make matters worse, with Pitino at Louisville the Cardinals were winning, the Cats were not. And that’s the difference between Pitino and Benedict Arnold. Unlike Arnold, who obviously would go on to lose the war, Pitino is still very much in one of the fiercest wars in the sports world today: The Bluegrass War.

Obscene Gesture

A few weeks ago #16 Louisville and #12 Kentucky met at Rupp Arena in the annual Battle for the Bluegrass. The Wildcats had control for almost the whole game and led by as many as 16 points. Then the Cardinals rallied all the way back to have a chance to win the game. Damion Lee missed a step-back three as time expired and the ‘Cats won.

Courtesy: whas11.com

Rick Pitino was devastated. Once again he had fallen to John Calipari. As the Cardinals made the walk of shame to the locker room a heckler in the crowd commented on his poor record against Calipari: “1-8, Rick!” In response Pitino did an upward stretch of the digitus medius (aka middle finger).

Talk about a lot of class! But, after making the obscene gesture, Pitino denied that he ever did it–even though it the act was caught on tape. This incident just proved that he’s the same even after the Sypher incident. In that matter Pitino first denied, then admitted, to having sex with Karen Sypher. He also paid for an abortion. Perhaps seven years from now that Wildcat fan can finally expect an apology from Pitino–as that seems to be the Rick Pitino way.

The Sex Scandal

Courtesy: courier-journal.com

Just a few days ago UL announced that it will not play in this year’s postseason, including the ACC, NCAA, and NIT tournaments. Louisville has been under the magnifying glass since a book by Katrina Powell came out. Powell, a former escort, described her many escapades with the Cardinals basketball team. Powell said that recruits/players had received private dances and/or sex from escorts. Powell has pictures to prove her allegations. However, what remains a mystery is who knew that all of this was happening

Pitino has denied knowledge of anything. However, can we believe someone who cheats on his wife and tries to buy someone’s silence (Sypher), as well as someone who makes an obscene gesture towards an innocent fan and then denies it?

I almost feel sorry for Pitino. The Powell incident has added more fuel to the blazing fire that is the hatred of Rick Pitino.