Ray Allen Expains Why He Chose UConn Over UK
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Figures. Pitino cost UK a guy who would have gone down as our best shooting guard ever.
You know, I never really thought about it before, but now that Ray Allen points it out I can see how that oppressive, all-consuming, obnoxious, relentless, insufferable egomania of Pitino's could turn some people off.
Crazy how stuff like this slipped through the cracks in the 90's. Imagine if a recruit said similar about a coach now. Ray laid into Pitino!
Pretty sure UK already had a commitment from Jeff Shepherd when Allen committed to UConn, which was late in the spring, IIRC.
In fairness, I'm pretty happy with the guy that started at shooting guard instead during those years--fella by the name of Delk, I assume you've heard of him.
This video would sting a lot more if we'd had crappy wings during Allen's college years, but not so much when I remember that those are the years when we had Tony Delk, Derek Anderson, Jeff Sheppard and Ron Mercer.
I was thinking the same thing. It would be all over the Internet if a top recruit called out a coach like this today. Back in the '90s, seems like no one noticed.
That megalomaniacal, "I'm king of the world" sort of air that Pitino had about himself during that era at times was also one of his assets. Might have cost us Ray Allen, but he sure did do well in who he did get for us during his tenure here. Sure, it's easy to hate on Rick these days - most megalomaniacs (I guess they prefer to refer to them as "narcissists" these days) eventually tumble and take a pretty rough fall before their ride is over and Rick is not an exception. But it's also easy for me to slip back into 20/21 yr. old me and remember how amazing the ride he took us on seemed at that time after our program took such a hit with Sutton. Damn near 2 championships with Rick and almost 3 in a ROW taking into consideration the '98 title as well. That's BIG TIME for any program.
Wow, never knew he was considering us. In those days, we didn't have all the internet recruiting info. Would've been crazy!
I absolutely agree with Mik. 90% of the successful salespeople I see piss me off, but that doesn't keep them from scoring with the people who like their arrogance. By the way I'm pretty sure that Shane Battier also said that he rejected UK because Pitino was too aggressive, but that obviously didn't destroy the program.
It was a great run with great talent. But it was bout 20 long years ago. Coach Cal has more then surpassed anything Traitor Dicktino did for us with his six year run. And I am thankful for that. He's history.
The biggest reason why most all those recruits went elsewhere was because he was flirting with the nba every year. Pitino was talking to teams for several years in a row trying to get a sweetheart deal. He did get one and left for Boston.
I actually talked to some coaches and they said it was easy to recruit against UK because every year apitino was talking to nba teams. It was well known he was looking to get back in the nba and recruits want a coach who is going to be their during their time.
I actually talked to some coaches and they said it was easy to recruit against UK because every year apitino was talking to nba teams. It was well known he was looking to get back in the nba and recruits want a coach who is going to be their during their time.
This and because of Rick's ego was why I was actually glad he left. IMHO he had reached his peak at UK-maybe not with players but with his snake oil pitch-and players deserved to have a honest answer from the coach about him staying. IMHO(again-lol) I still think part of why Rick flirted with the NBA every year so all the UK fans would just beg him to return and tell him how great he was and the program would fail if he left.
I thought Pitino "put off" Avery, didn't think Brand was every that interested because of the pressing style
regarding Allen, I think Pitino was also after Charles O'Bannon & another guy from the DC area at that time........think Allen was the 3rd choice & he turned out to be best of the group
The funny thing is, didn't Pitino actually write a book about being humble or some crap like that?
Gosh, I bet we would have won a title with Ray Allen on the team
Isn't what we call swag now what we called arrogance back in the 90's?
Some kids get on board with what UK is all about, others don't.
Given Pitino's track record at UK, Allen's comments don't mean much to me - however I will admit, near the end, I think Pitino just got to the point where he kept everyone at arms length. Whether that was because the program was all consuming or he believed his press clippings I don't know.
It took him leaving and failing miserably to appreciate what he had. I bet he wouldn't have done that with Allen had he come back to coach UK after his time in Boston
Some kids get on board with what UK is all about, others don't.
Given Pitino's track record at UK, Allen's comments don't mean much to me - however I will admit, near the end, I think Pitino just got to the point where he kept everyone at arms length. Whether that was because the program was all consuming or he believed his press clippings I don't know.
It took him leaving and failing miserably to appreciate what he had. I bet he wouldn't have done that with Allen had he come back to coach UK after his time in Boston
I guess it was P1T1= Pitino first Then every 1 else. It's like bringing a hot girl back to your place and she's sitting on the love seat and you're sitting in a recliner. Then after she leaves wonder why she wasn't feeling you.
Charles O'Bannon was the year after Allen. Came down to UK and UCLA. Guy was from L.A. and had a brother on that team. Seemed like a waste of recruiting time and resources.
Yep, my mistake. Still seems like a wasted recruitment.
I think the guy from the DC area was Keith Booth.
I think the guy from the DC area was Keith Booth.
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No surprise to any of us is it that Pitino's ego cost him some recruits. The program was in shambles when Rick took over, and that's what we needed, someone who could be bigger than the program. I'll always hold his going to UL against him, but it's pretty clear he had a great run at UK, and did great things for UK's basketball program. He took us from arguably our lowest point back to the very top. I'll always respect him for that. Those of you who didn't live through the debacle of the late 80's may find it hard to understand just how low we sunk under Sutton. Now that's the guy I'll never respect.
....and like clock work KSR poaches another story from this board. I know that no one here owns these stories but its like shooting fish in a barrel for those guys. You'd think they would be able to go out and find stuff like this.
And I love EM for it . Especially if it's premium information. LONG LIVE KSR . Most people must share my opinion, since it is the no.1 rated show in Kentucky !
Don't get me wrong I enjoy the show and website as well. They definitely have the most entertaining UK sports talk show, which is why I think they have so many listeners. It just comes off as lazy when I go listen to the podcast or hit their site to find information that has already been shared here.
