So, your position is you have so much gratitude for what he did from 1989 to 1997 that there is absolutely nothing he can do or say about UK that would cause you to question your opinion of him. I find that remarkable.
First, we are not some school that had fleeting success, lost it, then against all odds Pitino comes along to save us. 5 different coaches here have national titles, and we are ranked in the top 10 in wins and in winning percentage every decade since the 1940s, the only school that can make that claim. The point is, we would eventually have come back from the late 80s mess, the fan base would have demanded it. At most, Pitino simply accelerated that comeback. BTW, the more time passes and the more dominant we are, and the longer his record at uofl pales in comparison to what he did at uk, the more it seems uk made Rick, rather than the other way, which was debated for a long while.
Second, if all Pitino had done "to UK" was take a job at its rival, I could see your position. Would disagree, but could see it. But that's not all he's done. He flipped us off yesterday - is there a better way to show lack of respect? He doesn't like us - he hates the fans, and "detests" our coach (per Pitino buddy Forde yesterday, and he would know). He said just yesterday he hates losing, but he especially hates losing to UK. Why do you think that is - love for us? What do you think he tells recruits about Cal and the UK fan base? Why do you think Cal dislikes him so?
Bottom line, he despises you. You're romanticizing a period to an extent that you excuse him crapping on you. Really doesn't add up.