Several people believe that DA had been cleared to play and even reports were that he was doing full practices . But 3 stacks held him out so NBA would doubt his health thus falling in draft since Celtics had 2 first round pics that year Mercer went first and was hoping DA would fall to later first round but I think Denver picked him. Rick wanted Mercer and DA in Boston and he knew he was leaving before then tourny. Just put them pieces together and remember a sociopath was behind it. IT'S BELIEVABLE.
This is the stupidest conspiracy theory in UK history.
DA was only like two months removed from ACL reconstructive surgery at the time. No responsible doctor would
EVER clear a player to play that soon after an ACL reconstruction. Not a chance in hell. And Pitino would've been ripped mercilessly for selfishly and irresponsibly risking DA's health and future if he'd tried playing him that soon after ACL reconstruction. There was NEVER any chance DA was gonna play in that game. There's not a single coach anywhere that would've played him.
There are plenty valid reasons to dislike Pitino, but that is NOT one of them.