Fantastic Fibber: Rick Pitino's 4 Greatest Lies
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"Would you enjoy another serving of Bullcrap?"[/caption]
When news broke last night that Gorgui Deing would indeed be facing off against the Cats this Saturday the number of surprised faces matched that of the number of sanitary upscale Italian restaurants in Louisville. Which is to say zero. Yes, it was merely another scheme of the master manipulator and head game player Rick Pitino who probably knew weeks ago his star center would be back just in time. The move comes as no shock since over the years Pitino has proven to be as reliable as Apple Maps, whatever he says: do the opposite. Pitino has told some good tales over the years so picking four doesn't come easy, why four? Simple, since we last stomped the Cards in the Final Four of course:
4. "Chane Behanan is my best freshman since Jamal Mashurn"
So last year the mighty Cardinals squared off against the college formerly known as Pikeville in an early exhibition. In that game knucklehead Chane Behanan scored 16 points against the NAIA foes which prompted his coach to say he was his best freshman since Monster Mash laced them up in Lexington. So maybe this one isn't a lie. Maybe Rick Pitino really does believe that Chane is the better than guys like Ron Mercer or Antoine Walker. Maybe Behanan is better than Pitino proclaimed "best freshman I've ever coached" Samardo Samuels. But deep down you know Pitino doesn't even buy the crap he's selling. Chalk this one up to yet another patented Rick hyperbole. Point Blank. Period.
3."Gorgui Dieng will not play against Kentucky"
With so many of these over the years how can you narrow the list to just one. Gorgui's return makes the list for being the most recent however this list could have included guys like David Padgett or Marvin Stone. You know the ones who always get the clean bill of health shortly before the biggest rivalry game in all the land. Basically unless a Card is on his deathbed or crutches don't count him out against the Cats. Then again it could all be just another elaborate ruse concocted by Tricky Rick.
2. "I will love you and honor you all the days of my life"
Look, I get it, this horse has been beaten and rode into the ground over the past couple of years. But enough about Karen Sypher. Rick did irreversible damage to his image with this scandal as he broke his vows to his wife. He then went on to deny any wrong doing before everything was revealed in the court of law. A two for one lie combo.
1. "There is no amount of money that could make me leave for the Celtics"
I find it hard to fathom that there was a time that Rick Pitino was as beloved in the commonwealth as Coach Cal is now. Pitino was a hero who rode into town and restored the Kentucky program to its former glory. Why would he ever want to leave for the NBA? The foundation was set for a new era of basketball dominance. Yet, that's exactly what happened. Pitino left for the big dollars and big cities of the NBA but not before telling everybody from grandma to Michael Bradley he wasn't going anywhere. Lying about a player's attributes or an injury at least is a strategy and can be forgiven. Lying to an entire state. Now that's unforgivable.
Any I missed? @ACassady_KSR
"Would you enjoy another serving of Bullcrap?"[/caption]
When news broke last night that Gorgui Deing would indeed be facing off against the Cats this Saturday the number of surprised faces matched that of the number of sanitary upscale Italian restaurants in Louisville. Which is to say zero. Yes, it was merely another scheme of the master manipulator and head game player Rick Pitino who probably knew weeks ago his star center would be back just in time. The move comes as no shock since over the years Pitino has proven to be as reliable as Apple Maps, whatever he says: do the opposite. Pitino has told some good tales over the years so picking four doesn't come easy, why four? Simple, since we last stomped the Cards in the Final Four of course:
4. "Chane Behanan is my best freshman since Jamal Mashurn"
So last year the mighty Cardinals squared off against the college formerly known as Pikeville in an early exhibition. In that game knucklehead Chane Behanan scored 16 points against the NAIA foes which prompted his coach to say he was his best freshman since Monster Mash laced them up in Lexington. So maybe this one isn't a lie. Maybe Rick Pitino really does believe that Chane is the better than guys like Ron Mercer or Antoine Walker. Maybe Behanan is better than Pitino proclaimed "best freshman I've ever coached" Samardo Samuels. But deep down you know Pitino doesn't even buy the crap he's selling. Chalk this one up to yet another patented Rick hyperbole. Point Blank. Period.
3."Gorgui Dieng will not play against Kentucky"
With so many of these over the years how can you narrow the list to just one. Gorgui's return makes the list for being the most recent however this list could have included guys like David Padgett or Marvin Stone. You know the ones who always get the clean bill of health shortly before the biggest rivalry game in all the land. Basically unless a Card is on his deathbed or crutches don't count him out against the Cats. Then again it could all be just another elaborate ruse concocted by Tricky Rick.
2. "I will love you and honor you all the days of my life"
Look, I get it, this horse has been beaten and rode into the ground over the past couple of years. But enough about Karen Sypher. Rick did irreversible damage to his image with this scandal as he broke his vows to his wife. He then went on to deny any wrong doing before everything was revealed in the court of law. A two for one lie combo.
1. "There is no amount of money that could make me leave for the Celtics"
I find it hard to fathom that there was a time that Rick Pitino was as beloved in the commonwealth as Coach Cal is now. Pitino was a hero who rode into town and restored the Kentucky program to its former glory. Why would he ever want to leave for the NBA? The foundation was set for a new era of basketball dominance. Yet, that's exactly what happened. Pitino left for the big dollars and big cities of the NBA but not before telling everybody from grandma to Michael Bradley he wasn't going anywhere. Lying about a player's attributes or an injury at least is a strategy and can be forgiven. Lying to an entire state. Now that's unforgivable.
Any I missed? @ACassady_KSR
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