Here is everybody's all time favorite basketball coach, Rick Pitino, on Thursday.
If you don't have 35 minutes to watch, check out the main bullet-points below.
He talks a lot about the new faster pace. The 24 second shot clock. And the team has to get past half-court in 3 seconds.
Rick said Terrence Jennings will be here 4 years. So he jokingly said he's not expected to be here longer than one more year (referencing Samardo).
75%-85% man defense.
"You're really gonna like [the faster play] a lot".
Swop will be back around Dec. 1, hopefully.
There will be more leeway when players make errors this year due to smaller bench. This means Siva won't get yanked every other play.
"This team interacts very well with each other."
Jeremy Hazell is still in college? Holy Moly! How long has he been there?
"We'll force them [opponents] to play this way. They're gonna have to beat us at this style" That means no more game-planning to change to accommodate other teams. They're gonna accommodate to us.
"Our main focus is to make a steal."
The bullet is backing up Siva.
"This is the most 'together' team we've had in a long time."
I've learned to take this comment with a grain of salt over the years.
"I want them to learn the style this [bridge] year so that next year they're veterans at it."
Gorgui Dieng is now a waiting game.
This style of play is difficult on Chris Smith because he likes to dribble a lot. He's very athletic though.
Mike Marra didn't shoot well because he was a freshman. He's "a very good passer". He's going to be like O'Bannon in the sense that he's going to get a lot better each year. He's not going to 'Wow' you immediately.
Preston got a different perspective on life during community service. Preston needs to keep the weight down to be successful.
He's taking a year off from his 'Coaches Show' with Terry.
"I'm probably more fired up than I've ever been."
"I'm out more [recruiting] than any other time in my life"
He says he needs to be out recruiting more because the competition is so much higher. Less on player development due to all the recruiting.
Getting rid of the July period of recruiting evaluation is the most ridiculous thing Rick's ever heard of. Believe this, because Rick never exaggerates.~
See what I did there ^
LISTEN UP:
On recruiting kids with checkered pasts...
"The most important thing is finding the truth. You can't pass judgement without finding the truth." He's passed on kids like that. You've got to look them in the eye and find the truth. He says he's not against giving people second chances, as long as he's sure it doesn't happen again. Go to like 27 minutes to listen to this part.
Rick doesn't like parenting in America today. He criticizes parents for the way they raise kids. He feels like part of his job now is parenting.
"You'll be impressed with how hard [the players] work [this season]."
That's pretty much it. We aren't going to dominate this year, but I guarantee you it will be fun to watch.
