And yes, I agree with everything you said here. Hubris is likely the driving force behind this. There is absolutely no other justification for failing to suspend Jennings and Smith that makes sense. Like you said, even a token couple of games – exhibition games – would make sense and show the world that there are actual consequences to actions.

The problem I have is that, if this kid (who may be a good kid) can get so pissed that he fights w/ cops, or so blind w/ rage that he’s not recognizing that they are cops, or felt so entitled that he could challenge the POLICE, in a crowded place. It’s like challenging your boss, in front of your coworkers. They will have to react. So it’s an actual problem, Rick.

Another problem I have is that they were arrested. You don’t get arrested & not suspended. It doesn’t matter what the arrest is for. If had been caught w/ a pinch of weed, he would be suspended. Let alone an arrest for violent behavior. There is almost (or there should be) an obligation to punish w/ suspension, ridiculous behavior like this.

& the other kid is guilty too. I don’t mean court room guilty, necessarily, but he certainly prevented the cops from doing their jobs. You get arrested for that. & what is the value in resisting arrest? That officially ends well 0% of the time. I can see being pissed, even mouthy, but someone getting physical w/ the cops is someone losing their self control. & that’ s justifiably punishable. The poster mentioned that this wasn’t sticking up for your buddy, on the court. This is he real world.

So what message is Pitino sending w/ his choice of handling this.., however he’s handling it. & how is he handling it exactly? The question I have is, had this been any other year for Pitino, would these kids have been suspended? & I think the answer is yes, absolutely. It’s behavior that warrants suspension. I think what we’re seeing is Pitino feels backed into a corner by the other scandal, & feels assaulted by the world @ large, & he’s going to bunker down w/ his team & concentrate on basketball.

Trouble is, his scandal deserved attention. His reaction to the scandal’s attention made him a clown. His players’ arrests deserve suspensions. The expression, for those of us on planet earth, has always been “When it rains, it pours”. A number of negative things happening in succession. A common occurrence. I’m not saying it doesn’t suck, for Pitino, but you know what, take your lumps. Rick you’ve been very fortunate, & you’ve slipped of late. Own it. Own it & keep your mouth shut & let it pass.

Instead Pitino has wagged his finger @ the public & the media. Invoked the war & the economy & some other ridiculous things. He’s told us this is the best year of his life. He’s not going to suspend these kids(?). Crazy. It’s hubris. Someone close to Pitino needs to grab him by the ears & shake some sense into him. Pitino is the Kanye West of the College Basketball world. @ some point Pitino has had to come across the negative reaction to his actions. He’s had to have heard somebody saying what a buffoon he’s been. Wouldn’t you just change tactics? He’s a coach, they improvise & adapt. They don’t plod along into walls.

It is strange though. The same sort of thing can be said of Kanye West. & Roger Clemmens. & probably plenty of other celebrated people. I think it happens slowly. Everyone, for the most part, comes from humble roots. You get a taste of being coddled & it’s great. But you stay grounded. Time passes & the coddling continues. IT begins to become your reality, if you’re not careful. So your interpretation of how grounded you are skews slowly over time. & before you know it you’re acting like a spoiled little kid, holding his breath & stamping his feet.

If Rick Pitino wants things to go back to normal he needs to get over himself & keep his mouth shut — & adequately discipline his unruly players. B/c as much as the public loves to see famous people squirm, we have a short memory. Ask Brittany Spears. We love her again, right..?

Actually, the bigger issue for me is Pitino not even sitting them for one game (even an exh. game). Even if he’s running them to death, it shows discipline from a PR perspective to sit them down for a while.

Slick Rick never manages to top himself. Great find on the prosecutor-Louisville connection.