To say Rick Pitino is among the less popular coaches and team presidents in Boston Celtics history is something of an understatement. But when it came to his role at the helm of the franchise, he took his job seriously. Some may argue too seriously, but when it comes to knowing when to step away, Pitino had it right — and for the right reasons.
“All I would be doing if I stayed at that point is trying to take Paul Gaston’s money,” explained the man himself in an interview with ESPN in 2001 at the time he chose to finally move on from the Celtics. “If I don’t see a major difference in our ball club and we’re still struggling, I think enough’s enough. What I will do is just go on and try my next job and wish everybody well.”
