Gary Parrish

Yeah, I know they pay coaches a ton of money in the NBA, but, first, it's not like Rick Pitino is paid peanuts by Louisville.  Secondly, he's already coached at the pro level.  The first time, with the Knicks, was fairly successful, but he's frenetic style did not suit the rigors of an 82 game regular season schedule, followed by playoffs which can add another 20-25 games to the wear and tear.  His second position, with the Celtics, was a certifiable disaster.  Not sure why he would want to even get close to repeated that type of gig.

There is something to be said about the argument that coaching in Sacramento would be vastly different than coaching in either New York or Boston.  The Kings are the only pro franchise in the city.  They are, without question, the top dog in the area.  Still, I don't see Pitino doing it, unless (1) he's REALLY sick of recruiting or (2) the wifey is putting her foot down and saying they have to leave Louisville.  I know of nothing to support #2, other than the recent story about Pitino allegedly having an affair with the woman who supposedly tried to extort him.  Most everything else I've heard or read indicates that Mrs. Pitino likes Louisville a lot.  If, however, she demanded that he leave, it wouldn't be the first time that a person would switch jobs for reasons that have very little to do with his actual job duties and responsibilities.  Quite often, family considerations play a role in these kind of decisions.

On the whole, however, I don't see him doing it.  He's only 57.  He can go out on his own terms at Louisville.  The chances of him retiring from coaching (when he actually wants to) as the coach of the Sacramento Kings are relatively small. 

I'm not even factoring in the ego thing (not wanting to look like he was running away from John Calipari and Kentucky).  If that part is true, that just makes it more unlikely, IMO.

I don't see it happening.

Pitino has already flamed out at the NBA level.  Why would he want to go back, but a better question is why would any NBA team want him?  He's a great college coach, not a great pro coach.  Besides, the Kings already tried one of his scrub assistants in Reggie Theus who absolutely sucked.  They hired him after just 2 yrs head coaching at crappy NMSU!  You'd think the Maloofs would be smarter considering how much money they've made but since most of it was inherited maybe they are stupid enough to hire Pitino.

Pitino needs to stay in the NCAA where he is a good coach and has a lot of success.

As a Kentucky die hrad, I can hardly say that this is hardly a surprise.  It was long ago when Pitino called Lexington his "Camelot" and bolted for Beantown shortly thereafter.  The "surrender" to Calipari may be a bit overblown, but I do feel that Pitino is a bit worried about Coach Cal's arrival.  That being said, Pitino will leave Lousiville lickity-split if the offer is right.  Pitino is known to talk out of both sides of his mouth; if you're the old an not the new I would be worried.

"you can trust this Pitino-to-the-Kings possibility is something he was told on authority (even if it's untrue) as opposed to something he just invented"

If someone in authority tells you something that isn't true, what do you do with that?  Don't you have a responsibility to figure out why that person lied to you and at least report that back to those who "accidentally" misinformed?  I'm not saying you should reveal your sources.  But at a minimum, shouldn't you at least do a follow-up explaining why this person in authority would have told you something that wasn't true?  Such as: while my source will not tell me why he gave me bad information, it is most likely that he was trying to pressure the Kings to pull the trigger on a coaching change.  That would add to the understanding of the story and would change the direction of the story back toward the facts.  For instance what if the explanation was instead: while my source will not tell me why he gave me bad information, it is possible that he is trying to help Louisville change the topic of conversation from Pitino's personal to professional circumstances.

What is a journalist's responsibility to their readers when he/she reports information that turns out to be false?

Pitino dont' leave the college ranks man, think back for a second and remember Boston bad memory huh, oh I know all too well im a Boston fan. Louisville is your place to make a nest and lay in it you are a great college coach. If things couldnt work in a very proud franchise like the Celtics what makes you think they would on the Kings bench. No offense to the Kings fans, you have a great town and rich owners but im just being honest here.
      P.S Pitino a late thank you for getting Paul Pierce in a robbery at the 10th pick, we appreciate it!

Gary,
  Don't be so down on your skin color.  This is 2009.  Get over it. This ain't the fifties anymore. You have the same rights as everyone else.