After becoming the only coach in NCAA history to lead three different teams to the Final Four and 2 stints as an NBA head coach, future Hall of Famer and current Louisville Cardinals head man Rick Pitino certainly is a well respected authority on basketball talent. So, in other words, when Mr Pitino compares a current player on his Cardinals roster to one of the all time NBA greats, we should probably take notice.
In a recent preseason interview, Pitino spoke to the media concerning the prospects for the upcoming season, injured guard Luke Hancock’s progress, and his top players Peyton Siva and Chane Behanan.
While we know Rick is always good for an amazing and sometimes controversial comment, he was relatively bland in reporting that Hancock would be ready in 2 weeks and his squad is preparing to challenge for another Big East Conference crown.
But it was rather surprising to hear Rick compare promising sophomore forward Chane Behanan to 11 time NBA All Star Charles Barkley. After all, Behanan has only played 40 games at the collegiate level, averaging a respectable 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds while Barkley is a one time league MVP, Olympic Gold Medalist, and is a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team.
Pitino thinks that the undersized power forward(6-5) can make the same type of impact as Chuck, especially when it comes to crashing the boards with more experience and a dedication to the sport. Despite some off the court issues, Behanan was in double figures in every game in the 2012 NCAA Tournament and nearly posted a double-double against Kentucky in the National Semifinals.
Check out Pitino’s Comments comparing Behanan To Barkley:
“He’s the first guy I’ve seen that reminds me of Charles Barkley since I’ve been coaching,” Pitino said. “They are both undersized, both can really rebound the ball. Chane has tree-trunk legs, but is extremely light on his feet.””If he doesn’t get distracted, and puts basketball at number one, he can be as good as it gets. He’s much better than I thought he was as a player. He’s got so much natural ability, but doesn’t take it seriously enough. If he approached it like Peyton Siva, this young man has greatness.”
It looks as if Pitino is clearly trying to light a fire under his talented forward, something he’s known for. Rick also went on to compare PG Peyton Siva to one of his former stars at point guard, current Florida head coach Billy Donovan, whom once helped Pitino guide the Providence Friars to the Final Four in 1987.
Known for his thunderous rim rattling dunks, Behenan along with a talented core of returning players like big man Gorgui Dieng, Siva, Wayne Blackshear, and Russ Smith should be one of the favorites for the Big East crown and are potential National Championship contenders. Pitino has a way of getting the most out of his players, one way is taking his players to task that have been underperforming. Guess it is Behanan’s turn……
Check out Some Chane Behanan Highlights in his Freshman Season:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
