O’Brien Rights the Ship

Following a 12-22 start to the season, Rick Pitino resigned his positions with the Celtics and longtime assistant Jim O’Brien took over the role of head coach. Under no illusions that things would turn around quickly, star player Paul Pierce said, “I think the guys look at it like a fresh start. It was like starting over, I think I see a different kind of attitude.” The Celtics did respond to their fresh start, improving by winning 24 of the remaining 48 games of the 2000-01 season.