NBA legend Rick Pitino was forced to change his phone number after lip reading fans got hold of it after he was seen mouthing it while having a conversation at Madison Square Garden.
Pitino was watching the New York Knicks’ Game Four of the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 70-year-old is regarded as one of the best coaches of all time, with a career of 40 years-plus in basketball, taking charge of college, NBA and international teams.
And Pitino, who’s now the coach of St John’s University, was back at the Garden to cheer on the Knicks, who he coached during two separate spells during the 80s - as an assistant between 1983-85 and then as coach in 1987-89, against the Cavaliers.
The Garden was, of course, filled with stars such as Ben Stiller and the actor’s wife, Christine Taylor. Tracy Morgan was also at the game draped from head to toe in Knicks gear, as was Jon Stewart. Stiller’s Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian co-star, and Simpsons legend Hank Azaria also appeared on TV.
But as Pitino was shown on screen talking to someone, he was in camera shot at the wrong time as fans were able to lip read him giving his phone number out - which he has now been forced to change.
Pitino was inundated with messages. In fact, he says he received over 300, with the overwhelming majority positive.
“So yesterday I was enjoying the Knicks game n someone read my lips on TV giving out my phone number,” Pitino tweeted. “Over 300 plus messages came in - here’s the bizarre news, 95% were nice n positive. I got a lead on 7 new recruits. My new cell is…..”
The Knicks went on to take a 3-1 lead in their playoff series with the Cavaliers, recording a 102-93 win on the night. The Big Apple-based NBA franchise are now within one win from advancing to the second round.
Pitino will undoubtedly be back in MSG as the Knicks’ postseason rumbles on. However, the coach will most definitely be more vigilant when handing out private information, with cameras likely to land on him again, being a popular figure in those neck of the woods.
