Burrell wasn't derailed. Lav played him correct. I'm happy
Think he played Evans correct? I don't. Then he needed him when DJ went down and he wasn't ready. Burrell's 6th man award was a joke. It was the 5th man role that was screwed up. Polee had no business starting.
Please recall the newspaper article which Evans' himself admitted he wasn't with Lavin's program at the beginnning and even had thoughts of leaving. That it was his fault he wasn't playing early on because he didn't buy in at the beginning. So, who held who back? Sounds like he held himself back and readily admits it.
As far as Burrell goes, inconsistent most of his career, there were games he came up big and others he disappeared. That was his career here. He was used properly and the results shows in the season we had.
College and Pro coaching is totally different. Pitino and Calapari could probably handle the X's and O's but handling Pro players, especially veterans was something neither were good at. Nor was Pitino any good handling Personnel matters (trades, free agent signings). In college ball, there is also dealing with the Alumni, the academic portion, recruiting and boosters. Just a different world. I have no doubt Phil Jackson could handle the X's and O's, but the athletes are at a different level and there are the other things I mentioned.
As mentioned by othe posters, we couldn't afford to not get it right. We wanted to be big time and big time college programs, don't normally hire people without any type of coaching experience. That is no slight on Mark who I wish well.