Rick Pitino Calls Greek Fans 'Selfish' for Smoking in Arena During Games

"No smoking" is the sum total of a sign that's present inside almost every public venue across the U.S. It's a rule that most Americans have learned to follow. If you need a smoke break, you exit the building and re-enter whenever you've finished. Simple. A common courtesy for others. But this isn't the case in other countries around the world.

Ever since former men's college basketball coach Rick Pitino was forced out of his head position at the University of Louisville due to recruiting scandals, he has been coaching overseas in the Greek League. And according to Pitino, Greece is not nearly as strict about smoking, and that's a problem.

In fact, spectators tend to smoke in the arenas. Yes. You read correctly. Fans smoke in the arenas during basketball games while players are on the court playing.

Despite his team's success in the league, Pitino is absolutely outraged, calling the smokers "self-centered and selfish" before claiming that they are "blowing their brains out".

Pitino is not exactly tactful with his message, but in this case, there's no need. Greece has one of the highest percentage of smokers in the EU, with a whopping 27%. Heck, even Pitino's team owner can be seen smoking.

Pitino, for all his wild man tendencies, makes a very valid point here. The people want to see good basketball, but at the same time are hurting the guys on the floor by filling the arena air with smoke. There's no way that any player can perform their best in those conditions.

If you respect the game and the players, just take a quick step outside to the tunnels to do what you need to do. Simple.