Where Is This Coming From?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
smklin
Sorry jim, im going to have to side at least partially with wheat on this one. While a lot of those big men did in fact develop, i would argue that it was not the result of k pouring into them. i think that for a lot of those guys, it was the result of being around for four years, learning the college game, and putting on muscle. and as far as shelden williams goes, it was well-known that he had a great relationship with wojo, so that's why he improved so drastically.
while i think the "duke doesn't develop big men" gets overplayed, i also think that there is some truth in it. k naturally gravitates toward and connects with guards. now i know tons of guys are going to come out of the woodwork and point out 47680 examples of how i'm wrong, but i think we can all agree that GENERALLY the guys k has really poured himself into and connected with have been at the 1-2-3 positions.
I think your statement is wrong and even unreasonable.
Most observers, including his peers, would rate coach K among the top ten all-time coaches, based on NCAA championships, conference championships, winning percentage, consistency, character-builing, and leadership in his profession (Olympic coach, e.g.). Saying that the Duke program is deficient in coaching big men is roughly like saying that a Michelin Three Star resaurant ("Worth a trip" in the guide's lingo) doesn't do a good job with fish. Maybe, if you had said, "In the five percent (or one percent)of game situations where a zone is needed, Duke doesn't do that very well"...?
There is no way Duke and K are as successful as they have been over the long haul without being consistently outstanding in coaching and developing players in every major part of the game, especially in coaching big men and the inside game, which is the stuff that really has to be taught, because the seven-footers are typically way behind in coordination and moves.
Ferry, Alaa, Parks, Laettner, Brand, Boozer, Shelden, and even Shav (w/ injuries) developed significantly through their years at Duke.
There's more, but I am out of time.
sagegrouse