Originally Posted by
gumbomoop
This raises, for me, the most interesting larger point in the [re]new[ed], relevant tangent that this thread has taken: Roy v. K.
Actually this larger issue merits its own thread, but I hesitate to start one because it might be seen as too delicate, or possibly too harsh toward Roy. But EK is for mature audiences. [Unlike, for example, IC and probably most message boards.] The issue is implicit - and close to explicit - in MC's observation about Roy's limitations and current struggles "beyond the basketball court."
Straightforwardly put, K is considerably more intellectually and culturally curious than is Roy. I suppose the most obvious example is K's Sirius XM program, "Basketball and Beyond with Coach K." K is way, way "beyond" basketball. His focus on leadership only begins to get at his interests, and at his mind. IMO, the reason K and USA BBall is working for him and the NBA guys is that they are enthralled by the breadth and depth of K's mind. For his part, K is delighted to be working with, exchanging ideas with, slightly older players, sophisticated guys, some of them. He sees stuff - complicated stuff - they don't, or haven't, or just haven't paid much attention to; and they're kind of surprised, often initially taken aback, by him. They can't quite believe how interesting he is. By contrast, Roy isn't that interesting. He's not that complex, intellectually and culturally. He's a very nice guy, a straightforward "lifer," very good coach, possibly even an underrated coach because such a strong recruiter. But he's not deep intellectually; he's not broadly curious.