Bobby Knight is clearly not a Calipari fan

[striker219]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4752725

"We've gotten into this situation where integrity is really lacking and that's why I'm glad I'm not coaching," he said. "You see we've got a coach at Kentucky [John Calipari], who put two schools on probation and he's still coaching. I really don't understand that."

Ouch.

[DukeBlueNikeShox]

"integrity is lacking" This is coming from a coach who quit on his team during the season?! Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight....:rolleyes:

[SeattleIrish]

BK did graduate his players and, by all accounts, ran a very clean program in terms of recruiting and abiding by NCAA regs.

While I'm not a big BK fan, nor would I want my child to play for him, I do think he comes out way ahead of JC on MY continuum of ethical conduct.

s.i.

[moonpie23]

from a guy who kicked his OWN SON on national tv....


yay..

[oldnavy]

I have very mixed emotions about BK. I think sometimes he is boorish and profane, but at other times I find him refreshingly honest and non-PC.

Playing HS sports in the 70's, it was not unusual to be grabbed or pushed or even kicked in the butt by a coach. I never was physically harmed; the antics were usually just for show and effect (picture a boot camp environment). For the most part the kids responded positively to this style of coaching.

Now, most kids would shut down and parents would sue for such things. I am not saying that the ranting, maniacal style is the best or even a good style, but I really never had a problem with it.

The question I ask, is would you rather have your son play for a BK type who may hurt his feelings from time to time, but who teaches your kid how to work hard and play the game honestly, or a Calipari type who may not hurt his feelings but may teach your kid how to take short cuts and skirt the rules by his example?

Obviously, you would want someone who had the best characteristics of both. But if you had to pick, which one would you? I would go with the yelling man of good character over the smoozier with questionable character every time.

[Inonehand]

I would prefer my son to play for Bobby Knight over John Calipari ANY day. And if he kicked him in the rear end on national television I would laugh mine off...unless I was close enough to high five him.

[dukemsu]

He demanded discipline from his players, but could not consistently exhibit discipline in his own behavior.

Still, with regard to rules compliance, his record is as good as anyone's, ever. This is a guy who benched his star (Alford) for a game against Kentucky for posing for a charity calendar, without knowing what the NCAA punishment would be.

I also suspect Knight's dislike for Cal stems at least in part to Cal's high-level connections to the AAU world, which Knight holds responsible for basically everything wrong with college basketball.

dukemsu

[Devilsfan]

Go General! In this PC world it's nice to see a man tell what he thinks and not just what his audience wants to hear. One things for sure, he (Coach Knight) could never be elected President of the United States.

[Reddevil]

Coach Knight has his flaws but integrity is not one of them. I would not have chosen to play for him. I'm not sure I would want a son playing for him either. It would depend on his motivation level. I he were self motivated - probably not, but if he were a bit lazy - oh yeah! I served in the army so my attitudes are a bit skewed, but the slippery one (Cal) would not be considered a leader for me or mine. Whether you like Coach Knight or not, it is so refreshing to hear an honest thought once in a while.

[soccerstud2210]

I would prefer my son to play for Bobby Knight over John Calipari ANY day. And if he kicked him in the rear end on national television I would laugh mine off...unless I was close enough to high five him.

I agree completely. BK is one of the best college basketball coaches and minds of ALL time (said in my kanye west impression)

regardless of if you agree with some of his antics or actions. you can't refute that

[NYDukie]

I would prefer my son to play for Bobby Knight over John Calipari ANY day. And if he kicked him in the rear end on national television I would laugh mine off...unless I was close enough to high five him.

It's funny, I'm 35 years old, enough to be removed from my dad's era of iron fisted coached but not close enough to this era's kids who are coached in many instances with rubber gloves. While growing up in the mid-late 80's to early-mid 90's, I experienced both types of coaches while playing basketball through high school (had friends on the college team whose coach was tough), while most were of the older, in your face with discipline type coaches whose teams reflected this both in character and results on the court compared to the one or two who were more laid back and let them teams be a little out of control while not having the best results. Even then, and even more know, I appreciate the coaches who were in my face with yelling with even an occassional accidental bump rather than the one's who coddled us. The ones who coached us hard taught us more valuable life lessons, on the court and in both my personal and professional lives later on. As much as they were hard on us on the court, they were the ones in the end who cared the most for us. They followed up with us on how college was treating us, what was going on in our lives at 25 years old, did we have families and showing up for fellow teammates parents funerals, etc. I guess what I'm saying is this, sometimes tough love is the best love, especially for 16, 17 year old kids who need a lil extra hounding when they don't get it at home or from friends when everyone thinks they are "special". Maybe I'm a different breed and strong willed and can take some harsh criticism, but coach Knight would have been a coach I would love to have played for! Given, if was that good to have been recruited by him, which obviously I wasn't...LOLLLL

[jv001]

We all know Coach Knight won NCAA championships and his teams were never in trouble with the NCAA. Cal can't make that statement. Go Duke!

[BlueintheFace]

#1 all time in my book... at least for now ;)

[cameroncrazy3104]

Knight hit the nail on the head, John Calipari is the scum of the earth. He destroys the integrity of every school he touches.

[Rudy]

I have very mixed emotions about BK. I think sometimes he is boorish and profane, but at other times I find him refreshingly honest and non-PC.

Playing HS sports in the 70's, it was not unusual to be grabbed or pushed or even kicked in the butt by a coach. I never was physically harmed; the antics were usually just for show and effect (picture a boot camp environment). For the most part the kids responded positively to this style of coaching.

Now, most kids would shut down and parents would sue for such things. I am not saying that the ranting, maniacal style is the best or even a good style, but I really never had a problem with it.

The question I ask, is would you rather have your son play for a BK type who may hurt his feelings from time to time, but who teaches your kid how to work hard and play the game honestly, or a Calipari type who may not hurt his feelings but may teach your kid how to take short cuts and skirt the rules by his example?

Obviously, you would want someone who had the best characteristics of both. But if you had to pick, which one would you? I would go with the yelling man of good character over the smoozier with questionable character every time.

I completely agree. I came up through h.s. sports in the late sixties. Our most admired football and basketball coach was not shy about yelling at us, poking us in the chest or grabbing our face masks. We loved him because we knew he was trying to make us better players and men. He probably had to soften his style over the years, though, since he rose high in the ranks of h.s. basketball coaches in Ohio. At our h.s. hall of fame induction ceremony a couple of years ago, his introducer joked that coach probably now has arthritis in his forefinger from jabbing us all. The line got a big, appreciative laugh from the crowd.

I also agree with this about BK from dukemsu, though, "He demanded discipline from his players, but could not consistently exhibit discipline in his own behavior." His enormous ego lead(s) him to believe he was bigger and more important than other mortals or his institution, particularly IU, and he didn't seem to see that in himself enough to correct it. A tragic flaw, really.

[slower]

Knight hit the nail on the head, John Calipari is the scum of the earth. He destroys the integrity of every school he touches.

Let's also not forget the likes of Worldwide Wes and Sonny Vaccaro, etc.

It's all about the benjamins, baby.

[oldnavy]

Knight reminds me of General George Patton. Patton was brilliant on the field of battle, but a nightmare for the politicians.

[77devil]

Knight reminds me of General George Patton. Patton was brilliant on the field of battle, but a nightmare for the politicians.
An apt comparison that was probably in the mind of whomever first called BK the general.

[oldnavy]

An apt comparison that was probably in the mind of whomever first called BK the general.

I am not sure, but I believe that Vital coined that nickname because of Knights time at West Point.... and probably the similarity to Patton as well.

[77devil]

An apt comparison that was probably in the mind of whomever first called BK the general.

My tongue was planted firmly in cheek. However, Bob Knight was known as the general from his days at West Point long before we were subjected to the annoyances of Dick Vitale.



I am not sure, but I believe that Vital coined that nickname because of Knights time at West Point.... and probably the similarity to Patton as well.

[striker219]

We all know Coach Knight won NCAA championships and his teams were never in trouble with the NCAA. Cal can't make that statement. Go Duke!

No kidding, Cal has never even sniffed at the Final Four...

[Jeffrey]

Are you guys seriously finding more fault in Knight than Calipari?

I am not surprised that Calipari is still coaching college hoops, but I am surprised he is now coaching one of the historically best college basketball programs.

I'd love to hear Wooden's true opinion of Calipari.

[Buckeye Devil]

Knight reminds me of General George Patton. Patton was brilliant on the field of battle, but a nightmare for the politicians.

Knight would relish such a comparison having a West Point connection and also being a student of history. The parallels in terms of success, demands for discipline, incidents lacking self-discipline, and speaking one's mind, to name a few, are readily apparent. Obviously, neither Patton or Knight cared much about political correctness in their respective times. Unfortunately, the truth of what someone like a Patton or Knight might say is sometimes minimized or disregarded by others due to reputation and living a somewhat paradoxical life.

Coach K is a wonder given the fact that Knight was such an influence. It seems that he was able to model the positive/admirable characteristics of Knight without taking on all of the bombast and lack of self-discipline. Knight has sometimes been the strong and powerful, but unbridled horse while Coach K has had that strength and success controlled by the bit of self-discipline.

[uh_no]

No kidding, Cal has never even sniffed at the Final Four...

Well.....this statement is ironically true.....seeing as that nice final four banner at memphis is sittingin the garbage somewhere.....

[miramar]

The biggest surprise to me is not that Knight has spoken the truth, but that Calipari actually goes to mass:

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/colleges/mens-basketball/story/1388296.html

[dukebballcamper90-91]

I liked Cal's response better

[blueprofessor]

And the scoundrel is not Knight!
Best regards and Merry Christmas and Happy Other Holidays--Blueprofessor:)

[oldnavy]

Knight would relish such a comparison having a West Point connection and also being a student of history. The parallels in terms of success, demands for discipline, incidents lacking self-discipline, and speaking one's mind, to name a few, are readily apparent. Obviously, neither Patton or Knight cared much about political correctness in their respective times. Unfortunately, the truth of what someone like a Patton or Knight might say is sometimes minimized or disregarded by others due to reputation and living a somewhat paradoxical life.

Coach K is a wonder given the fact that Knight was such an influence. It seems that he was able to model the positive/admirable characteristics of Knight without taking on all of the bombast and lack of self-discipline. Knight has sometimes been the strong and powerful, but unbridled horse while Coach K has had that strength and success controlled by the bit of self-discipline.

One of the things that I learned over my 20 years in the military is that you learn as much if not more from poor leaders than you do from good leaders.

K is a very, very intelligent man, so I am sure that he filtered out the bad aspects of Knight's style (self control and speaking before thinking for instance) and took the good (work ethic, demanding 100% from players, integrity, etc...)

[KYtotheCore]

Bob Knight has some truth in his comments, and while being a tough-skinned UK fan, I feel like he chose a poor forum to do it in front of. Why not just say it when he is going to be in Lexington for Gameday on ESPN on the 13th? BK criticizing anyone for integrity is like saying he beats his wife, but at least he's never once cheated on her. Very underwhelming.

[weezie]

I would prefer my son to play for Bobby Knight over John Calipari ANY day. And if he kicked him in the rear end on national television I would laugh mine off...unless I was close enough to high five him.

You sound like the father of a teen-aged son! :D

OK, don't get mad at me, I'm just funning.....

[mph]

Bob Knight has some truth in his comments, and while being a tough-skinned UK fan, I feel like he chose a poor forum to do it in front of. Why not just say it when he is going to be in Lexington for Gameday on ESPN on the 13th? BK criticizing anyone for integrity is like saying he beats his wife, but at least he's never once cheated on her. Very underwhelming.

The debate over Knight's credibility and timing are diversions from the obvious truth of his point. Knight's comments are laudable, if for no other reason than college basketball's talking heads need break the code of silence that protects shady coaches. Bilas (http://kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=26700) and Vitale (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/dickvitale/news/story?id=4246114) were Calipari apologists and most other ESPN commentators stayed slient. The only ESPN commentator I remember publicly questioning UK's hiring of Calipari was Pat Forde (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=4213475&sportCat=ncb). There's a lot of blame to go around (agents, shoe companies, coaches, schools, the NCAA), but ESPN certainly hasn't been part of the solution. Good for Knight.

[marinbobbyduhon]

The debate over Knight's credibility and timing are diversions from the obvious truth of his point. Knight's comments are laudable, if for no other reason than college basketball's talking heads need break the code of silence that protects shady coaches. Bilas (http://kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=26700) and Vitale (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/dickvitale/news/story?id=4246114) were Calipari apologists and most other ESPN commentators stayed slient. The only ESPN commentator I remember publicly questioning UK's hiring of Calipari was Pat Forde (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=4213475&sportCat=ncb). There's a lot of blame to go around (agents, shoe companies, coaches, schools, the NCAA), but ESPN certainly hasn't been part of the solution. Good for Knight.

I was home sick yesterday and had ESPN on most of the afternoon. On "First and Ten" Jamelle Hill and Skip Bayless both agreed with BK's comments. On "Around the Horn" there was 100% agreement. Jackie Mac Mullen even said (paraphrasing) that sports journalists including herself, should be ashamed for not bringing it up sooner. Woody Paige said that he has had conversations with Knight where Bobby has given him specific examples of coaches who break NCAA rules. PTI also backed BK's statements. In another show Doug Gottlieb debated Mike DeCourcy. Doug agreed with Bobby - Mike was the only one who backed Calipari yesterday in the debates.

I would be curious as to how Jay Bilas would respond to Knight's integrity in coaching comments. I have long believed that most sports journalists know full well what is going on and choose to look the other way - they simply don't want to rock the boat.

Good for Bobby Knight to have the courage to say what he feels is detrimental to the sport he loves so much. I don't like his bullying tactics from his coaching days, but I do admire him for speaking the truth and not minding stirring the pot. Of course, I have always suspected that he likes being embroiled in controversy, but that's another discussion.