Potential Dark Horse

Want to add one more thing. The 81-82 Duke team won 10 games. The 82-84 team won 11 games with a team that featured Dawkins, Amaker, Bilas, Alarie, Henderson, etc. I am sure that the Duke fan base expected much more improvement than 1 victory, and were likely calling for K's head. We know how that turned out. Which brings me back to my original point, which is that Rome wasnt built in a day, and that we are in very good hands with this staff. Lets not hang on every win/loss in an effort to determine if Chris if can be a successful head coach. We'll have our answer in due time.
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Wins and losses don't make a good coach. There are great coaches who never won much, and lousy ones who won a lot but not enough.

There is a great interview of John Wooden by Charlie Rose. Rose asked Wooden if he agreed with those who proclaim him the greatest coach in basketball history. Wooden scoffed at the notion, and said with conviction "I am no where close to being the best coach ever in basketball. It is far more likely that better coaches exist across America, in high school gyms in places you've never heard of, who never receive much acclaim, who are far better than me."

While winning doesn't make a good coach, the absence of winning when you don't have the horses doesn't necessarily absolve you.
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Agreed, but at this level a coach is measured first and foremost by wins and losses. That's why I said "Lets not hang on every win/loss in an effort to determine if Chris is a successful coach". Few have ever considered Boeheim to be a "great" coach. However he is one of the more successful coaches of all time. Here's all Chris needs to do:

1) get the kids
2) keep a strong staff, with special emphasis on a top notch recruiter
3) have a game plan in place on both ends
4) get the kids to play hard
5) get the kids to play as a cohesive unit

If he can accomplish those 5 things, he'll be consistently successful here. Not saying he'll be a "great" coach, just saying that IMO he'll be a successful one.
 
I guess you are right Monte! I remember many moons ago while attending SJU, I think it was 1968 when I was in the men's bathroom in Alumni Hall at the urinal when Louie walked in right next to me doing his thing. We began talking and he said something to the effect that you need the horses to win and that coaching was overrated! I never forgot that and to his credit he is probably right! Great players overshadow many coaching deficiencies!
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I once took a leak next to Clint Eastwood, at my Dad's buddy's restaurant in LA. When we were done taking care of business, I actually had a chance to meet and chat with him for a while. I guess you could say that meeting him "made my day". Great guy. Way off topic, but couldn't resist.
 
I guess you are right Monte! I remember many moons ago while attending SJU, I think it was 1968 when I was in the men's bathroom in Alumni Hall at the urinal when Louie walked in right next to me doing his thing. We began talking and he said something to the effect that you need the horses to win and that coaching was overrated! I never forgot that and to his credit he is probably right! Great players overshadow many coaching deficiencies!
Click to expand...

I once took a leak next to Clint Eastwood, at my Dad's buddy's restaurant in LA. When we were done taking care of business, I actually had a chance to meet and chat with him for a while. I guess you could say that meeting him "made my day". Great guy. Way off topic, but couldn't resist.
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Proud of you M! Even with an LA reference you sucked it up & avoided Lavin bash.
Our recent enrollment in "Steve Lavin Detox Program" may be paying off. Too soon to tell? remember, "one urinal at a time".

Btw, I am glad that was not Lavin in stall #2 for his sake.
 
I guess you are right Monte! I remember many moons ago while attending SJU, I think it was 1968 when I was in the men's bathroom in Alumni Hall at the urinal when Louie walked in right next to me doing his thing. We began talking and he said something to the effect that you need the horses to win and that coaching was overrated! I never forgot that and to his credit he is probably right! Great players overshadow many coaching deficiencies!
Click to expand...

I once took a leak next to Clint Eastwood, at my Dad's buddy's restaurant in LA. When we were done taking care of business, I actually had a chance to meet and chat with him for a while. I guess you could say that meeting him "made my day". Great guy. Way off topic, but couldn't resist.
Click to expand...

Proud of you M! Even with an LA reference you sucked it up & avoided Lavin bash.
Our recent enrollment in "Steve Lavin Detox Program" may be paying off. Too soon to tell? Btw, I am glad that was not Lavin in stall 2. :)
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Way to soon!!!! Just wait and see what happens if we get off to a bad start ;)
 
Agreed, but at this level a coach is measured first and foremost by wins and losses. That's why I said "Lets not hang on every win/loss in an effort to determine if Chris is a successful coach". Few have ever considered Boeheim to be a "great" coach. However he is one of the more successful coaches of all time. Here's all Chris needs to do:

1) get the kids
2) keep a strong staff, with special emphasis on a top notch recruiter
3) have a game plan in place on both ends
4) get the kids to play hard
5) get the kids to play as a cohesive unit

If he can accomplish those 5 things, he'll be consistently successful here. Not saying he'll be a "great" coach, just saying that IMO he'll be a successful one.
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good list. One thing (among several) that I am finding encouraging is that the players are putting in time and having noticeable results in the off season. Last several regimes were like school kids on summer vacation. In the past I heard excuses for the staff that it was up to the kids, but obviously this staff is getting the kids to put in the work in the off season one way or another.
 
I guess you are right Monte! I remember many moons ago while attending SJU, I think it was 1968 when I was in the men's bathroom in Alumni Hall at the urinal when Louie walked in right next to me doing his thing. We began talking and he said something to the effect that you need the horses to win and that coaching was overrated! I never forgot that and to his credit he is probably right! Great players overshadow many coaching deficiencies!
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I generally prefer that people leave me alone at the urinal, but sure, I'd speak to Louie there.
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Not sure I'd want to be near, let alone talk to, anyone who was standing next to me in the men's room "doing his thing." :unsure:
 
Agreed, but at this level a coach is measured first and foremost by wins and losses. That's why I said "Lets not hang on every win/loss in an effort to determine if Chris is a successful coach". Few have ever considered Boeheim to be a "great" coach. However he is one of the more successful coaches of all time. Here's all Chris needs to do:

1) get the kids
2) keep a strong staff, with special emphasis on a top notch recruiter
3) have a game plan in place on both ends
4) get the kids to play hard
5) get the kids to play as a cohesive unit

If he can accomplish those 5 things, he'll be consistently successful here. Not saying he'll be a "great" coach, just saying that IMO he'll be a successful one.
Click to expand...

good list. One thing (among several) that I am finding encouraging is that the players are putting in time and having noticeable results in the off season. Last several regimes were like school kids on summer vacation. In the past I heard excuses for the staff that it was up to the kids, but obviously this staff is getting the kids to put in the work in the off season one way or another.
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Thanks Paul. Hard work is contagious. This staff is leading by example.
 
Agreed, but at this level a coach is measured first and foremost by wins and losses. That's why I said "Lets not hang on every win/loss in an effort to determine if Chris is a successful coach". Few have ever considered Boeheim to be a "great" coach. However he is one of the more successful coaches of all time. Here's all Chris needs to do:

1) get the kids
2) keep a strong staff, with special emphasis on a top notch recruiter
3) have a game plan in place on both ends
4) get the kids to play hard
5) get the kids to play as a cohesive unit

If he can accomplish those 5 things, he'll be consistently successful here. Not saying he'll be a "great" coach, just saying that IMO he'll be a successful one.
Click to expand...

good list. One thing (among several) that I am finding encouraging is that the players are putting in time and having noticeable results in the off season. Last several regimes were like school kids on summer vacation. In the past I heard excuses for the staff that it was up to the kids, but obviously this staff is getting the kids to put in the work in the off season one way or another.
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Which is why I believed from day 1 that Coach Mullin would be successful. He was on 2 good teams (1981 and 1983) and on 2 great teams (1983 and 1985) at SJU. He understands the difference. 83 and 85 were senior dominated and experienced teams. He understands that recruiting is key, first and foremost. Having watched him put in the excess work at SJU in the summers to become great I knew that he would recruit players who are hungry and in his image. No surprise at all that players are working hard in the off season. To tell you the truth I would be very surprised if they were not putting in the necessary off season work to rise to another level.
 
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