RIP Bob Knight
- Thread starter paultzman
- Start date
Great coach, but very flawed human being.
'The game has lost an icon': Bob Knight dies at 83
Bob Knight, whose Hall of Fame career was highlighted by three national titles at Indiana, has died at 83.
One of the alltime great coaches. You either loved him or hated him, or loved him and hated him.
I loved him but understand how others felt about him. Every 4 year player he had graduated. Old school tough in ways unacceptable now. Huge fan of our own Joe Lapchick, also Clair Bee and CCNY coach. RIP Coach
Oddly, two nights ago, I watched the 30 for 30, "Last days of Knight" documentary. I have strong opinions about the journalist that pursued the story that I won't share tonight.
My first college game at st john's feaured Army as the opponent with Bob Knight as coach. His point guard was a kid named Mike K-something who went on to win more than 1000 games as coach. The three men on the floor including our own coach C. Amassed 2500+ wins. Funny all 3 have direct or indirect ties to st. Johns.
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Bob Knight, legendary Indiana basketball coach, dead at 83
Bob Knight, one of the greatest and most controversial coaches in basketball history, has died at 83 years old.
nypost.com
RIP to a truly great coach.
He had a lot respect for SJU. I remember a story he told during a post game presser, in 1990 (I think).
I was covering the game for the Torch and I never saw Knight in person before . He was intimidating, and loved to break the reporters chops.
Anyway after his IU team beat SJU at the Garden, and he answered basic questions about the game. He was actually sarcastic and filled with dry humor.
Then he somehow transitioned into talking about the history of NYC college basketball.
He started talking about his experience coaching at Army, and then brought up that he would go to Joe Lapchick’s house numerous times and talk basketball. He said he learned so much by just listening to him. It was obvious that Knight revered Lapchick.
Obviously, I am going by memory from long ago, but the overall premise of the story always stuck with me. It was a side of him that was rarely seen, as opposed to the ornery and maniacal sideline behavior.
He had a lot respect for SJU. I remember a story he told during a post game presser, in 1990 (I think).
I was covering the game for the Torch and I never saw Knight in person before . He was intimidating, and loved to break the reporters chops.
Anyway after his IU team beat SJU at the Garden, and he answered basic questions about the game. He was actually sarcastic and filled with dry humor.
Then he somehow transitioned into talking about the history of NYC college basketball.
He started talking about his experience coaching at Army, and then brought up that he would go to Joe Lapchick’s house numerous times and talk basketball. He said he learned so much by just listening to him. It was obvious that Knight revered Lapchick.
Obviously, I am going by memory from long ago, but the overall premise of the story always stuck with me. It was a side of him that was rarely seen, as opposed to the ornery and maniacal sideline behavior.
L J S A
Well-known member
If you asked me to name top two coaches of all time, I probably say Knight and Pitino. Really glad that our flawed coach's flaws were what they were and that he didn't have Knight's flaws. He wouldn't be our coach now if he did.
Great and very flawed man.
John Feinstein of course had a love/hate relationship with Bob after he wrote the famous book "Season on the Brink."
But with regards to how Knight viewed cheating Feinstein had a famous quote followed by two specific stories he witnessed that season, 1985-86. He always said if he had to bet his LIFE on one college coach (football or basketball) that he knew NEVER cheated it would be Bob Knight.
He always mentioned two specific incidences he witnessed. Knight had found out a local gas station was giving IU basketball players free gas which goes on ALL THE TIME in major college basketball and football. Those athletes get free stuff from local businesses all the time and technically it is an NCAA violation because you are receiving an unpaid benefit but again nobody cares if a Michigan football player gets free tacos at the local Taco Bell. Knight cared. Feinstein goes down to the gas station with him and Knight gets in the face of the Manager and makes it clear that the free stuff ends and if not he will make sure that gas station never pumps gas again in Bloomington. He then meets with the team and makes clear that if he hears anyone receiving free gas or ANYTHING free they are gone, no questions. Scholarship revoked.
Later that year it was revealed that Steve Alford, his best player, had posed for a calendar that was going to be sold. He was not paid, no money changed hands but it was technically an NCAA violation. Knight called the NCAA offices to report it and get some guidance. They said if investigated it would probably result in a 1 game suspension. Again nobody cared, no money changed hands. But Knight cared. Next game was Kentucky. He could have ignored the recommendation or he could have suspended Alford for another game less important right? Nope Kentucky it was. He suspended his best player for the biggest non-conference game over what amounts to a parking ticket in today's game.
John Feinstein of course had a love/hate relationship with Bob after he wrote the famous book "Season on the Brink."
But with regards to how Knight viewed cheating Feinstein had a famous quote followed by two specific stories he witnessed that season, 1985-86. He always said if he had to bet his LIFE on one college coach (football or basketball) that he knew NEVER cheated it would be Bob Knight.
He always mentioned two specific incidences he witnessed. Knight had found out a local gas station was giving IU basketball players free gas which goes on ALL THE TIME in major college basketball and football. Those athletes get free stuff from local businesses all the time and technically it is an NCAA violation because you are receiving an unpaid benefit but again nobody cares if a Michigan football player gets free tacos at the local Taco Bell. Knight cared. Feinstein goes down to the gas station with him and Knight gets in the face of the Manager and makes it clear that the free stuff ends and if not he will make sure that gas station never pumps gas again in Bloomington. He then meets with the team and makes clear that if he hears anyone receiving free gas or ANYTHING free they are gone, no questions. Scholarship revoked.
Later that year it was revealed that Steve Alford, his best player, had posed for a calendar that was going to be sold. He was not paid, no money changed hands but it was technically an NCAA violation. Knight called the NCAA offices to report it and get some guidance. They said if investigated it would probably result in a 1 game suspension. Again nobody cared, no money changed hands. But Knight cared. Next game was Kentucky. He could have ignored the recommendation or he could have suspended Alford for another game less important right? Nope Kentucky it was. He suspended his best player for the biggest non-conference game over what amounts to a parking ticket in today's game.
TX Redman
Well-known member
No love for Coach Mike K?
L J S A
Well-known member
Not for top two spots I don't.
I am glad after vowing to never step foot on IU campus again (after he was dismissed) that he came back in February of 2020 (ironically just before everything shut down in March of 2020 for COVID). Because obviously he will always be associated with Indiana.
Cool to see Gene Keady was there (they were playing Purdue) and Isiah Thomas, Sage Steele, Mark Cuban and others...
Cool to see Gene Keady was there (they were playing Purdue) and Isiah Thomas, Sage Steele, Mark Cuban and others...
also saw a game that had coach knight with coach k as his point guard, at rose hill.
there was a multipart series (6 ish episodes) that followed knight and the indiana annual tryout for a walkon to make the varsity. if you watched that series you would proclaim coach knight - the nicest/most caring coach on earth.
were not coach knight and coach lou c fishing buddies? RIP.
there was a multipart series (6 ish episodes) that followed knight and the indiana annual tryout for a walkon to make the varsity. if you watched that series you would proclaim coach knight - the nicest/most caring coach on earth.
were not coach knight and coach lou c fishing buddies? RIP.