So What Do You Think of the Bobby Knight Situation?

[Will Lavender]

Link. (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2661787)

Thoughts?

[TrueblueCATfan]

sounds like the same ole Bobby Knight

[Prince21]

I think it's a complete joke. Knight, his son, the player, and the player's parents had no problem with it so why does the media make a big deal? If it were any other coach, this doesn't even get brought up by the media IMO.

[Swimmer4uk]

This is absolutely ridiculous the coverage it is getting. Is it not as much punishment as making the kid run suicides? This is his style of coaching and it has been made widely public. The parents knew it, this kid knew it and the press knows it. You don't listen, you get shown you need to listen just like in life. If you don't like it, don't play for him. The kid even said that it was no big deal.

Much like everything else the media touches, it is being blown way out of proportion.I would expect him toknock some sense into me too.

[matt colvin]

I think it's an excellent opportunity for ESPN to fill some air time.



As a poster said, Noone that was involved had a problem, so what's the big deal????



Bob Knight may have some anger management issues, but he is still a good coach with alot of experience.

[Will Lavender]

Swimmer4uk wrote: This is absolutely ridiculous the coverage it is getting. Is it not as much punishment as making the kid run suicides? This is his style of coaching and it has been made widely public. The parents knew it, this kid knew it and the press knows it. You don't listen, you get shown you need to listen just like in life. If you don't like it, don't play for him. The kid even said that it was no big deal.

Much like everything else the media touches, it is being blown way out of proportion.I would expect him toknock some sense into me too.

I sort of agree with you. If you sign up to play with Bob Knight, then you know what you're getting into. The man's a bully and a *****, no doubt. And he's no longer a great coach. But anyone who has played sports knows that this kind of thing happens.

But while I don't think this particular incident is worthy of anyone's ire, I don't agree with the fact that other things Knight has done were "blown way out of proportion." Choking a player is a completely different kind of incident than this recent one.

[Swimmer4uk]

Will Lavender wrote: Swimmer4uk wrote: This is absolutely ridiculous the coverage it is getting. Is it not as much punishment as making the kid run suicides? This is his style of coaching and it has been made widely public. The parents knew it, this kid knew it and the press knows it. You don't listen, you get shown you need to listen just like in life. If you don't like it, don't play for him. The kid even said that it was no big deal.

Much like everything else the media touches, it is being blown way out of proportion.I would expect him toknock some sense into me too.

I sort of agree with you. If you sign up to play with Bob Knight, then you know what you're getting into. The man's a bully and a *****, no doubt. And he's no longer a great coach. But anyone who has played sports knows that this kind of thing happens.

But while I don't think this particular incident is worthy of anyone's ire, I don't agree with the fact that other things Knight has done were "blown way out of proportion." Choking a player is a completely different kind of incident than this recent one.

No, I agree with that. I meant the media in general, exploits everything they can. This is no different. Him grabbing his player by the throat was in definite need of reprimand, not this. Nor is it worth the attention. I must've written that poorly

[Will Lavender]

Doug Gottlieb and Jay Bilas are going at it right now on ESPN about this. It's like Bilas has Gottlieb in the box; the boy's a bit rattled. :D

[pharmcat]

i can not see any harm in what happened. this should not be an issue.

[Spanish Moss]

No problem. I wish we had more coaches like that. Bobby is a target because of his past so the least little thing is going to be blown up in the media. There are several things Bobby Knight has done over the years that I disagree with but this is not one of them.

I would welcome an opportunity to play for a coach like Bobby Knight if I had that kind of talent and they wanted me. Adolph Rupp was tough but I would have given my right arm to have had the talent to play for that man.

[BigBlueAngus]

He's a DUCK. But without the U and add an I.

[Will Lavender]

I think the question that has to be asked is, "What would you do if this kid were your son?"

As a father, I wouldn't have a problem at all with what Knight did last night. In fact, I would expect that sort of discipline in my boy's life if he's on an athletic scholarship.

That said, my son would NEVER play for Bob Knight.

[NC Cat]

If you're the TT chancellor, do you wait for Knight to do permanent physical damage to a player before you fire him? And if that eventually happens, as it inevitably will, how much will the university have to pay in damages and who loses their jobs as a result? Tape like this would play well in a courtroom, don't you think?

Andis there another employee on campus who could hit a student, have it captured live on video, and retain his/her job? No faculty member would survive that, I guarantee you. Why should Knight be any different?If the AD or Chancellor had any balls, they'd can him now...before he goes nuclear on someone. It's only a matter of time.

[Will Lavender]

NC Cat wrote: Andis there another employee on campus who could hit a student, have it captured live on video, and retain his/her job? No faculty member would survive that, I guarantee you. Why should Knight be any different?If the AD or Chancellor had any balls, they'd can him now...before he goes nuclear on someone. It's only a matter of time.

Really interesting point. I would argue that Knight is in a different position than a faculty member. The rules are different.

I just think it was a dire mistake for Tech to hire Knight. The man has some serious issues and really, in all honesty, shouldn't be in a position of authority or leadership in any situation, especially when young people are involved.

[Blue Heaven]

Mike Golic was giving it to Gottleib on 'Mike and Mike" this morning. I liked Golics comment when he said "Doug thinks Old School is wrong. Who's to say the new school is right?"

I don't see a big deal about this. In fact Gottleib said if it wasn't Knight that it wouldn't be a big deal at all. So Doug, what's the problem?! I can't stand that turd. He really bad mouthed the Cats last year and todays comments just cemented the idea, for me, that he along with Seth Davis, are complete bozos.

[Will Lavender]

Blue Heaven wrote: Mike Golic was giving it to Gottleib on 'Mike and Mike" this morning. I liked Golics comment when he said "Doug thinks Old School is wrong. Who's to say the new school is right?"

I don't see a big deal about this. In fact Gottleib said if it wasn't Knight that it wouldn't be a big deal at all. So Doug, what's the problem?! I can't stand that turd. He really bad mouthed the Cats last year and todays comments just cemented the idea, for me, that he along with Seth Davis, are complete bozos.

Yeah, I thought Gottlieb's points were stupid. As usual.

Knight shouldn't be disciplined for something that's not a big deal, regardless of his past.

[bleedbluelady]

If everything happened the way it's reported, I don't have a problem with this incident. But, I sure would like someone to ask Bobby to elaborate on this quote...

"I'm sure there were some cases where I have been wrong but [Monday night] wasn't one of them," Knight said "I'm sure there were some cases where I have been wrong but [Monday night] wasn't one of them," Knight said

I don't think I've ever heard him admit he was wrong in any of "his cases".

I would NEVER let a kid of mine play for him. I don't care how good of a coach he is, the guy has mental issues, IMHO.

[KY Native in IN]

i saw on a show about Bobby Knight that "Bobby Knight left West Point, but West Point never left Bobby Knight"....i agree with a previous poster...if you're gonna try out for Knight's team you gotta expect to see "that side" of Knight....Knight's a great coach without a doubt, but there again, where do you draw the line....great coaching doesn't have to be physically harmful to the player....in some respects i'd like to see Tubby show some real fire andget a "T" called on him some time, but there again what would that prove, that he can be a jackass with the rest of the rattlesnakes?....vitale loves him though, so he must be doing something right....:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:: lol::lol:

[audacious1]

Much ado about nothing. The kid doesn't have a problem with it, neither do his parents. Media: please move on.

[Josh]

Knight shouldn't have jacked the kid's jaw like he did, but nonetheless, it IS being overblown. You go to play for Texas Tech knowing good and well what kind of a man Bobby Knight is and what is expected.

BTW, my father works with that kid's grandmother or something like that. Apparently they were from around here and moved off to Texas at some point. I dunno.

[KyBlueBilly]

I dont see what the big deal is. Putting your hand under a kid's chin and lifting it up to look him in the eye is a far cry from abuse.

Personally, I feel that it is being pushed by that ACC biased college basketball media to get rid of Bobby before he can break their god, Dean Smith's all time win record.

[yitbos]

If this had been any other coach in America, we wouldnt have even heard about it. This is a non-issue, no one other than analysts were upset by it.

[Sir Richard F. Burton]

The behavior would not be tolerated if any other Texas Tech employee slapped a student. But since this one TT employee is a winning coach then it's no "big deal".

The kid is OK with it??? What could he say?

He new what he was getting into??? Is it wrong to expect an employee of a university (Bobby Knight) to excerise self control?

Is it a "big deal"? No but, why is self control and Bobby Knight never seen in the same sentence?

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

KyBlueBilly wrote: I dont see what the big deal is. Putting your hand under a kid's chin and lifting it up to look him in the eye is a far cry from abuse.



If you think that's what happened then you need to see the replay. All of you can say what you want but he downright hit the kid, period. The rules are different for him.....???? why is that Will ??

[freethrow]

After reading Knights words about it I thought no harm no foul. But, after seening a video of it I think Knight should get some heat over it. He was NOT just lifting the kids chin. It was a clear slap. No, not hard enough to hurt the kid, but a slap none the less. A coach has no right to do that IMO.

[wildcatfaninnc]

Sir Richard F. Burton wrote: The behavior would not be tolerated if any other Texas Tech employee slapped a student. But since this one TT employee is a winning coach then it's no "big deal".


Did Knight slap someone? No. Slapping and what Knight did are two different things and not even in the same ballpark.

This is a non-story. The parents have no problem with it.

[freethrow]

wildcatfaninnc wrote: Sir Richard F. Burton wrote: The behavior would not be tolerated if any other Texas Tech employee slapped a student. But since this one TT employee is a winning coach then it's no "big deal".


Did Knight slap someone? No. Slapping and what Knight did are two different things and not even in the same ballpark.

This is a non-story. The parents have no problem with it.
Did Knight slap someone? Yes. It is as clear as clear can be. I would love to have seen the kid slap him right back and then see the fur fly over this. :D

[BigBlue75]

I could never, ever be considerd a Bobby Knight fan and long ago I got sick of his antics and his profanity laced tirades. The best thing that ever happened was when Texas Tech hired him and got him out of the media spotlight, at least to the degree he was in it.

Now, having said that, my opinion is that this is much ado about nothing. Number one, the player in question AND his parents don't have a problem with it, number two, the school administration doesn't have an issue with it, and number three, I agree with the growing consensus that if this had been any other coach besides Knight, the whole thing would have gone completely unnoticed.

If Knight had hauled off and slapped the guy across the face and drew blood, or if he shamed him by launching into one of his screaming tirades in front of his teammates and the fans, that would have been a different story. But that isn't the case.

All I saw was a coach trying to get a player to re-focus and keep his head in the game.

[catman4life]

It appears to me that those of you who want Bobby's head on a platter have never palyed a team sport, or if so, there was no competitiveness. I saw the incident in question and that was nothing more than a coach getting a players attention. I have been drug around by my facemask...poked in the chest so hard I thought his finger was gonna come out my back and ran suicides til I puked my guts out. It is called getting tough and learning discipline. That is what this generation, this country is lacking.....good old fashioned whip your butt with a belt when you act up discipline. I coach my players with the same vigor as Coach knight and I respect him for the discipline he instills in his players, never mind the fact that he graduates nearly 95% of them. Also, you will be hard pressed to find very many former player who have any animosity for him.

[freethrow]

Either way you want to see it, Knight was out of line IMO. He should never slap a kid even if it is a gentle slap unless it is in fun. Once again, Knights ego prompted him to act as he always has.

Look me in the eye when I am talking to you boy !!!!! SLAP :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8OXgAK_rZU

[freethrow]

catman4life wrote: It appears to me that those of you who want Bobby's head on a platter have never palyed a team sport, or if so, there was no competitiveness. I saw the incident in question and that was nothing more than a coach getting a players attention. I have been drug around by my facemask...poked in the chest so hard I thought his finger was gonna come out my back and ran suicides til I puked my guts out. It is called getting tough and learning discipline. That is what this generation, this country is lacking.....good old fashioned whip your butt with a belt when you act up discipline. I coach my players with the same vigor as Coach knight and I respect him for the discipline he instills in his players, never mind the fact that he graduates nearly 95% of them. Also, you will be hard pressed to find very many former player who have any animosity for him. If it was that bad you should have stood up to them. There is a thing called "the bench" for discipline.

[catman4life]

It wasn't "that bad" as you said. I was being taught how to play tough, hard nosed sports. I was also being taught how to be a man. I also made all-district, all-region in FB 3 yrs and have two All "A" Classic state title rings. Seems to me they (my coaches) were doing something right. Not to mention the fact that the mental toughness they instilled in me gave me the ability (along with being raised in a Marine Corps family)to withstand boot camp and four years as a special forces operative in the military. Again, those who have no discipline, or very little, do not understand it.

[freethrow]

OK, lets go back a couple years when Knight grabbed Reid around the neck in practice. Reid says it was a choke and Knight says in his book it was "hardly" a choke, more or less admitting to the incident. Do you think it was OK for Knight to grab that kid by the neck so he would be a better player? Just seems like classic Knight to me.

[catman4life]

I will say that every coach has their style of motivation. I am sure that Knight meant to grab the other kid by the neck. I am sure he has done it to other kids. It just so happened that this particular kid didn't like it. But that is Knight's style. Always has been...always will be. You know that about him when you sign the LOI. Why then act suprised about it later. Its like marrying a drill instructor and then not understanding why he yells.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

I didn't see anything wrong with what Knight did in the incident, the kid was being disrespectful and blowing him off in his opinion.

[freethrow]

I took the belt a few times as a kid. I deserved those whippings and held no grudge against my Dad over them. However, if he had grabbed me by the neck or slapped me for no good reason I would have held a grudge for sure. I may have even swung on him? Probably not though. Dad would have swung right back at me again and I would lose that fight. :ggrin:

[catman4life]

The fact that you respect your dad enough to never "swingon him" basically validates my point about discipline and respect. He taught you discipline and you respect him for it. Just like most of Knight's players respect him.

[CatsSaintsFan]

pharmcat wrote: i can not see any harm in what happened. this should not be an issue.

+1

I just don't see why this is getting so much play. The kid and the mother have deemed it a non issue. In fact, the kid said Knight was encouraging him because thehe was being so hard on himself.

[freethrow]

catman4life wrote: The fact that you respect your dad enough to never "swingon him" basically validates my point about discipline and respect. He taught you discipline and you respect him for it. Just like most of Knight's players respect him.:ggrin: No, it wouldn't have been respect if he had grabbed me by the neck. It would have been just me avoiding getting the crap beat out of me. My "respect" for him would have dipped by a considerable amount if he had grabbed me in that way. Not swinging back would be me just not being a total fool. :ggrin:

[winchestercat]

Prince21 wrote: so why does the media make a big deal? If it were any other coach, this doesn't even get brought up by the media IMO.

you answered your own question, it is because it is Knight.... other coaches probably do worse every night and nothing is said, but because it is knight, it is blown out of poportion... but the question should be asked, when does go from being an accepted eccentric to a villian and a thron in the adminstrations side, similar to iu..

[BGandBLUE]

The player Knight "hit" was the son of former WKU player Mike Prince who according to other's was known as Mike Dense.

Just a little bit a trivia for all concerned...

[Sir Richard F. Burton]

catman4life wrote: It appears to me that those of you who want Bobby's head on a platter have never palyed a team sport, or if so, there was no competitiveness. I saw the incident in question and that was nothing more than a coach getting a players attention. I have been drug around by my facemask...poked in the chest so hard I thought his finger was gonna come out my back and ran suicides til I puked my guts out. It is called getting tough and learning discipline. That is what this generation, this country is lacking.....good old fashioned whip your butt with a belt when you act up discipline. I coach my players with the same vigor as Coach knight and I respect him for the discipline he instills in his players, never mind the fact that he graduates nearly 95% of them. Also, you will be hard pressed to find very many former player who have any animosity for him.
If the Bobby Knight way works so well why is he so unique? I mean if throwing a chair, choking players and smacking players is truly the way to "instill discipline" why have none of the coaches who have won NCAA championships since BK's last in 1987 followed in his bullying footsteps? You laud the BK way as "instilling discipline" when BK lacks self discipline. He would still be at IU if he wasn't so undisciplined. He doesn't have the self discipline to not strike a kid. Funny all the other Div one coaches seem to be able to resist the temptation except BK.

Compare Bobby Knight to John Wooden.

[Will Lavender]

Sir Richard F. Burton wrote: catman4life wrote: It appears to me that those of you who want Bobby's head on a platter have never palyed a team sport, or if so, there was no competitiveness. I saw the incident in question and that was nothing more than a coach getting a players attention. I have been drug around by my facemask...poked in the chest so hard I thought his finger was gonna come out my back and ran suicides til I puked my guts out. It is called getting tough and learning discipline. That is what this generation, this country is lacking.....good old fashioned whip your butt with a belt when you act up discipline. I coach my players with the same vigor as Coach knight and I respect him for the discipline he instills in his players, never mind the fact that he graduates nearly 95% of them. Also, you will be hard pressed to find very many former player who have any animosity for him.
If the Bobby Knight way works so well why is he so unique? I mean if throwing a chair, choking players and smacking players is truly the way to "instill discipline" why have none of the coaches who have won NCAA championships since BK's last in 1987 followed in his bullying footsteps? You laud the BK way as "instilling discipline" when BK lacks self discipline. He would still be at IU if he wasn't so undisciplined. He doesn't have the self discipline to not strike a kid. Funny all the other Div one coaches seem to be able to resist the temptation except BK.

Compare Bobby Knight to John Wooden.

Absolutely.

America might "need discipline," but that has nothing to do with Bobby Knight.

Knight is one of the least disciplined individuals to ever coach the game of basketball. If you're going to be a real leader of young men, then you lead by example. You can yell and scream and grab facemasks and threaten and bark and choke all you want, but an intelligent person is going to look at your antics with other human beings and say, "You know what, this guy isn't practicing what he preaches to me."

[blueheretic]

I think this is a typical over-reaction from the Wuss Nation.

[blueheretic]

Sir Richard F. Burton wrote: catman4life wrote: It appears to me that those of you who want Bobby's head on a platter have never palyed a team sport, or if so, there was no competitiveness. I saw the incident in question and that was nothing more than a coach getting a players attention. I have been drug around by my facemask...poked in the chest so hard I thought his finger was gonna come out my back and ran suicides til I puked my guts out. It is called getting tough and learning discipline. That is what this generation, this country is lacking.....good old fashioned whip your butt with a belt when you act up discipline. I coach my players with the same vigor as Coach knight and I respect him for the discipline he instills in his players, never mind the fact that he graduates nearly 95% of them. Also, you will be hard pressed to find very many former player who have any animosity for him.
If the Bobby Knight way works so well why is he so unique? I mean if throwing a chair, choking players and smacking players is truly the way to "instill discipline" why have none of the coaches who have won NCAA championships since BK's last in 1987 followed in his bullying footsteps? You laud the BK way as "instilling discipline" when BK lacks self discipline. He would still be at IU if he wasn't so undisciplined. He doesn't have the self discipline to not strike a kid. Funny all the other Div one coaches seem to be able to resist the temptation except BK.

Compare Bobby Knight to John Wooden.


I think if Knight had a drug dealer paying off all or most of his talent as did Saint John, Knight would have 10 National Championships as well. Probably more.

How is that for a comparison?

[DCWildcat]

blueheretic wrote: I think this is a typical over-reaction from the Wuss Nation.



I do too.

A little slap on the chin will do nothing to this kid's self-concept or self-esteem. For those who are all up in arms that it will, ask yourself which does more damage: a chin slap or constant verbal berating from an authority figure.

[DaytonKat]

I've seen the video....yawn! I believe some are trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Some may let their dislike for Coach Knight taint how they view this non-incident.

[wildcatfaninnc]

freethrow wrote: wildcatfaninnc wrote: Sir Richard F. Burton wrote: The behavior would not be tolerated if any other Texas Tech employee slapped a student. But since this one TT employee is a winning coach then it's no "big deal".


Did Knight slap someone? No. Slapping and what Knight did are two different things and not even in the same ballpark.

This is a non-story. The parents have no problem with it.
Did Knight slap someone? Yes. It is as clear as clear can be. I would love to have seen the kid slap him right back and then see the fur fly over this. :D
If you consider that a slap -- so be it. Not even close to being a slap.

[delkfor3]

From what I'm gathering from this thread is that eventhough the kid said there was no problem, and his parents said there was no problem, some of you want Bobby Knights blood anyhow. Do you any of you that are raking Knight over the coals have any real concern for this kid, or do you just want to see Bobby Knight fry? If the player says there isn't a big deal then this issue should be dead. The players word should be the last word on this.

[freethrow]

delkfor3 wrote: From what I'm gathering from this thread is that eventhough the kid said there was no problem, and his parents said there was no problem, some of you want Bobby Knights blood anyhow. Do you any of you that are raking Knight over the coals have any real concern for this kid, or do you just want to see Bobby Knight fry? If the player says there isn't a big deal then this issue should be dead. The players word should be the last word on this.It's not about wanting his "blood", it's about not liking anyone in his sort of position putting their hands on kids in any way other than "good job". If I were a parent in the stands of a player that he did that too and I got a good look when he did so I would have probably came out of the stands after him. NOBODY (any other adult) lays a hand on my kid, ever. No reason is good enough.

[delkfor3]

freethrow wrote: delkfor3 wrote: From what I'm gathering from this thread is that eventhough the kid said there was no problem, and his parents said there was no problem, some of you want Bobby Knights blood anyhow. Do you any of you that are raking Knight over the coals have any real concern for this kid, or do you just want to see Bobby Knight fry? If the player says there isn't a big deal then this issue should be dead. The players word should be the last word on this.It's not about wanting his "blood", it's about not liking anyone in his sort of position putting their hands on kids in any way other than "good job". If I were a parent in the stands of a player that he did that too and I got a good look when he did so I would have probably came out of the stands after him. NOBODY (any other adult) lays a hand on my kid, ever. No reason is good enough.

Seeing that this is a college kid, it means he's over 18, and he can fend for himself, if the player thinks Knight was out of line, slap him right back. And are you really willing to subject your kid to the ridicule that he'll recieve from his peers, because daddy came from the stands, because he thinks the coach attacked his kid? That'll do more damage then anything a coach could do.

[freethrow]

delkfor3 wrote: freethrow wrote: delkfor3 wrote: From what I'm gathering from this thread is that eventhough the kid said there was no problem, and his parents said there was no problem, some of you want Bobby Knights blood anyhow. Do you any of you that are raking Knight over the coals have any real concern for this kid, or do you just want to see Bobby Knight fry? If the player says there isn't a big deal then this issue should be dead. The players word should be the last word on this.It's not about wanting his "blood", it's about not liking anyone in his sort of position putting their hands on kids in any way other than "good job". If I were a parent in the stands of a player that he did that too and I got a good look when he did so I would have probably came out of the stands after him. NOBODY (any other adult) lays a hand on my kid, ever. No reason is good enough.

Seeing that this is a college kid, it means he's over 18, and he can fend for himself, if the player thinks Knight was out of line, slap him right back. And are you really willing to subject your kid to the ridicule that he'll recieve from his peers, because daddy came from the stands, because he thinks the coach attacked his kid? That'll do more damage then anything a coach could do.The possible ridicule is something that would have hit me after my immediate reaction. Like this kids parents, I may have not made a big deal out of it because of just that. Possibly their reaction is due to the same thing? Doesn't matter though, slapping or chocking a kid in anger is waaaayyyyyy out of line IMO and a coach best not do so to one of my own. Had I not made an immediate reaction I would consult my kid about it. If he, as this kid probably did, wanted it not to become an issue, I would have probably let it go. It would not have kept me from speaking to the coach and advising him to NEVER do so again though.

[wildcatfaninnc]

delkfor3 wrote: freethrow wrote: delkfor3 wrote: From what I'm gathering from this thread is that eventhough the kid said there was no problem, and his parents said there was no problem, some of you want Bobby Knights blood anyhow. Do you any of you that are raking Knight over the coals have any real concern for this kid, or do you just want to see Bobby Knight fry? If the player says there isn't a big deal then this issue should be dead. The players word should be the last word on this.It's not about wanting his "blood", it's about not liking anyone in his sort of position putting their hands on kids in any way other than "good job". If I were a parent in the stands of a player that he did that too and I got a good look when he did so I would have probably came out of the stands after him. NOBODY (any other adult) lays a hand on my kid, ever. No reason is good enough.

Seeing that this is a college kid, it means he's over 18, and he can fend for himself, if the player thinks Knight was out of line, slap him right back. And are you really willing to subject your kid to the ridicule that he'll recieve from his peers, because daddy came from the stands, because he thinks the coach attacked his kid? That'll do more damage then anything a coach could do.:thumbup:thumbup:thumbup:thumbup Exactly! People are out for blood on this and it's nothing but non-sense. I bet Bobby would whup the parents that think they would come out of the stands. :lol:;)

[Art Vandelay]

The bottom line is if the player and his parents are okay with it, and they have said they are, then there is nothing to be discussed. As is often the case, this is much ado about nothing.

[delkfor3]

Look freethrow, I am not saying that Bobby Knight hasn't done some bad things in the past (Choking Neil Reed was one of them), but this is nothing really....if anything he looked as if he were trying to fire the kid up. I have seen that rat faced coach K do alot worse then what Knight just did.

[freethrow]

Art Vandelay wrote: The bottom line is if the player and his parents are okay with it, and they have said they are, then there is nothing to be discussed. As is often the case, this is much ado about nothing.Yeah, not a problem. We'll just wait until a coach slaps at a kid like that, the kid jerks his head back a bit, the coaches finger nail scrapes across the kids eye ripping out enough flesh so it can't be repaired, to give this sort of thing any merrit. Geeesh :shock:

[wildcatfaninnc]

freethrow wrote: Art Vandelay wrote: The bottom line is if the player and his parents are okay with it, and they have said they are, then there is nothing to be discussed. As is often the case, this is much ado about nothing.Yeah, not a problem. We'll just wait until a coach slaps at a kid like that, the kid jerks his head back a bit, the coaches finger nail scrapes across the kids eye ripping out enough flesh so it can't be repaired, to give this sort of thing any merrit. Geeesh :shock:

:rolleyes:

[freethrow]

delkfor3 wrote: Look freethrow, I am not saying that Bobby Knight hasn't done some bad things in the past (Choking Neil Reed was one of them), but this is nothing really....if anything he looked as if he were trying to fire the kid up. I have seen that rat faced coach K do alot worse then what Knight just did.Maybe he was just trying to "fire him up"? I still do not agree with the "hands on" method of doing so. :D

I don't remember The Rat hitting or choking a player? I have seen him yell at kid's though and if I could read lips I would have probably read some pretty foul language. Yelling and putting a kid on the bench, IMO, should be the limit of what a coach can do to get the kids attention.

[Sir Richard F. Burton]

blueheretic wrote: Sir Richard F. Burton wrote: catman4life wrote:


I think if Knight had a drug dealer paying off all or most of his talent as did Saint John, Knight would have 10 National Championships as well. Probably more.

How is that for a comparison?




I was comparing the character of two men John Wooden and Bob Knight.

Slamming a class act like Wooden with innuendo and 30 year old rumors of what an unscrupulous booster might allegedly have done is beside the point.

Wooden was a disciplined gentleman who instilled loyalty and discipline in his student athletes he did not ever act in a boorish manner and yet his results far overshadow those of Knight.

[wildcatcrazy]

Character and Bob Knight should not be allowed in the same sentence.

That said, let the guy coach. I am a parent of a kid that plays and he has had MUCH worse than that love tap done to him.

I also think--as we do when DUKE is plastered all over ESPN--that we need to know when we are being "had". ESPN made it into a huge story---because Bob Knight and Texas A & M were on ESPN last night.

Totally off the subject of the thread but ESPN is becoming a problem in big-time sports these days. They have WAY too much power and WAY too much arrogance.

All they promote is their games, their pet teams (i.e Duke)and superstars. Not goo IMO.

[sardiscat]

"I think this is a typical over-reaction from the Wuss Nation."

Agreed. I saw the tape. What Knight did was nothing, and the noise being made about it is a bunch of folks who have never accomplished anything trying to make themselves feel superior to the man who is going to hold the record for the most victories in college basketball history. Parents coming out of the stands because they don't like something the coach does are a ten times greater problem in sports than anything Knight has ever done.


"Slamming a class act like Wooden with innuendo and 30 year old rumors of what an unscrupulous booster might allegedly have done is beside the point."

There's nothing "allegedly" about it. Sam Gilbert'sgifts to UCLA players, which were so large that some of them stayed in school because they were getting more from Gilbert thanwhat they could make playing in the NBAback in those days, are fully documented in both grand jurytestimony andinvestigative reports compiled by the NCAA. Wooden himself has admitted that Gilbert did what Gilbert is accused of doing, but simply denied that it should taint UCLA's accomplishments under him. Wooden was untouchable, but he was no saint.One NCAA investigation concluded that Western,Providence, and UCLA all usedillegal players inthe 1971 NCAA tournament. Providence and Westernwere stripped of their 2nd and 3rdplace finishes, but UCLA was allowed to keep its championship.Go figure.

[TDog]

My opinion is that Knight probably wanted to get the player's attention, but smacked him a little harder than he intended. We don't know if he apologized to the player later on, in private. If he did, the public will not know unless the player divulges that.

As for the media frenzy, something tells me that somemembers are not happy that Knight is close to passing their darling, Dean Smith,on the winningest coaches list and are hoping to stir up enough commotion that Knight is fired and not given a chance to reach that milestone.

I am not a big fan of Knight because of his past comments about Kentucky, but I certainly respect him and think that he genuinely cares more about his players than Mr. American Express.

Here's hoping that Texas Tech sticks to its guns, gives a symbolic double-barrelled, one-fingered salute to the media and Coach Knight passes that gas bag, Smith, as the rightful owner of Coach Rupp's record, at least until Pukekeski unfortunately passes them all.

[Sir Richard F. Burton]

sardiscat wrote: "I think this is a typical over-reaction from the Wuss Nation."

Agreed. I saw the tape. What Knight did was nothing, and the noise being made about it is a bunch of folks who have never accomplished anything trying to make themselves feel superior to the man who is going to hold the record for the most victories in college basketball history. Parents coming out of the stands because they don't like something the coach does are a ten times greater problem in sports than anything Knight has ever done.


"Slamming a class act like Wooden with innuendo and 30 year old rumors of what an unscrupulous booster might allegedly have done is beside the point."

There's nothing "allegedly" about it. Sam Gilbert'sgifts to UCLA players, which were so large that some of them stayed in school because they were getting more from Gilbert thanwhat they could make playing in the NBAback in those days, are fully documented in both grand jurytestimony andinvestigative reports compiled by the NCAA. Wooden himself has admitted that Gilbert did what Gilbert is accused of doing, but simply denied that it should taint UCLA's accomplishments under him. Wooden was untouchable, but he was no saint.One NCAA investigation concluded that Western,Providence, and UCLA all usedillegal players inthe 1971 NCAA tournament. Providence and Westernwere stripped of their 2nd and 3rdplace finishes, but UCLA was allowed to keep its championship.Go figure.


Wooden claims he tried to stop Gilbert from dealing with his players I believe Wooden. There is a lot "allegedly" about the Gilbert relationship the innuendo is that Wooden was complicit in the NCAA violations of Gilbert and I disagree. I never claimed Wooden is a Saint I don't know where you got that. Woodend is a class act and a gentleman who was unable to stop an overeager booster seems that type of thing happens even in Lexington.

[WestTexCatFan]

I was sitting about 50 feet away and no one seem to think much about it when it happened. At last nights game Bobby was slapping the players on the arms. It made a good smack sound and everybody in the arena got a good laugh about it. The team played almost flawlessly in beating Little Rock so they apparently have not been affected. It was one of those situations where you accidently catch someone harder than you intended. I am sure Knight is a little embarrassed but everyone knows there were no malice behind it.

[trublue4life]

Anybody that signs with Knight and then is surprised by this is probably not smart enough to attend college. And, if Knight gets punished and/or suspended for this incident, then my high school coach should be sent to the pen!

[she~cat]

I couldnt care less about Bobby Knight and his tactics:rolleyes:

[teamchemistry09]

I absolutely love Bobby Knight. So yea hes got a bad rep because hes choked and hit kids and threw chairs on the court but so what. He coaches with so much passion and you gotta love that no matter who you are. He is out there to win the games he coaches. So he wanted his player to look at him while he was tearin him a new one and thats understandable. He may have hit him a little hard but it wont leave a bruise and it didnt break the kids jaw so forget it. If i could pick one coach to play for in college basketball besides Tubby it would def be Bobby Knight. The man is a coaching legend and genius.

[teamchemistry09]

I absolutely love Bobby Knight. So yea hes got a bad rep because hes choked and hit kids and threw chairs on the court but so what. He coaches with so much passion and you gotta love that no matter who you are. He is out there to win the games he coaches. So he wanted his player to look at him while he was tearin him a new one and thats understandable. He may have hit him a little hard but it wont leave a bruise and it didnt break the kids jaw so forget it. If i could pick one coach to play for in college basketball besides Tubby it would def be Bobby Knight. The man is a coaching legend and genius.

[Mr. T]

blueheretic wrote: I think this is a typical over-reaction from the Wuss Nation.




Yup, the wussification of America continues.....

[Caveman Catfan]

A whole lot of fuss over nothing, just another opportunity for people to bash Knight for past transgressions.

The kid, his parents, the athletic director all say they have no problem.

Why anyone has a problem is beyond me.

[wildcatcrazy]

Caveman,

I totally agree--but its not like Coach Knight didn't make this bed over a period of 30 years--and now he has to live with it.

I was surprised no one picked up on my earlier point--or perhaps I am the only one that feels this way.

Knight "slaps" the kid the day before a game on ESPN And ESPN plays it over and over and discussed it ad nauseum. Does anyone really think that is a coincidence?

I am not naive nor am I a chicken little but the clout and manipulating done by ESPN--and it is even worse now that they are a part of ABC--is absurd. We are to believe that every kid is the next Magic Johson or Michael Jordan (or that Lebron, Carmello and Dwade are the next superstars) not so much because they are great players (and they are) but because ESPN SAYS SO.

Before you disagree with that on its face--I believe most would agree that ESPN favors Duke and the ACC heavily. Could it be that is for financial reasons? Can you say "Yes".

To some extent--and to a great extent for the younger generation--ESPN is controlling what we think in the sports world. Am I that far out in left field with this thinking?

[blueheretic]

Sir Richard F. Burton wrote: blueheretic wrote: Sir Richard F. Burton wrote: catman4life wrote:


I think if Knight had a drug dealer paying off all or most of his talent as did Saint John, Knight would have 10 National Championships as well. Probably more.

How is that for a comparison?




I was comparing the character of two men John Wooden and Bob Knight.

Slamming a class act like Wooden with innuendo and 30 year old rumors of what an unscrupulous booster might allegedly have done is beside the point.

Wooden was a disciplined gentleman who instilled loyalty and discipline in his student athletes he did not ever act in a boorish manner and yet his results far overshadow those of Knight.





Great Character.

I'm sure he didn't know a thing about all of those pay offs, bribes, extra meals, vehicles, etc.

[KY Native in IN]

wildcatcrazy wrote:
Caveman,

I am not naive nor am I a chicken little but the clout and manipulating done by ESPN--and it is even worse now that they are a part of ABC--is absurd.Â* We are to believe that every kid is the next Magic Johson or Michael Jordan (or that Lebron, Carmello and Dwade are the next superstars) not so much because they are great players (and they are) but because ESPN SAYS SO.

Before you disagree with that on its face--I believe most would agree that ESPN favors Duke and the ACC heavily.Â* Could it be that is for financial reasons?Â* Can you say "Yes".

To some extent--and to a great extent for the younger generation--ESPN is controlling what we think in the sports world. Am I that far out in left field with this thinking?



it's all pretty sickening isn't it? i can't stand to watch espn for more than 3 minutes...even with college football, not just b-ball, i never watch it during b-ball season except for scores...i just can't stomach it....if it's not puke, UNC or UCONN it's non existent....but it's typical journalism BS....ESPN sucks:thumbdown

[catman4life]

The thing I find the most ironic is that Kinight said he was trying to tell the kid to "keep his chin up" after some mistake he had made. It wasn't like he was furious or berating the young man. Also, the kid and his family and the administration at TT are all FINE with this. Everyone else is the problem. Shut up, suck it up, toughen up or quit watching sports. Sports are physical. So are some of the teaching techniques that coaches employ. Also, I remember watching Coach K scream no more than 1/2" away from Wojo's face during the tourney. That's as bad or worse thana coach making you keep your eyes on him and your "chinup"IMHO.