|
|
Post by bsu0 on Nov 2, 2023 10:18:54 GMT -6
Bob Knight is gone but not forgotten...It is a shame that a large part of his legacy will be his constant ability to show the public how big a jerk he could be. He was one of the great basketball coaches and a great friend to many but he could be a school yard bully and a world class ass much of the time.
|
|
|
|
Post by williamtsherman on Nov 2, 2023 11:17:57 GMT -6
If I were an IU fan, which I'm not, I'd point to all his wins and championships and tell anyone who didn't like him to go pound sand.
|
|
|
|
Post by 00hmh on Nov 2, 2023 14:51:28 GMT -6
Of the obits I wanted to read this one I waited on Hammel, is a gentle, soft spoken, unassuming man who became a good friend with his total opposite in Bob Knight. He had recent contact and a long history of trying to blunt Knight's worst impulses. With mixed results.
Hammel makes a point any who knew Knight would attest to. In private moments it was clear he valued the game of Basketball above his own ego and truly admired and revered coaches who had influenced him and always valued professionalism of his coaching peers.
He influenced a generation or two of other college and high school coaches and worked with them (including Rick Majerus) and in that area he was truly professional and contributed to the Sport.
Some coaches like Muncie Central's Bill Harrel, an old school coach as you might meet, never liked him, there was an ego clash that was inevitable in many cases, but nobody ever failed to recognize he saw things on the court and could teach and create team play as well or better than anyone.
Knight was controversial among faculty, many considering him an embarrassment. Surprisingly, at a liberal institution, many others knew him and respected him as a supporter of academics, both financially to library and programs, but also in terms of standing for excellence and encouraging his players and other students in that academic context.
My own thoughts are that in his professional life he was a perfectionist and genius on the court, a flawed and temperamental one, who I compare to a great conductor of a symphony orchestra who has a love of his art, and a love hate relationship with his musicians. In public life he was an ass too often. In private life mostly something else than either.
Those warring aspects of his life, his genuine values and ideals, were often in conflict with his impulses and ego. All of that internal turmoil overlapped with his relationship with his players and personal friends and those conflicts made him most difficult to understand.
|
|
|
|
Post by coastalcard on Nov 2, 2023 15:09:34 GMT -6
Knight’s family encouraged donations to Marian University in lieu of flowers. I assume Knight had ties to Marian in his later years? 🤷‍♂️
|
|
|
|
Post by 00hmh on Nov 2, 2023 15:20:08 GMT -6
Knight’s family encouraged donations to Marian University in lieu of flowers. I assume Knight had ties to Marian in his later years? 🤷‍♂️ Steve Downing AD there. |
|
|
|
Post by yorgz on Nov 2, 2023 16:51:32 GMT -6
Bob Knight is gone but not forgotten...It is a shame that a large part of his legacy will be his constant ability to show the public how big a jerk he could be. He was one of the great basketball coaches and a great friend to many but he could be a school yard bully and a world class ass much of the time. Whats the point in this comment. Jealousy? |
|
|
|
Post by JacksonStreetElite on Nov 2, 2023 17:34:18 GMT -6
Bob Knight is gone but not forgotten...It is a shame that a large part of his legacy will be his constant ability to show the public how big a jerk he could be. He was one of the great basketball coaches and a great friend to many but he could be a school yard bully and a world class ass much of the time. Whats the point in this comment. Jealousy? Reflection? |
|
|
|
Post by yorgz on Nov 2, 2023 17:46:24 GMT -6
Whats the point in this comment. Jealousy? Reflection? A man dies and the first thing he says is that he was a jerk. But yes…reflection |
|
|
|
Post by coastalcard on Nov 2, 2023 17:59:55 GMT -6
A man dies and the first thing he says is that he was a jerk. But yes…reflection Unfortunately, that’s pretty much how he wanted to be remembered. "When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed, I want them to bury me upside down, and my critics can kiss my ass!" |
|
|
|
Post by 00hmh on Nov 2, 2023 18:46:32 GMT -6
A man dies and the first thing he says is that he was a jerk. But yes…reflection Unfortunately, that’s pretty much how he wanted to be remembered. "When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed, I want them to bury me upside down, and my critics can kiss my ass!" It's not simple. That statement from the public Knight does show he didn't care about his critics. Truth is his lack of impulse control and ego and his perfectionism were often real flaws. Entangled with his genuine artistry and admirable values. The professional and private part of the man appreciated fans, players, colleagues and history. I'd say he wanted to be remembered for his part in BB history as a coach, an architect of teams, and as a mentor and often a friend to players and other coaches. Too much of his life says that was important. He accepted that many hated him, believed that controversy and criticism came with his role. That's the contradiction an obituary has to capture. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/11/02/bob-knight-john-feinstein/Feinstein's take has interesting quote about saying stupid things. |
|
|
|
Post by rusty on Nov 2, 2023 20:04:40 GMT -6
The man was a remarkable coach and person.
He was a jerk when it came to coaching and his remarks to the press. Ask most who played for him openly displayed their love for the man. He gave them all the tools to succeed on and of the court. Steve Alford quote: I’m a mess I really loved the man!
Love or hate him he was one of the greatest coach’s in the history of NCAA basketball.
|
|
