Bob Knight has passed.
- Thread starter fisherscatfan
- Start date
If by lots of experience you mean seeing Bob Knight being an asshole while being watched by millions of people then yes, as UK fans who obsess over college basketball and have intimate knowledge of Bob Knight’s assholeishness over 25+ years because we were paying attention, we are authorities on the topic of assholes.
Will never see that type of coaching in this area.....Three great coaches...6 National titles combines.
Damn those were the days man
I’m sorry for Knight and his family. Obviously, it’s not a personal loss to any of us who only knew him as a coach of a rival team and media personality. But I do know that the number of games won or lost doesn’t make anyone a better or worse person. I think a few fans have a real hard time separating character of a person from the enjoyment they got from rooting for their favorite player or a coach who won a lot of games while coaching their favorite team. They become a major apologist and seem to idolize the person to the point that they ascribe all kinds of great qualities to the coach/player – even if that coach/player exhibits every sign of being a jerk (using a nicer word than what I’m thinking, but you get the point) in most other dealings and parts of their life. I would lump Knight, Pitino and Pete Rose all in that category.
For me Rose and Pitino would be like Knight is for long-time Indiana fans. I think there is very little positive to say about the character of any of the three. But I (and most fans) can separate the two things; and enjoy rooting for, and the winning of games by, a team without having to deify a coach/player who might not deserve much respect as a person.
So, in keeping with the respect of saying something good about a person recently deceased, Knight was an innovative coach (credited with the boom of the motion offense replacing set plays) capable of guiding teams to wins in situations when most other coaches likely would not have.
For me Rose and Pitino would be like Knight is for long-time Indiana fans. I think there is very little positive to say about the character of any of the three. But I (and most fans) can separate the two things; and enjoy rooting for, and the winning of games by, a team without having to deify a coach/player who might not deserve much respect as a person.
So, in keeping with the respect of saying something good about a person recently deceased, Knight was an innovative coach (credited with the boom of the motion offense replacing set plays) capable of guiding teams to wins in situations when most other coaches likely would not have.
How often did you "see" Knight, OFF camera? You are basing your opinion on two tings:
1. You are "that" UK fan...
2. What you saw on TV
Good avenue to take there, bud...
I’ve read some insane shit on this board over almost 20 years but the people defending this guy in any way, shape or form takes the cake for me. It’s sad that as a human being who was loved by his family members that he deteriorated and died. That’s it.
Trying to convince me that because Bob Knight donated to a charity or has former players that like him that I should think he’s a good guy is like trying to convince me that John Wayne Gacy was a good guy because he dressed up as a clown and went to some kids’ birthday parties and made them laugh.
Trying to convince me that because Bob Knight donated to a charity or has former players that like him that I should think he’s a good guy is like trying to convince me that John Wayne Gacy was a good guy because he dressed up as a clown and went to some kids’ birthday parties and made them laugh.
A good post....But to add...
Most only see these coaches, well, as coaches---and not people---Or what they have done for others, their communities, etc...
Knights, "good deeds" have been well documented. From Ryan White, to Landon Turner. Amongst other countless gestures of kindness.
Knight is a difficult puzzle---a complicated story. From a kind, caring, laughing dude---to a freaking manica in a blink. Said what he felt, with no regard to the reprussions of his words, and.or actions.
I had the forutne of meeting Coach Knight on many of occassions---as an official, and as a fan...Not all encounters where the same.
I'll never condone some his actions. They were inexusable. But they were not that to condemn him either.
He was an easy guy to like---but an even easier guy to hate.
God that’s even worse. He knew he was being watched by millions of people and still did what he did. Can’t even imagine what off camera Bob Knight would be like.
Most of us normally crappy people, if we knew we were being watched by millions of people, would pretend to be good people. But not the General.
Imagine being “that” fan of a megalomaniacal sadist. I’m real comfortable with the avenue of my fandom if it’s different than yours.
Great comaprison here, bro..
John Wayne Gacy to Bob Knight.
And you are talking abkut others talking insane?
JFC...
Naaaah----Youre simply one of those folks, bro,,,,
let me guess---Your lawn is perfect...you do the laundry perfect...your hair cut is perfect.
Blah,blah and blah..
You only know Kight as a coach, and what you saw on television. Ot the media. You have no idea how the guy was off the floor, i.e---REAL LIFE. When 99% of your players are thanking for being the guide to where they are in life........
My guess is you done something right.
RIP to a great coach who was loved by (most of) his players and fans. Hall, Crum, Knight...we've lost a lot of the HoF old guard recently.
Facts. Could be a dick...an asshole...smartass. Bullying. Mean.
All facts. But he had a very kindhearted side...caring...Very loyal friend. And remembered everyones name.
Like I said, complicated human being. But not the devil.
Yeah, few people are all bad - and Knight certainly wasn't either. I've heard the things you're referring to before as examples of Knight "really being a good person." But I don't buy it even a little bit. That strikes me as classic apologist talking. But then again, you deserve to have your own opinion whether I respect it as unbiased and well-reasoned or not.
Complicated dude....I think the persuit of perfection, enabled Knight. Another problem was, he wanted respect more than he wnated to give it...That doesnt always work, MOF, it never does. He was demanding...He was an ass. And theres no defending that.
But his acts of kindness were genuine. And I've heard countless more from HS coaches, to restaraunt owners, ie. Joe Huber.
I had the pleasure and sometimes, not the pleasure of meeting Knight on many of occasion. At times it seemed as if I was meeting an entirely different person, each time.
I can accept the criticism of him. Its deserved.
Actually I apologize, you’re right. One person raped people while the other one only told rape victims to make lemonade out of lemons.
There’s a real easy solution here if you don’t like my take.
I’m breaking my own rule of not engaging with people who overuse “bro”, but I’ll respond one more time and be done.
If your argument is “yeah bro but you didn’t know the real Bob Knight behind closed doors” then yes, no shit, I did not have access to the private life of Bob Knight. I’m guessing neither did you but I’m sure you met him once at a Denny’s or something so I know you’re upset that a UK fan on a UK message board is tarnishing his legacy lol.
The only Bob Knight I knew, as a PUBLIC FIGURE, was a reprehensible person.
Just as an aside I have a pretty good lawn, I don’t do much laundry but my wife prefers it that way, and my current haircut sucks.
Basketball genius, watching a Bobby Knight offense was often a thing of beauty. Much like Bear Bryant had his own personal demons that he never really overcame. While admiring his coaching abilities I could never get past the FACT that the man was a bully. Never forgot the game he kept hitting Coach Hall on head during warmups. I always thought somebody needed to give him the ass whippin he so desperately needed. Never heard of it happening so I guess he got away with ot his whole life
Knight was a Great coach and had zero filter. He had a lot of flaws and seemed like a miserable human being to be around, at least based on his public actions. But I never met the man and as I get older, I try to be less judgmental considering some of stuff I have done in my lifetime. Unless the person is a UL fan, then I reserve the right to be completely judgmental.
Honestly, I’ve never heard anything good about him from anyone that was being candid. He was a bully and an asshole and no amount of basketball intuition can wash that out
Man was a great coach. Came close to a 100% grad rate at Indiana.
The game between the Cats and Hoosiers was the biggest game of the year for many years.
Rest in peace coach
The game between the Cats and Hoosiers was the biggest game of the year for many years.
Rest in peace coach
Hearing that Coach knight has passed is saddening Growing up, he was the man I most loved to hate. When I was 5 years old I had never heard of Hitler or Stalin. In our house, Bob Knight was the only name I knew that was ok to hate. IU was the most bitter rival and he personified that animosity. Beating iU then was a thing of joy. Losing to them felt like what I imagined dying to feel like.
In truth, he may have been the best basketball coach to ever walk the sidelines (or throw a chair on the court).
His arrogance and disdain for the media made it easier to dislike him, but his post game press conferences were wildly entertaining and frequently rang true.
He was a brilliant, flawed, and complicated man. His participation in the Kentucky and Indiana rivalry deepened my passion for UK basketball and the game of basketball itself. Rest in peace General.
In truth, he may have been the best basketball coach to ever walk the sidelines (or throw a chair on the court).
His arrogance and disdain for the media made it easier to dislike him, but his post game press conferences were wildly entertaining and frequently rang true.
He was a brilliant, flawed, and complicated man. His participation in the Kentucky and Indiana rivalry deepened my passion for UK basketball and the game of basketball itself. Rest in peace General.
Well I don’t like anyone dying because who knows what’s out there in the great beyond. However I can never like a man that donkey slaps any man as he’s walking away. That’s just wrong
Knight was much tamer in his non-coaching days. I think K took that title and still has it.
I'd always heard that Knight was actually a pretty nice guy off the court. Just had a very gruff personality and could be a little cocky.
Either way, his late health issues and now his passing make him pretty much even with the world.
One of the most iconic moments in all of sports. It has been parodied in multiple media, referenced in books, TV shows (including in a Pinky and the Brain cartoon where Brain tries to pose as a college athlete and meets Knight who introduces them to his friend "Chair"), and replayed in nearly every conversation about IU and college basketball.
I didn't like him personally, but always respected his coaching abilities. He was probably one of the top 2 or 3 best X's and O's coaches ever. Maybe THE best.
Before Rick Pitino “turned heel” by taking the Louisville job, Bob Knight reigned supreme as the ultimate Kentucky men’s basketball coaching “villain.” In the 1970s and early ‘80s, the battles between the longtime Indiana coach (1971-2000) and UK crackled with a fervor that made Wildcats-Hoosiers the most-compelling rivalry in college hoops. Knight, who died Wednesday at age 83, coached against Kentucky 33 times — once as head man at Army, 32 times while leading Indiana. The 15 victories Knight achieved vs. UK are tied for the third most by any opposing coach ever against Kentucky.
After taking the Indiana job in 1971, Knight won his first five games and six of his first seven against the Wildcats. Yet the defining moments of Knight’s history with Kentucky came in a two-part melodrama during the 1974-75 season. On Dec. 7, 1974, in the last minute of what was a 98-74 dismantling of Joe B. Hall’s Wildcats by Knight’s Hoosiers in Bloomington, the two head coaches exchanged words in front of the Kentucky bench. At the end of that exchange, Hall turned to walk away. As he did, Knight reached up and cuffed him on the back of the head. Knight long maintained the act was playful. On a seething Kentucky bench, however, the action was perceived as “Bobby Knight acting like a bully,” ex-UK star Kevin Grevey once told me. “The slap” forever altered the relationship between Hall and Knight. Until that day, they were fishing buddies and considered each other friends.
After the slap, it was war. In his 2002 book “Knight: My Story,” the former Indiana head man wrote of Hall, “From that moment on, I had no respect for the guy.” During a 2003 interview, Hall used the same, exact phrase in reverse. “I had no respect for the guy,” the ex-UK coach said of his feelings toward Knight after the head slap. Of course, the 1974-75 drama between Knight and Hall, Indiana and Kentucky, had a second act. On March 22, 1975, in Dayton, Ohio, UK guards Mike Flynn and Jimmy Dan Conner — freed because Hall and his coaching staff had found a systemic flaw that could be exploited on the weak side of Knight’s sagging man-to-man defense — led the Cats to an epic 92-90 NCAA Tournament upset of the previously unbeaten Hoosiers that sent Kentucky to the Final Four. It was the only loss Knight’s signature Indiana team suffered over the 1974-75 and 1975-76 seasons. To this day, some of us consider it the greatest win in Kentucky’s regal men’s basketball history.
Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/mark-story/article281338843.html#storylink=cpy
After taking the Indiana job in 1971, Knight won his first five games and six of his first seven against the Wildcats. Yet the defining moments of Knight’s history with Kentucky came in a two-part melodrama during the 1974-75 season. On Dec. 7, 1974, in the last minute of what was a 98-74 dismantling of Joe B. Hall’s Wildcats by Knight’s Hoosiers in Bloomington, the two head coaches exchanged words in front of the Kentucky bench. At the end of that exchange, Hall turned to walk away. As he did, Knight reached up and cuffed him on the back of the head. Knight long maintained the act was playful. On a seething Kentucky bench, however, the action was perceived as “Bobby Knight acting like a bully,” ex-UK star Kevin Grevey once told me. “The slap” forever altered the relationship between Hall and Knight. Until that day, they were fishing buddies and considered each other friends.
After the slap, it was war. In his 2002 book “Knight: My Story,” the former Indiana head man wrote of Hall, “From that moment on, I had no respect for the guy.” During a 2003 interview, Hall used the same, exact phrase in reverse. “I had no respect for the guy,” the ex-UK coach said of his feelings toward Knight after the head slap. Of course, the 1974-75 drama between Knight and Hall, Indiana and Kentucky, had a second act. On March 22, 1975, in Dayton, Ohio, UK guards Mike Flynn and Jimmy Dan Conner — freed because Hall and his coaching staff had found a systemic flaw that could be exploited on the weak side of Knight’s sagging man-to-man defense — led the Cats to an epic 92-90 NCAA Tournament upset of the previously unbeaten Hoosiers that sent Kentucky to the Final Four. It was the only loss Knight’s signature Indiana team suffered over the 1974-75 and 1975-76 seasons. To this day, some of us consider it the greatest win in Kentucky’s regal men’s basketball history.
Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/mark-story/article281338843.html#storylink=cpy
Similar threads
