Coach K: 2016 Olympics His Last as Coach

[Mark Gastineau]

The biggest difference that happened was that USA decided to take it slightly more seriously.

And you're totally unwilling to give Coach K any credit whatsoever for this development? From their glowing comments, seems like Kobe, Lebron, and Carmelo all would give him some credit:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...-others-congratulate-coach-k-on-ncaa-victory/

Lebron: “I’ve been to the highest mountain top with u 2x so last night wasn’t a surprise cause I know how GREAT you are at what u do!! My FAVORITE!! Congrats K!"

Carmelo: "To Measure A Man, Measure His Heart’ Congratulations to One of the greatest coaches of all time, Coach K."

How about what James Harden has to think?

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...usa-after-rio-james-harden-praises-his-style/

"He has revamped that entire USA basketball program and built it up the right way,” Harden said. “Every summer is a work in progress. We just try to get better. He has put so much time and effort into it and he is definitely deserving and has earned all the praise he gets.”

Harden said he was impressed with Krzyzewski’s knowledge of the game and his ability to manage his players right from the start.

“I’ve learned everything – leadership, working hard,” Harden said. “One thing I remember is that you have a lot of NBA talent, a lot of high profile athletes in one room on one team. Most coaches would say leave the egos outside and he said, ‘Bring your egos. That’s what makes you who you are. We’ll make it work.’

At the end of the day, the opinions of LeBron/Carmelo/Harden matter way more on this topic than the bitter rants of some of you on here.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

the boost in recruiting that it might bring

Last I checked, you can't recruit NBA players to play in college.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

so..you are saying players not showing up was the problem.

Because they didn't care about USA Basketball, mainly because many (like you) simply assume its predetermined that the USA will always win gold. History, however, clearly indicates that winning gold in basketball is far from a foregone conclusion.

Hate away. I'll listen to LeBron/Melo/Harden when it comes to Coach K's impact on USA Basketball. Your opinion means absolutely nothing when compared to what they have said.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

And you're totally unwilling to give Coach K any credit whatsoever for this development? From their glowing comments, seems like Kobe, Lebron, and Carmelo all would give him some credit:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...-others-congratulate-coach-k-on-ncaa-victory/

Lebron: “I’ve been to the highest mountain top with u 2x so last night wasn’t a surprise cause I know how GREAT you are at what u do!! My FAVORITE!! Congrats K!"

Carmelo: "To Measure A Man, Measure His Heart’ Congratulations to One of the greatest coaches of all time, Coach K."

How about what James Harden has to think?

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...usa-after-rio-james-harden-praises-his-style/

"He has revamped that entire USA basketball program and built it up the right way,” Harden said. “Every summer is a work in progress. We just try to get better. He has put so much time and effort into it and he is definitely deserving and has earned all the praise he gets.”

Harden said he was impressed with Krzyzewski’s knowledge of the game and his ability to manage his players right from the start.

“I’ve learned everything – leadership, working hard,” Harden said. “One thing I remember is that you have a lot of NBA talent, a lot of high profile athletes in one room on one team. Most coaches would say leave the egos outside and he said, ‘Bring your egos. That’s what makes you who you are. We’ll make it work.’

At the end of the day, the opinions of LeBron/Carmelo/Harden matter way more on this topic than the bitter rants of some of you on here.

rack

 

[WildMoon]

lol, you might want to check if i actually said those things. Where did i say Coach K didn't do shit or deserve zero credit....

I made fun of you because you proved more point for UK fans did than yourself.

Continue to suck ass in this argument!

 

[Mark Gastineau]

Continue to suck ass in this argument!

Harden/LeBron/Melo and the rest of Team USA agrees with me. I'll stick with that company, as opposed to the moron that said he wouldn't mind if Team USA lost the gold medal because Coach K was in charge.

 

[WitnessGreatness]

Jerry Colangelo is about 20 times more important to US Men's Basketball success than Coach K

 

[Mark Gastineau]

Jerry Colangelo is about 20 times more important to US Men's Basketball success than Coach K

And he hand-picked Coach K.

 

[Drcatfan]

Cal would be the perfect replacement:

1) Player friendly coach (top NBA players would want to play for him)
2) Good at taking multiple talented players and devising/adapting to a game plans that works
3) The best ever at managing multiple players with big egos
4) Good at the public relations aspect

 

[spotter34]

Pot, kettle, black.

I'm not trying to change your mind. You obviously are convinced about what you're arguing and that's fine with me but I'm just as convinced in my argument.

Here's a little article revisiting that 2004 team 10 years after the fact.

http://triangleoffense.com/features/ten-years-later-revisiting-team-usas-flop-in-the-2004-olympics/

I'm clearly not alone in my opinion. Let me know if I said anything different.

 

[spotter34]

Harden/LeBron/Melo and the rest of Team USA agrees with me. I'll stick with that company, as opposed to the moron that said he wouldn't mind if Team USA lost the gold medal because Coach K was in charge.

http://triangleoffense.com/features/ten-years-later-revisiting-team-usas-flop-in-the-2004-olympics/

I'm clearly not alone in my opinion.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

He's getting ready to saddle up and ride off into the sunset...

Should win gold, will be in the hunt for a title the next few years, maybe he'll win another...then it's curtains...there simply isn't anything more he can do for basketball in general and Duke...

Cal is the only candidate as far as I'm concerned to take over USA basketball...

Yep. I think K believes he has enough in the pipeline through his additional advantages to keep him set until hes ready to retire.

 

[spotter34]

In case you didn't open the link I attached, here's a little blurb in it that I thought was relevant to our discussion:

"What should jump off the page about the 2004 team’s roster is the lack of stars. Both the Dream Team that owned Barcelona and the 1996 team that won the gold in Atlanta sported the best of the best, as their international counterparts always do. The 2004 team screamed “meh,” mostly because the stars passed on the opportunity. USA Today pointed this out following the ass-whooping that Puerto Rico delivered:

Shaquille O’Neal, Jermaine O’Neal and Ben Wallace all cited fatigue; Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter and Ray Allen are getting married; Kobe Bryant’s trial for sexual assault is slated to begin this month; Jason Kidd, Karl Malone and Elton Brand are injured; and Mike Bibby and Tracy McGrady cited security concerns.

Allen Iverson and Tim Duncan were the best (and oldest) players on the team, but they clearly were not enough. LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony were coming off their rookie seasons; none were stars yet. Emeka Okafor was the team’s Christian Laettner, as he had yet to play a game in the NBA. As Simmons pointed out, Shawn Marion and Richard Jefferson were essentially the same player at that point, and their presence, along with LeBron and Melo’s, created an unnecessary surplus of small forwards. It was like having a healthy supply of cereal and no milk. On top of that, the 2004 team was far from intimidating. Argentina’s Juan “Pepe” Sanchez candidly told GQ that he actually had to explain to his teammates who some of Team USA’s players were. It’s hard to fear someone you’ve never heard of, a sentiment former NBA player and coach Paul Silas confirmed. “The problem that I see is that nobody fears this team,” Silas told USA Today. That’s a far cry from the Dream Team experience, when opponents would get slaughtered on-court and then ask to have their photos taken with Charles Barkley or MJ."

 

[Bigkyfan10]

Two thoughts:

1 -- I'd be astounded if Cal would ever get this gig. Rubs too many the wrong way.
2 -- Like him or not, Coach K will go down as the best coach in college basketball history...and I wouldn't argue against it.

I agree that coach K will probably end up being the best college basketball coach of all time(or second behind Wooden) I also believe that coach Cal will go down as the GOAT of recruiting.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I can't criticize K for keeping the seat. Whatever we'd done in the past is irrelevant - after a 6th place world championship finish and a 3rd place olympic finish, "the way we do things" was out the window and we needed to make whatever changes necessary to get back to winning. We've done that, and continuity has been a huge part of that.

Those teams were inferior compared to what we're seeing on the roster now. K should get credit for helping gather the current players, but he's not some sort of miracle worker who took the same amount of talent and did more with it.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Our problem was continuity and having the best players actually play. Coach K solved those problems, and keeping one coach and one plan in place over the course of several Olympics was a smart move, both for Team USA and for Coach K. Both sides benefitted greatly.

Hard to knock them, except for the fact that it sucks that he gained such access to recruits. But again, that's smart on his part and the product speaks for itself. Can't let jealously cloud reality.

 

[spotter34]

Harden/LeBron/Melo and the rest of Team USA agrees with me. I'll stick with that company, as opposed to the moron that said he wouldn't mind if Team USA lost the gold medal because Coach K was in charge.

Because they didn't care about USA Basketball, mainly because many (like you) simply assume its predetermined that the USA will always win gold. History, however, clearly indicates that winning gold in basketball is far from a foregone conclusion.

Hate away. I'll listen to LeBron/Melo/Harden when it comes to Coach K's impact on USA Basketball. Your opinion means absolutely nothing when compared to what they have said.

You obviously don't know much about our Olympic basketball history. It is pretty much predetermined that the USA WILL always win the gold medal. We have 14 gold, 1 silver (which we still haven't accepted because we got robbed in 1972), and 2 bronze in 1988 and 2004. That is as dominant as you can get. So yeah, most of the basketball world expects the USA to win the gold medal in the Olympics.

I guess you don't care to respond to the link I provided. It pretty much shoots down your opinion.

RACK

 

[2Dope15]

SportsCenter ‏@SportsCenter 4m4 minutes ago

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski says the 2016 Olympics will be his last one coaching the USA men's basketball team. http://es.pn/1PBOTrn

Wow I just asked about this is a post yesterday, if he has to step down or not. I must be good luck or something.

 

[StubbornPenny]

People forget, after 2004, (I think it was) jerry colangelo desperately wanted a consistent coach in order to lure the best NBA talent. As the best of the best then was Kobe, and Kobe loves Coach K, not to mention being a Hall Of Fame coach, it was an easy choice. K did not "abuse the seat" by becoming some dictator.

As far recruiting advantages, yes it is one. So is having the Joe Craft center, 8 national titles and 3 #1 picks in the draft. Would you expect Cal to downplay any of that? Then why expect K to?

The only legit thing to bitch about was K desperately trying to include a Plumlee on team USA over Cousins. Even if it was just a motivational tactic, it was glaringly stupid and biased.

Other than that, I don't like K, and there's no doubt he gets preferential treatment, but he's a hell of a coach and I respect him.

 

[UK90]

I think Calipari would be a very viable candidate. Not only would almost the entire roster be guys he knows, has recruited or played for him, he's got the perfect demeanor and personality to manage the squad.

The biggest question would be...does Cal WANT the job?

Are you serious? Dude, Cal took the friggin Dominican Republic job when it was offered, and you're asking whether he'd want to be the TEAM USA coach? OF COURSE, he'd want it.

But he might be facing long odds to get the offer. I've a feeling they might go the NBA route for the next guy. Maybe Popovich as a the capper to his incredible career. Guess we'll see soon.

 

[DodgerDukie1985]

He's getting ready to saddle up and ride off into the sunset...

Should win gold, will be in the hunt for a title the next few years, maybe he'll win another...then it's curtains...there simply isn't anything more he can do for basketball in general and Duke...

It all comes down to how much longer he has the passion and energy for it since, as you said, he doesn't have to do any more to cement his legacy. At this point, his passion and energy is still very much there. IMO he'll stay at Duke until we get to somewhere between 2020 and 2022 and leave with around 1100 total wins at Duke (his first 73 wins were at Army, so he hasn't gotten to 1000 at Duke quite yet) and hopefully for Duke fans, another national championship or two.

Also, has it ever occurred to you that Team USA invited many players that declined the invitation, likely due to an attitude such as "We're supposed to win gold medals in basketball."

I'd have said Shaq, Kobe, KG and Kidd. But Shaq and KG declined while Kobe and Kidd were dealing with injuries.

 

[screwduke]

so..you are saying players not showing up was the problem.

 

[RR30]

K deserves every credit in the world for making it "fun" to play for team USA again. Everyone wants to play for them now and the young talent (18 & under) is getting involved from a young age ensuring they will continue to be great.

 

[RR30]

Last I checked, you can't recruit NBA players to play in college.

I agree with most of what you say on this topic but this is wrong. Read Woj's article about Team USA and K from awhile back. K privately met with the u19 team despite having nothing to do with them.

 

[UKDUNK]

Last I checked, you can't recruit NBA players to play in college.

Great response. You do know that USA basketball extends beyond the senior team, right? Many college coaches have complained about the contact K has had with the U18 teams since he has been apart of USA basketball thinking it provided an unfair recruiting advantage.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

K privately met with the u19 team despite having nothing to do with them.

Privately met? It was a pep talk to the team.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

Great response. You do know that USA basketball extends beyond the senior team, right?

Fully aware. Also fully aware that Coach K is only in charge of the senior team, and any contact he has had with players in the youth program has been very limited.

Where are the cries about Sean Miller's unfair advantage? He actually coaches the U-19 team and has been in charge for several years. What about Billy Donovan before that? Where are the cries about unfair advantages for the coaches that actually coach the youth players? Would someone please care to address this?

 

[Mark Gastineau]

Where are the cries about Sean Miller's unfair advantage? He actually coaches the U-19 team and has been in charge for several years. What about Billy Donovan before that? Where are the cries about unfair advantages for the coaches that actually coach the youth players? Would someone please care to address this?

Bueller? Anyone?

 

[spotter34]

Bueller? Anyone?

You're right, that is an unfair advantage for them also but they haven't proven they can win a championship (well Donovan has but he's gone to the NBA now). So jury still out on Miller. If he starts to do something with the players he is getting (win a championship or get to a FF) I guarantee the crying over "unfair advantage" will get louder.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

You're right, that is an unfair advantage for them also but they haven't proven they can win a championship (well Donovan has but he's gone to the NBA now). So jury still out on Miller. If he starts to do something with the players he is getting (win a championship or get to a FF) I guarantee the crying over "unfair advantage" will get louder.

So, you admit they have an unfair advantage. Yet, it doesn't count because they can't win a title with the unfair advantage? Even though Miller/Donovan actually coach/coached these kids, as opposed to just giving them the occasional pep talk?

That is some seriously questionable logic on your part. Seriously, seriously questionable.

 

[RR30]

Privately met? It was a pep talk to the team.

He met with each player individually privately. Hardly a pep talk to the team.

 

[spotter34]

Geez, I thought the "You're right" at the beginning of my post would suffice. I'm admitting there probably is a double standard based on how kids perceive these coaches. Is a kid going to be more "awe struck" meeting and talking with coach K or Sean Miller, or even Billy Donovan? I'm not saying that makes it okay, I'm just saying K brings out a lot more attention (good and bad) to the fact of where he is and who he's around, primarily because he wins championships with these kinds of kids. Now this is just my opinion but I can see this being the case.

Quit being so defensive and just talk college basketball. We all know you're a dUKe fan and we're all Kentucky fans. I like to read opposing views from rival fans but you have to expect you're going to read a lot of opposing views on this board.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

He met with each player individually privately. Hardly a pep talk to the team.

Hm. I guess I was mistaken. Do you have a link confirming these individual meetings?

 

[Mark Gastineau]

Geez, I thought the "You're right" at the beginning of my post would suffice. I'm admitting there probably is a double standard based on how kids perceive these coaches. Is a kid going to be more "awe struck" meeting and talking with coach K or Sean Miller, or even Billy Donovan? I'm not saying that makes it okay, I'm just saying K brings out a lot more attention (good and bad) to the fact of where he is and who he's around, primarily because he wins championships with these kinds of kids. Now this is just my opinion but I can see this being the case.

Quit being so defensive and just talk college basketball. We all know you're a dUKe fan and we're all Kentucky fans. I like to read opposing views from rival fans but you have to expect you're going to read a lot of opposing views on this board.

Coaching these kids like Miller and Donovan constitutes a much more substantial relationship than the brief encounters Coach K has had with them. If you want to make it seem like Coach K still has more of an unfair advantage, then that's your perogative. I will whole-heartedly disagree.

 

[spotter34]

Mark, do you not agree K's "aura" is off the charts compared to Miller and Donovan? It's like who draws more attention on the "red carpet", Jack Black or Tom Hanks?

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Who cares if he was the best or the worst at this point.

"He gone"

Duke trolls can argue the above point all they want. Doesn't matter. Coach K is losing a huge draw for recruiting and I'd bet my savings that it's simply because coaching USA and Duke is way too taxing at his age. Bummer. Hopefully he loses the energy to coach Duke in a few years. Good riddance.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

BTW, Our recruiting is already trending backup after grabbing two recruits from Duke, and theirs has leveled off a bit, even if they grab Giles. Kentucky is already back in the drivers seat of College Basketball after dipping to #2 for MAYBE a year and a half.

Feels good to be #1 again, especially when Duke just got their first blow to having an aging coach. This won't be the last. Good luck in 2020, lmfao.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

Mark, do you not agree K's "aura" is off the charts compared to Miller and Donovan?

What does that have to do with the "unfair advantage" discussion?

If you're going to start talking about Coach K's "aura" and how that is an unfair advantage, then I don't know what to tell you. It's almost as if you're implying it's unfair he has the titles and career record he has.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

and theirs has leveled off a bit, even if they grab Giles

Leveled off? 2 5-star recruits on board. Another one more than likely. Past two classes universally ranked in the top-2. This class headed for at least top-3. Not sure what you're talking about.

Feels good to be #1 again, especially when Duke just got their first blow to having an aging coach. This won't be the last. Good luck in 2020, lmfao.

Come again? First blow? Would that be winning the title last year, being poised to win the gold next year, bringing in back-to-back top-2 classes, or having another class that will finish top-3 at worst this season? Or would this be in reference to you guys landing Gabriel?

 

[LineSkiCat14]

First blow with Coach K bowing out of Olympics, nothing to do with winning the title. Keep up.

IMO, CoachK just cant swing both jobs. He's going to lose that recruiting advantage come 2017/2018. Has nothing to do with his admittedly exceptional recruiting last 2 years.. but that was in part due to Team USA.

I think you're seeing age take a toll on Coach K, just like it would anyone else. And you can argue (and I'm sure you will), that he can now focus 100% on Duke.. he seemed to do BETTER with Duke when he was coaching Team USA.