12/21/24
April 01, 2016
SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
Didn't get much from the actual article, but the tennis lesson link was an interesting distraction.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:40 AM on April 01, 2016
Something about Mike Krzyzewski wanting to change his last name to Cameron so people would think the Duke basketball facility was named after him while he was still coaching, like the heels at UNC did for Dean Smith.
Also something about past winners of the AP Coach of the Year award including guys like Frank Haith, Matt Doherty, Clem Haskins, Kelvin Sampson, and Larry Eustachy. But not Krzyzewski.
posted by beaverboard at 12:28 PM on April 01, 2016
I've always viewed Coach K as top notch in both the ability to motivate his players and in getting a cast of stars to play together as a team. When it comes to game planning and in game adjustments I don't hold him in high regard. Certainly nothing wrong with having a coach who will attract 4 top recruits annually and deliver a National Championship every six years even if he most likely* never wins coach of the year accolades.
(* Both John Calipari and Matt Doherty have been acclaimed coach of the year so anything is possible.)
Bill Self did an amazing job once again this year at KU with a team comprised of good but not great players. It's rare that a team without a single player likely ever to start in an NBA game finishes the season ranked #1. His loss to Villanova is certainly not a blemish as the Wildcats had more talent and also a great strategist in Jay Wright. Self's teams consistently win games they shouldn't because of the job he does.
posted by cixelsyd at 03:10 PM on April 01, 2016
Anyone see a good April Fool's prank today? I've not hit the office yet but this Daily Star piece had me breathless for a moment.