What's Next For Coach K... The NBA?
by TWSSO
on Aug 20, 2008 3:26 PM MDT
Barring a complete collapse by the Americans in Beijing, they'll be bringing the gold back home to America. After a disappointing showing in Greece the Americans needed to look at how they prepared themselves for international play. They could no longer just show up, play, and win. International play is much different then the NBA and play has improved vastly in the last ten years. In international play the three point line is only 20'6", there's a triangular key with no restricted area, and tough play is encouraged and allowed.
Jerry Colangelo was hired to put together a senior national team that could stick together leading up to the '08 Olympics in Beijing. His first objective was to find a coach willing to give him the same commitment he was gonna get from members on the team. Coach K was interviewed and agreed to be the coach. The three year program got off to a bumpy start when the Americans lost in the semi-finals of the '06 World Championships in Japan. Coach K was criticized for his lack of respect for opposing players when calling them by number rather then name after losing. Coach K also took a lot of heat for the way he coached and made or didn't make adjustments when the US lost.
There's no doubt this team is focused and on a mission to prove everyone wrong. They're focused, determined, and look like an actual team with star studded players. This time around Coach K and his players are respecting their opponents and the NBA players are respecting Coach K. The way Coach K has taken individual stars from the NBA and transformed them into what now makes the senior national team is nothing short of amazing. I'm sure there's GMs from across the league that have taken notice and will be contacting Coach K about vacant coaching jobs following the upcoming season after seeing how he's handled the egos of NBA stars. It's only a matter of time before he makes the jump to the NBA. Teams with money, star players, and no coach will present him with an offer second to none; but will it be enough to pry him away from Duke? Only time will tell but it's my opinion that you'll see Coach K coaching in the NBA in the next year or two.
All comments are the opinion of the commenter and not necessarily that of SLC Dunk or SB Nation.
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I think he probably gets offers every year
But he’s in the perfect situation where he’s at. I don’t think he has any desire to leave.
That said, I think he would be one of the only successful coaches to make the leap (if you can call it that). Carmelo stated something to the fact that none of the men’s team knew what to expect from a college coach. But it’s easy to see that he’s earned their respect and that they play hard for him. That alone gives him the edge over all of the previous college coaches that have tried the NBA. If you can get Carmelo to play hard for you, that’s saying something.
by Basketball John on Aug 20, 2008 5:49 PM MDT 0 recs
Getting Carmelo to play
I don’t know if he’s done much for Carmelo other than letting him start and shoot long balls whenever he wants to. Carmelo said he was going to try to get 10 rebounds a game. Has K held him to that goal? If the game gets close, does K keep Carmelo on the floor? It’s difficult to judge K’s job coaching. Moreover, if he had a real NBA team, there would be players he DIDN’T recruit, unlike Duke and Team USA and he’d have some headaches he’s never experienced before.
I think Deron, Tayshaun, Redd, Boozer (at 4) and Bosh (at 5) could beat the starters in a 40 minute game of FIBA. Just thought I’d add that in here.
My team is on the floor.
-Norman Dale
by MTN on
Aug 21, 2008 12:21 AM MDT
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I think Coach K. will retire at Duke
He’s already the most powerful college basketball coach. I imagine he has a lot more control at Duke than he ever would have in the NBA. Coaching Team USA gives him more experience, credibility, and name recognition. I think his Olympic experience will help him with recruiting and endorsements.
by tominhawaii on Aug 21, 2008 5:57 AM MDT 0 recs
Coach K won't leave!
Why would he? As has been mentioned, he’s in the perfect situation. He is probably making close to the same amount of money he would make starting out in the NBA. But at Duke he calls all the shots. It’s a power thing. He doesn’t have to deal with overpaid athletes, owners moving guys in and out on him, and if Kobe couldn’t get him to come coach the Lakers ain’t nobody in the NBA getting him to coach for them.
He has it great at Duke. He gets to bring in who HE wants and he has his pick of who HE wants. The players RESPECT him and he pretty much does and gets what he wants. It’s all about crapping in the golden toilet for these guys. He has a legacy going for him at Duke, why tarnish it.
So what’s left for Coach K? Winning another NCAA championship.
by P_Dizzle on Aug 21, 2008 8:10 AM MDT 0 recs
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