Here is my official take on this whole Bob Knight thing.
One...he should resign from basketball before he breaks Dean Smith's record. Okay, not really...I just don't want him breaking Dean's mark.
Seriously, this isn't a big deal. Not as big of a deal as it has been made into. At least, not on the surface.
If you are reading this...you've played sports at one time or another. And most of us have had a coach slap our helmets, grab our jerseys, grab our arms, hit our shoulderpads or whatever. It is part of sports that isn't pleasant...but it happens. More often than ESPN cameras get a hold of. My feeling is that if the kid has no problem with it and the parents have no problem with it...this should be put to bed. The parents entrusted Knight with their child...and they knew going in that he's a tough love kind of coach.
Again...on the surface.
The problem lies with Knight. Yeah, if this was any coach but Knight, the story wouldn't be as big. Of course not. That's the American way. If you have a history of crap behind you....what you do now affects your judgement. If you committed a small crime but had no history of criminal activity...you might get a light sentence. But if you have a long rap sheet...they are gonna come down a bit harder. That's the way it is. If you have a history of head-butting players, choking players, pulling out bull-whips at press conferences, tossing chairs during exhibition games against the Soviet Union, slamming stuff around your boss' office, and cussing at everyone you've ever met....then, yes, you are going to be looking down upon a bit.
On the other side, don't give me that "well, this isn't as bad as the other stuff Knight has done" crap. What is that?? If OJ Simpson lopped off the head of just one person....does that make it just a bit better since it "isn't as bad as other stuff" he did??
What I wish would happen is that Texas Tech's AD have a little chat with him and tell him to watch himself and don't get into the habit of striking players....errr....students. But, that should be it.
Look I am NOT a fan of Knight's at all. I don't think much of his schtick and I think he has both an anger and accountability problem. Has he ever admitted to doing anything wrong??? Ever??? Yes, he is a great coach and he probably gets more from his players than any coach in the history of college hoops....but this act wears thin.
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