Laker Snark, Coach K edition

[kellinator]

Yesterday we were enjoying Brunch of the Living Dead at vernard's when I came bounding out to screech to amary that Coach K had decided not to leave Duke for the Lakers. We then high-fived and turned on ESPN, much to the confusion of some of the guys who couldn't figure out why girls were the ones watching ESPN while the guys ignored it.

So anyway, I'm delighted to see that Coach K was indeed smart enough to stay where he is revered as a god instead of going someplace where he'd just be Kobe's bitch. Not to mention the college and pro games are completely different beasts, and no way would Coach K's style fly in L.A. Can you imagine his reaction to Jack Nicholson?

And is Coach K a lousy liar or what? "No, players leaving early had no impact on my decision. No, Kobe and Shaq possibly leaving had no impact on my decision." Come on, Coach K. If those things didn't have an impact, then how did you make your decision? Flipping a coin? It's okay to sound human. Your fans will love you for it, and the Duke-haters will hate you anyway, so don't sweat it.

Anyway, the pressure of constantly having to come up with three new features for each edition of LakersCenter is clearly starting to wear on the NBA analysts at ESPN. Like all this "Rudy T is the best choice and the players will respect him because he has two championships" bullcrap. First of all, am I the only one who remembers that Tomjanovich was basically forced out at Houston? Second, hardly anyone remembers that he won two championships in Houston, probably because they were during Jordan's first retirement and and therefore most commentators (and Phil Jackson) don't consider them "real" championships. And finally, if the Lakers didn't respect Phil Freakin' Jackson with Nine Freakin' Championships, then who the hell are they going to respect?

And giving props where they're due, I just wanted to thank the Lakers again for exceeding even my wildest expectations of postseason drama. Now I don't even have to get my daily dose of schadenfreude from LJ.

Comments

[39orangestreet.livejournal.com]

I used to frequent a bar in Houston that Rudy T also frequented. I often saw him there after Rockets games.

That is all.

[techempage.livejournal.com]

You don't know what this was all about?

No, it wasn't about kids leaving early or Kobe and Shaq. It was Coach K being the brilliant strategist he's always been.

The major recruiting camps begin July 8. How would you like to have Coach K come up to you and go, "I just turned down the head coaching job with the Lakers. I turned down coaching Kobe and Shaq. I want to coach you! Will you come to Duke?"

And absolutely beautiful piece of strategy from the ex-Army coach! Viva la Duke!

[kellinator.livejournal.com]

Oh, totally. Way to get Duke's new president's first duty making that lifetime contract a little bit sweeter...

[techempage.livejournal.com]

Actually, the grapevine here on campus has it, he wasn't pushing for that much more on income on his contract.

He was looking to increase the salaries for his other coaches and pushed for a training facility that the public won't have access too. Apparently the prez turned down the facility from what I hear; however, I expect it to come up again in a few years. Being a new prez he can't just bend over to the biggest man on campus his first week.

[misanthropist.livejournal.com]

Rudy T. had cancer, that's why he quit coaching Houston.

[kellinator.livejournal.com]

I remember, but wasn't it after he was already in recovery? I seem to remember reports that the front office wanted Van Gundy and sort of orchestrated it.

[misanthropist.livejournal.com]

I don't remember this...in fact, Rudy T. wanted to take off two years, but now he can't because the Lakers is just too great an opportunity for him. Or so he thinks.

I agree with everything else you said, though.